These Cowboy Chicken Bites are the kind of easy dinner you’ll make on repeat juicy chicken cubes tossed in bold pantry spices, baked until lightly browned, then finished with buttery goodness for serious flavor. They’re fast (under 30 minutes!), kid-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something cozy without standing over the stove. Serve them with rice, mashed potatoes, salad, or tuck them into wraps for a quick meal. If you’re searching for easy baked chicken bites or a simple weeknight chicken dinner, this recipe checks every box: flavorful, fuss-free, and so satisfying.
table of contents
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Servings: 3
Ingredients List
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp dried chives
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- ⅛ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Cooking spray
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Tongs or spatula
- Instant-read thermometer (optional but helpful)
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven: Heat to 425°F (220°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add chicken: Place chicken cubes in the dish in an even layer.
- Mix seasoning: In a small bowl, stir together dry mustard, chives, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, cayenne, and red pepper flakes.
- Season + coat: Sprinkle seasoning over chicken. Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently until coated. 😊
- Add butter: Scatter butter cubes across the chicken so it melts into the bites. 🧈
- Bake: Bake 10 minutes, then stir to redistribute the butter and juices.
- Finish baking: Bake 8–10 minutes more until edges are lightly browned and chicken reaches 165°F.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Pro Tips
- Even cooking: Cut chicken into similar-size cubes so everything finishes together.
- Extra crispy edges: Spread chicken in a single layer (don’t overcrowd).
- Meal prep: Store leftovers up to 4 days in the fridge; reheat in air fryer for best texture.
- Serving ideas: Great over rice, in tacos, on salads, or with roasted veggies.
Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | 363 | 32g | 3g | 24g | 1g | 1g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
Cowboy Chicken Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add chicken cubes to the baking dish in an even layer.
- In a small bowl, mix dry mustard, chives, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, cayenne, and red pepper flakes.
- Sprinkle seasoning over chicken. Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently to coat.
- Top with cubed butter, spacing it across the chicken.
- Bake 10 minutes, stir, then bake 8–10 minutes more until chicken reaches 165°F and edges are lightly browned.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
- For air fryer method: Preheat air fryer to 375–380°F. Toss chicken with seasoning and olive oil. Air fry 8–12 minutes, shaking halfway, until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Optional: melt butter over cooked chicken before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
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Let us know how it was!Conclusion
Cowboy Chicken Bites are buttery, bold, and ridiculously easym perfect for quick dinners, meal prep, and crowd-pleasing flavor with minimal effort.