Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Asparagus (Printable Version)
Tender chicken bites in rich garlic butter sauce with crisp asparagus make a perfect quick weeknight meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp paprika
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
→ Sauce
06 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 5 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
10 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
→ To Finish
11 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Toss the chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and paprika in a large bowl until evenly coated.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add asparagus to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add lemon juice and half of the parsley. Toss everything together and cook for 2 more minutes to combine flavors. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining parsley and lemon wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
- The garlic butter sauce clings to every bite making forkfuls impossibly rich
02 -
- Crowding the pan will steam the chicken instead of searing it so work in batches if your skillet is smaller than 12 inches
- Garlic burns faster than you think so have your asparagus ready to go the second you add the garlic to the pan
03 -
- Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning to get the best golden sear
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly than cold straight from the fridge