Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites are crispy, oven-baked chicken pieces coated in a flavorful cowboy butter sauce made with melted butter, fresh parsley, Dijon mustard, garlic, lemon juice, and spices. Perfect as a savory appetizer or snack, these bite-sized treats combine a satisfying crunch with a zesty, buttery coating.
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: 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 the chicken from sticking.
- Season Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Prepare Breading Station: Set up three separate shallow dishes; one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs for the breading process.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the flour, shaking off any excess, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well.
- Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the breaded chicken bites on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray for extra crispiness.
- Bake Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Make Cowboy Butter: While the chicken bakes, combine the melted butter, chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, lemon juice, and smoked paprika in a medium bowl. Mix well until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Coat Chicken: When the chicken bites are done, remove them from the oven and immediately toss them in the prepared cowboy butter sauce until each piece is well coated for maximum flavor.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier texture.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for more or less heat.
- Leftover cowboy butter can be used as a dipping sauce or brushed on grilled vegetables.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to guarantee safety.
