Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites are small, juicy pieces of chicken coated in a light breading, pan-seared or air-fried until golden, then tossed in a rich garlic-butter-Parmesan sauce. They’re easy to make, ready in under 30 minutes, and ideal for weeknight dinners or party platters.
Time Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
For the Chicken Bites
Chicken breast or thighs 500 g
Olive oil 1 tbsp
All-purpose flour ¼ cup
Paprika ½ tsp
Garlic powder ½ tsp
Salt ½ tsp
Black pepper ¼ tsp
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Olive Oil 3 tbsp
Garlic 4 cloves, minced
Parmesan cheese ½ cup, finely grated
Fresh parsley 2 tbsp, chopped
Red pepper flakes a pinch
Instructions
Step 1 – Prep the chicken
Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
In a bowl, toss chicken with olive oil.
Mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in another bowl.
Coat chicken pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
Step 2 – Cook the chicken
Pan-fry method:
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Cook chicken pieces 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
Air fryer method:
Spray basket with oil.
Air fry chicken at 200°C (400°F) for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crispy.
Step 3 – Make the sauce
In a separate small pan, melt butter over medium-low heat.
Add minced garlic and saute for 30–40 seconds until fragrant (don’t burn).
Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Step 4 – Combine
Toss cooked chicken bites in the garlic-Parmesan butter sauce until well coated.
Sprinkle extra Parmesan and parsley before serving.
Notes & Tips
For extra crispiness: Double-coat chicken — dip in beaten egg, then flour mixture.
Cheese choice: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melting.
Make ahead: Cook chicken ahead of time and reheat in the oven, then toss in sauce before serving.
Low-carb version: Skip flour and just season chicken before cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes, thighs stay juicier and work great for this recipe.
Q2: Can I bake them instead of frying?
Yes, bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway.
Q3: How do I prevent garlic from burning?
Cook it on low heat and add it to butter after removing from the heat source.
Nutritional Value
Calories: 310 kcal
Protein: 29 g
Fat: 17 g
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Sodium: 480 mg