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Tender chicken bites sautéed in garlic butter and served with bright, lemony asparagus. This quick and flavorful dish is perfect for a weeknight meal that's both light and satisfying.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus

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  • Author: Hannah
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Tender chicken bites sautéed in garlic butter and served with bright, lemony asparagus. This quick and flavorful dish is perfect for a weeknight meal that’s both light and satisfying.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the chicken bites:

  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder

For the asparagus and sauce:

  • 2 bunches of asparagus, rinsed and trimmed
  • 1/2 cup butter, divided (1/4 cup for browning the chicken and 1/4 cup for the sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic, divided (1 teaspoon for the chicken bites and 1 teaspoon for the sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbes de Provence
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce, optional (we used Sriracha)
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon minced parsley
  • Crushed red chili pepper flakes, optional
  • Slices of lemon for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken:
    Slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks and season with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Set aside on a shallow plate while preparing the asparagus.
  2. Blanch the Asparagus:
    Wash and trim the ends of the asparagus. Blanch them in boiling water for 2 minutes, then immediately transfer them to ice water to stop the cooking process. This will ensure the asparagus cooks evenly in the skillet. Drain and set aside.
  3. Cook the Chicken:
    Melt 1/4 cup butter with olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken bites and gently stir-fry on all sides until golden brown. Lower the temperature and add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Stir and cook for 1 more minute until the garlic becomes fragrant. Remove the chicken bites from the skillet and set them aside. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
  4. Make the Sauce:
    In the same skillet, add the remaining teaspoon of minced garlic over medium-high heat. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Let the liquid reduce by half. Add the remaining 1/4 cup butter, lemon juice, hot sauce, and parsley, and stir to combine.
  5. Cook the Asparagus:
    Add the blanched asparagus to the skillet and toss for about 2 minutes until tender. Push the asparagus to one side of the skillet.
  6. Reheat the Chicken:
    Add the chicken bites back to the skillet and stir for 1 minute to reheat. Garnish with more parsley, crushed chili pepper flakes, and lemon slices.
  7. Serve:
    Serve the garlic butter chicken bites with the lemon asparagus immediately. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For extra heat, increase the amount of hot sauce or chili flakes.
  • You can swap chicken broth with white wine for added depth of flavor.
  • Serve with a side of rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Serving
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 7g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 130mg