If you’re looking for a simple yet flavorful dinner, Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus is a perfect choice. This dish is packed with rich, savory garlic butter flavors and a hint of freshness from the lemon and herbs, making it a real winner for your weeknight meals. The chicken is tender and golden-brown, and the asparagus is perfectly cooked in the same delicious garlic butter sauce. Best of all, this recipe comes together in just about 30 minutes!
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Bites:
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 cup butter, divided (1/4 cup for browning the chicken and 1/4 cup for the sauce)
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic (1 teaspoon for the chicken bites and 1 teaspoon for the asparagus and sauce)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbes de Provence
1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, we used Sriracha)
For the Asparagus:
2 bunches of asparagus, rinsed and trimmed
1/2 cup (125ml) low-sodium chicken broth
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tablespoon minced parsley
Crushed red chili pepper flakes (optional)
Slices of lemon for garnish
Directions:
Prepare the Chicken and Asparagus: Begin by slicing the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season them with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Let the chicken rest on a plate while you prepare the asparagus.
Blanch the Asparagus: Rinse and trim the asparagus, then blanch it by boiling for 2 minutes. Afterward, immediately place the asparagus in ice water to stop the cooking process. This ensures the asparagus will cook evenly when sautéed later. Drain the asparagus and set aside. (Skip this step if your asparagus is thin.)
Cook the Chicken: In a large cast-iron skillet, melt 1/4 cup of butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken bites and sauté them until golden brown on all sides. If necessary, work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth (or wine), and bring it to a simmer. Let the broth reduce by half before adding the remaining 1/4 cup butter, lemon juice, hot sauce, and parsley. Stir to combine.
Cook the Asparagus: Add the blanched asparagus to the skillet and toss for 2 minutes to heat through. Push the asparagus to one side of the pan, then add the cooked chicken bites back into the skillet. Stir everything together and let it heat for another minute.
Serve: Garnish with additional parsley, crushed red chili flakes, and lemon slices. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus!
This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, quinoa, or even a light salad. It’s a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and fresh, and it’s guaranteed to become a go-to recipe in your kitchen.
