Description
Garlic Chicken Bites are a flavorful, quick sautéed chicken dish featuring tender bite-sized pieces cooked in garlic-infused olive oil, garnished with fresh parsley for a simple yet delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs chicken breast (boneless, skinless), cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Garlic and Oil
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 20 cloves garlic, divided (15 cloves whole, 5 cloves pressed)
Garnish
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Infuse Oil with Garlic: Pour the olive oil into a medium skillet and add about 15 garlic cloves. Cook over low heat for approximately 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to gently soften and infuse the oil without browning the garlic too quickly.
- Prepare Chicken: While the garlic cooks, trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and cut into 1 inch pieces. Season the chicken evenly with salt and pepper. Press the remaining 5 cloves of garlic and set aside for later use.
- Remove and Reserve Garlic & Oil: Once the garlic cloves are soft and golden brown, carefully remove them from the pan and drain any excess oil, reserving the oil for cooking the chicken.
- Sauté Chicken: Add one tablespoon of the reserved garlic-infused oil back into the pan and heat over high heat. When hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary). Let the chicken cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until browned, then flip and cook the other side for about 1 minute. Stir in the pressed garlic cloves and continue cooking, stirring frequently, for an additional 1-2 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and garlic is fragrant.
- Combine and Serve: Remove the chicken from the pan and return the cooked whole garlic cloves to the pan. Toss the garlic with chopped parsley, then combine with the chicken bites. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Cooking garlic slowly over low heat infuses the oil without burning the garlic for a mellow, sweet flavor.
- If your pan isn’t large enough for all the chicken at once, cooking in batches ensures even browning.
- Use fresh parsley for a bright and fresh garnish to complement the savory garlic chicken.
- This dish pairs well with rice, steamed vegetables, or a light salad for a complete meal.
