Description
These Lemon Garlic Chicken Bites are a quick and flavorful main course featuring tender, bite-sized chicken pieces seared to golden perfection and tossed in a zesty lemon garlic sauce. Perfect for a gluten-free dinner, this easy stovetop recipe combines the brightness of lemon with the aromatic punch of garlic and fresh parsley, making it ideal for serving over rice, pasta, or salads.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings & Marinade
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with lemon pepper seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to warm up until shimmering.
- Sear the chicken: Add the chicken pieces in a single layer to the hot skillet. Cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
- Flip and cook: Turn the chicken pieces over and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until they are golden and cooked through.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning and to release its aroma.
- Incorporate lemon: Pour in the lemon juice and add the lemon zest. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly, then let it simmer for an additional minute so the flavors meld.
- Finish and garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the chicken. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for extra zest.
Notes
- Serve these chicken bites over rice, pasta, or toss them into salads for a complete meal.
- For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil for 30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Ensure the skillet is hot before adding the chicken to achieve a nice sear.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best bright citrus flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American