Description

These flavorful Chicken Bites are tender, perfectly seasoned chicken cubes seared to a golden brown and simmered in a rich garlic thyme white wine sauce. Served with a fresh squeeze of lemon, this dish is perfect as an appetizer or a main course alongside mashed potatoes and roasted green beans.

Ingredients

Scale

Seasoning Mix

½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon mustard powder

Chicken and Cooking

1–2 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
Salt to taste (up to 1 ¼ teaspoons used)

Sauce

¾ cup dry white wine
¾ cup chicken broth
¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
4 tablespoons salted butter
4–5 cloves garlic, minced
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

Garnish

Fresh lemon slices (for serving)

Instructions

Prepare the seasoning and ingredients: Combine the onion powder, basil, oregano, pepper, paprika, and mustard powder in a small bowl to make the seasoning mix. Measure out all other ingredients before you begin cooking to ensure a smooth process.
Tenderize the chicken: Place the chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound both sides with a meat mallet to tenderize the meat for more even cooking and tenderness.
Cut and season the chicken: Cut the tenderized chicken into 1-inch cubes. Pat the pieces completely dry with paper towels to ensure a golden sear. Sprinkle the chicken with salt to taste and the prepared seasoning mix, tossing to coat evenly.
Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. In batches, sear the chicken cubes on all sides for about 5 minutes total or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Deglaze the skillet and reduce sauce: Turn off the skillet heat, then add the white wine, chicken broth, and seasoned salt. Turn heat back to medium and use a silicone spatula to scrape the skillet bottom, incorporating the brown fond into the liquid for added flavor. Let this simmer until reduced by half and the alcohol smell dissipates, about 8-10 minutes.
Add aromatics and finish sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the butter, minced garlic, and thyme sprigs. Let the sauce gently simmer for 1-2 minutes to infuse garlic and thyme flavors.
Return chicken to skillet: Add the seared chicken back to the skillet along with any juices collected on the plate. Stir in the minced parsley and toss gently to combine. Allow the dish to heat through for 2-3 minutes so the chicken absorbs the sauce flavors.
Serve: Squeeze fresh lemon slices over the chicken bites before serving. These are great served with toothpicks as appetizers or alongside mashed potatoes and roasted green beans for a hearty meal.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before searing is key to getting a golden, crispy crust.
Make sure the white wine is fully reduced to cook off the alcohol, leaving a smooth flavor.
Fresh thyme and parsley brighten the sauce, but you can substitute dried herbs in a pinch (use about 1 teaspoon each dried).
If not consuming alcohol, you can substitute the white wine with an equal amount of additional chicken broth mixed with a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice for acidity.
Adjust salt levels according to your preference and dietary restrictions.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken bites, seared chicken, garlic thyme chicken, white wine chicken, easy chicken recipe, skillet chicken, appetizer chicken