Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are a flavorful and crispy appetizer featuring tender chicken pieces baked to perfection and tossed in a zesty, buttery sauce infused with garlic, smoked paprika, and fresh parsley. Perfect as a party snack or a savory treat, this recipe combines simple ingredients with bold flavors for a delicious, easy-to-make dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Olive oil spray
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it lightly with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Season Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs for coating.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the flour, shaking off excess, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere well.
- Arrange Chicken on Baking Sheet: Place the breaded chicken pieces spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray for extra crispiness.
- Bake Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the chicken bites are golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine melted butter, chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, lemon juice, and smoked paprika in a medium bowl. Stir until well blended.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Once baked, remove chicken bites from the oven and immediately toss them in the prepared cowboy butter sauce until they are well coated.
- Serve: Serve hot with extra cowboy butter sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh parsley for the best flavor in the cowboy butter sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through; internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for extra flavor if desired.
