Description
Succulent lemon garlic chicken bites deliver Mediterranean zest with remarkable simplicity. Juicy, herbed chicken morsels promise a quick, flavorful meal that brings Mediterranean sunshine directly to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cloves garlic
Citrus and Seasoning:
- 2 lemons
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Oil and Cooking Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Trim chicken breasts and slice into bite-sized uniform cubes, ensuring each piece is roughly the same size for consistent cooking.
- Mince garlic cloves finely, releasing their aromatic essence and preparing them for maximum flavor infusion.
- Zest one lemon completely, then juice both lemons, creating a bright citrusy marinade for the chicken pieces.
- Combine minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano in a mixing bowl, whisking to create a harmonious seasoning blend.
- Pour the marinade over chicken cubes, gently tossing to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated and let rest for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and shows signs of slight rippling.
- Carefully add marinated chicken pieces to the hot skillet, allowing them to sear without overcrowding, which ensures golden-brown exterior and juicy interior.
- Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally to achieve even caramelization on all sides, maintaining internal temperature of 165°F.
- Reduce heat to low, add butter to the skillet, and gently swirl to create a rich, glossy coating on the chicken bites.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken, providing a final burst of color and herbaceous freshness.
- Transfer lemon garlic chicken bites to a serving platter, allowing them to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving hot.
Notes
- Slice chicken uniformly to guarantee even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Use fresh garlic for more intense flavor, avoiding pre-minced versions which lack potency and complexity.
- Pat chicken dry before marinating to help achieve better caramelization and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Customize marinade by substituting oregano with thyme or rosemary for different herbal undertones.
- For low-carb diets, replace butter with ghee or additional olive oil to maintain richness without added carbohydrates.
- Prevent overcrowding in skillet by cooking chicken in batches, ensuring each piece develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Check internal temperature with meat thermometer to guarantee food safety without overcooking delicate chicken.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg