Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Asparagus (Printable View)
Golden chicken bites in garlic butter with fresh asparagus ready in 25 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
→ Asparagus
05 - 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
→ Sauce & Aromatics
06 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
# How-To Steps:
01 - Season the chicken pieces thoroughly with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, ensuring even coating on all sides.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts and begins to shimmer.
03 - Arrange chicken in a single layer without overcrowding. Sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer chicken to a plate and reserve.
04 - Add remaining olive oil to the same skillet. Add asparagus pieces and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until crisp-tender and vibrant green in color.
05 - Push asparagus to one side of the skillet. Add remaining butter and minced garlic to the cleared space. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
06 - Return chicken to the skillet along with red pepper flakes and lemon juice. Toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes until well coated and heated through. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
- The garlic butter sauce turns simple ingredients into something restaurant worthy
- Ready in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent all day cooking
02 -
- Do not crowd the pan when searing chicken or it will steam instead of getting that golden crust
- Garlic can go from fragrant to burnt in seconds, so watch it closely once it hits the pan
03 -
- A cast iron skillet holds heat beautifully and gives the best sear on the chicken
- Extra sauce over rice or mashed potatoes is absolutely worth it