Description
Savory lemon garlic chicken bites bring Mediterranean zest to your dinner table with their tangy, herb-infused flavor profile. Juicy chicken pieces marinated in citrus and garlic create an effortless meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Cooking and Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: red pepper flakes to taste
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by cutting into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Combine minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant, aromatic marinade.
- Gently toss chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly coated with the zesty seasoning blend.
- Allow chicken to marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, letting the flavors deeply penetrate the meat.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and appears slightly rippling.
- Carefully add marinated chicken pieces to the hot skillet, arranging them in a single layer to promote optimal browning and caramelization.
- Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally to achieve a golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add butter to the skillet, creating a rich, glossy coating that enhances the chicken’s flavor.
- Sprinkle fresh parsley and optional red pepper flakes over the chicken, adding a burst of color and optional heat.
- Transfer lemon garlic chicken bites to a serving plate, allowing them to rest for 2-3 minutes to retain moisture and distribute juices.
Notes
- Cutting chicken uniformly ensures each bite cooks evenly and delivers consistent texture and flavor throughout the dish.
- Marinating for precisely 15-20 minutes allows maximum flavor absorption without breaking down meat proteins, keeping chicken tender and juicy.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for deeper, richer taste and better caramelization during cooking process.
- For gluten-free variation, confirm all seasoning ingredients are certified gluten-free and substitute any wheat-based components if necessary.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg