Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites

At a glance

What stands out: Garlic Parmesan chicken bites are pan-fried to crispy perfection, then tossed with butter, fresh garlic, cheese, and parsley to make them extra rich. Add chicken bites to salads, pasta, and more, or enjoy them just as they are!

How long it takes: 20 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: large bowl, skillet
Servings: 4

Chicken Everyone Loves

If we need something fast and reliable, this is it. Same idea as our original chicken bites, Buffalo chicken bites, and garlic butter chicken bites, but a slightly different flavor direction.

Honestly, this one might be the most universally liked of the bunch. A standby part about chicken bites? They take just 10 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking. They’re the epitome of a speedy and straightforward dinner.

What makes them special:

• The reliable texture. Each chicken bite is crispy on the outside and tender inside, with no deep frying needed. A cornstarch coating and pan frying in just a bit of oil does the trick.
• Double the garlicky goodness. These chicken bites are made with garlic powder in the seasoning and fresh garlic in the sauce. Although they’re both garlic, just in different forms, each brings a different flavor to the table. Together, they make the chicken bites doubly rich.
• So many ways to use them. Pair garlic Parmesan chicken bites with a side of balsamic roasted vegetables, toss them with pasta, or serve them over rice or salad. You can even give them to your kids with a bowl of marinara for dipping, like fancy chicken nuggets!

megan Said:

“Our family enjoyed this recipe! The chicken cooks so quickly and is full of flavor.”

See More Reader Reviews

What goes in

We'll comment on a few of the most important ingredients here but be sure to scroll down for the complete recipe.

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: The boneless chicken is a snap to cut into little pieces. The recipe is written for one pound of chicken but it’s easily doubled, as long as you have a large enough skillet so that the chicken bites have enough room to brown and crisp up.
• Seasoning: Season the chicken bites with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. The bites are sautéed in a tablespoon of olive oil, or any oil that is suitable for frying.
• Sauce: The crowning touch is a simple sauce made with fresh minced garlic (4 cloves!), melted butter, and grated Parmesan cheese. Finely chopped fresh parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes (optional) are added to enhance the flavor.

How it comes together

Make the seasoning mixture. Mix cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and pepper in a large bowl (big enough to hold the chicken, too).

Cut the chicken into bites. Slice boneless skinless chicken breasts into half-inch wide strips, then cut those strips into half-inch pieces.

Season the chicken. Toss the chicken in the bowl with the cornstarch mixture, making sure it’s evenly coated.

Cook the chicken. Warm the oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken in a single layer and don’t stir it for 3 to 4 minutes. Then give the chicken a stir and cook it until it’s evenly crisped and golden, 5 to 6 minutes more.

Make it rich. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if you’re using them). Stir to coat the chicken and coax the flavor out of the garlic. (Don’t let the garlic brown!)

Finish. Remove from heat and sprinkle on the Parmesan and parsley. Stir to melt the cheese, then serve.

Ways to serve it

• Pasta/rice: Toss with cooked pasta or gnocchi. This vodka pasta recipe would be reliable! Serve over roasted mushroom risotto—yum!
• On a salad: These tender chicken bites are reliable for adding protein to a Caesar salad (try our from-scratch Caesar dressing) or any salad with Italian flavors, like this asparagus panzanella salad.
• In a bowl: Add chicken bites to any of your favorite meal bowls. They add so much flavor and protein, too. Make a bowl with your favorite cooked grain, roasted sweet potatoes, these chicken bites, and any of your favorite toppings.
• In a wrap: Garlic Parmesan chicken bites are awesome stuffed inside roasted vegetable wraps, or any wrap for that matter!

Keeping leftovers

Refrigerate or freeze: Store leftover garlic Parmesan chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat: Warm up the bites in a nonstick skillet for a few minutes until warmed through, or heat them in the air fryer. If you’re short on time, you can reheat in the microwave but the chicken may get tough and chewy.

• Yield: 4
• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 10 minutes
• Total: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic (minced or pressed)
• ¼ teaspoon red-pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Method

1. Combine cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
2. Dice chicken evenly into small pieces, about ½ inch. We like to cut it into long strips, about ½ inch wide, and then make horizontal cuts, about ½ inch apart. Add chicken to bowl with cornstarch mixture and toss until chicken is evenly coated.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken in a single layer.
4. Cook without moving the chicken bites for 3 to 4 minutes so a golden crust forms. Stir and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes more.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes, if using. Stir to combine, and continue to cook until butter is melted.
6. Remove from heat. Sprinkle the Parmesan and parsley over the chicken and toss until the cheese melts into a light coating.
7. Serve chicken bites immediately with sides of your choice. (See serving suggestions below for more ideas.)

Notes

Pro tips: Take the butter out of the refrigerator a bit ahead of time so it’s not ice cold; it will melt more quickly in the skillet. Don’t overcook the garlic; if it gets too brown, it may taste bitter or burnt.

Serving suggestions: Garlic parmesan chicken bites go well with cooked pasta or rice. They can be added to meal bowls, salads (make a rich chicken Caesar salad!), or roasted vegetables.

Storage & reheating: Leftover chicken bites will keep for 4 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. They can be reheated in a skillet, or briefly in the air fryer. They tend to get a bit chewy in the microwave.