Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Asparagus

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This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Asparagus recipe is a winner for dinnertime! It’s packed with bold flavors, juicy chicken, and crisp asparagus, all tossed together in a garlicky butter sauce. The best part? It’s super easy to throw together and comes together in under 30 minutes!

Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for a quick, low-carb meal or something delicious and nutritious, this dish checks all the boxes! 🍽️✨

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Quick & Easy – This dish is ready in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect go-to recipe for busy weeknights.

✔ One-Pan Meal – Everything is cooked in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze and keeping things simple.

✔ Packed with Flavor – A rich, buttery garlic sauce coats the juicy chicken bites and perfectly cooked asparagus, creating an irresistible combination.

✔ Healthy & Nutritious – High in protein, low in carbs, and packed with essential vitamins and minerals from asparagus.

✔ Great for Meal Prep – This dish stores and reheats beautifully, making it a fantastic option for prepping ahead.

✔ Customizable – Want more heat? Add extra red chili flakes. Prefer different veggies? Swap the asparagus for broccoli, green beans, or bell peppers.

✔ Family-Friendly – Even picky eaters will love the buttery, garlicky goodness of this dish!

✔ Works with Different Diets – Naturally gluten-free and keto-friendly, and easily adaptable to dairy-free with simple swaps.

🔹 Prep & Cooking Details:

• ⏳ Prep Time: 10 minutes
• 🔥 Cook Time: 20 minutes
• 🍽️ Servings: 4

🔹 Ingredients:

For the Chicken Bites:

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ½ cup butter, softened (divided)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, we used Sriracha)
• ½ cup chicken stock (or white wine for extra flavor)
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 1 tablespoon parsley, minced
• Red chili pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Salt & black pepper, to taste

For the Asparagus:

• 2 bunches asparagus, rinsed and trimmed
• Lemon slices, for garnish

🔹 Directions:

Step 1: Prep the Chicken & Asparagus

1️⃣ Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks and season with salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Let sit while prepping asparagus. 2️⃣ Wash and trim the asparagus. Blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes, then transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. This ensures even cooking. (Skip this step if using thin asparagus.)

Step 2: Cook the Chicken Bites

3️⃣ Heat ½ of the butter and olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. 4️⃣ Stir-fry the chicken bites on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Reduce heat, add 1 teaspoon minced garlic and Italian seasoning, and cook until fragrant. 5️⃣ Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside. (Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.)

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

6️⃣ In the same skillet, add the remaining minced garlic and deglaze with chicken broth or wine. Simmer and reduce by half. 7️⃣ Stir in remaining butter, lemon juice, hot sauce, and parsley, then let it simmer for 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Cook the Asparagus & Combine

8️⃣ Toss in the blanched asparagus and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. 9️⃣ Add the chicken bites back to the skillet, tossing everything together for 1-2 minutes until reheated.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

🔟 Garnish with extra parsley, crushed red chili flakes, and lemon slices. Serve immediately and enjoy! 🍽️

✨ Pro Tips:

✔️ Use a Cast-Iron Skillet – Helps achieve the perfect sear on the chicken. ✔️ Don’t Overcrowd the Pan – Cook chicken in batches to keep it crispy instead of steaming. ✔️ Deglazing is Key – Scrape up the browned bits in the skillet when adding broth or wine for extra flavor. ✔️ Spice It Up – Add extra red pepper flakes or cayenne for heat. ✔️ Make It Creamy – Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end for a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce. ✔️ Low-Carb/Keto-Friendly – This dish is naturally low-carb and high-protein.

🔹 Nutrition (Per Serving):

• 🔥 Calories: 385 kcal
• 🥩 Protein: 38g
• 🧈 Fat: 23g
• 🥦 Carbs: 7g
• 🧂 Sodium: 420mg
• 🍋 Sugar: 2g

🔹 Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️

✔ Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes for a fast and flavorful meal. ✔ One-Pan Meal – Less cleanup and easy cooking in a single skillet. ✔ Packed with Flavor – The garlic butter sauce + juicy chicken + crisp asparagus is a winning combo! ✔ Healthy & Nutritious – High in protein, low in carbs, and loaded with essential nutrients. ✔ Family-Friendly – A dish that everyone loves, even picky eaters! ✔ Great for Meal Prep – Stores well and reheats beautifully for leftovers.

🔹 Storage & Reheating

How to Store Leftovers:

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months.

How to Reheat:

• Stovetop: Heat in a skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, adding a little butter or broth to prevent drying out.
• Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals until warm.

🔹 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will add extra juiciness and flavor.

2. Can I make this dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap butter for ghee or olive oil.

3. What other veggies can I use?

You can swap asparagus for broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, or green beans.

4. How can I make it creamier?

Add a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk when making the sauce.

5. Can I make this in the air fryer?

Yes! Cook chicken bites at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway through. Air fry asparagus at 375°F for 5 minutes.

🔹 Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Asparagus recipe is a must-try if you love easy, flavorful, and healthy meals! With its rich garlic butter sauce, juicy chicken, and crisp-tender asparagus, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that’s sure to impress. 😋

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