Description
Tender and flavorful chicken bites seared to golden perfection and simmered in a rich garlic, white wine, and herb sauce. Perfect as a tasty appetizer or served with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Seasoning Mix
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
Main Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
- Salt (to taste, up to 1 ¼ teaspoons)
- ¾ cup dry white wine
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
- Fresh lemon slices, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Seasonings and Ingredients: Combine all the dry seasoning ingredients (onion powder, basil, oregano, pepper, paprika, mustard powder) in a bowl and set aside. Measure out the rest of the ingredients so that they are ready before cooking.
- Tenderize Chicken: Cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap and gently pound each side with a meat mallet to tenderize the meat and ensure even cooking.
- Cut and Season Chicken: Cut the tenderized chicken into 1-inch cubes. Pat the chicken pieces completely dry to promote a golden sear. Season with salt to taste (about 1¼ teaspoons) and the prepared seasoning mix, tossing to coat evenly.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken cubes in batches, turning so each side is golden brown, about 5 minutes total, until cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Make Sauce Base: Turn off the heat briefly and add the white wine, chicken broth, and seasoned salt to the skillet. Turn the heat back to medium and use a silicone spatula to scrape the browned bits from the bottom and sides of the pan. Simmer the liquid until reduced by half and the alcohol smell dissipates, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Finish Sauce: Lower heat to medium-low. Add butter, minced garlic, and fresh thyme sprigs to the skillet. Let the sauce gently simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to develop flavor and soften the garlic.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with any juices accumulated on the plate. Add the minced fresh parsley and toss gently to combine. Allow the mixture to heat through for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve: Squeeze fresh lemon slices over the chicken bites for brightness. Serve warm with toothpicks as an appetizer or alongside mashed potatoes and roasted green beans for a complete meal.
Notes
- Patting the chicken cubes completely dry before searing is essential for getting a golden crust.
- Simmer the sauce until the white wine aroma is gone to avoid an alcoholic taste.
- Use a silicone spatula to deglaze the pan and incorporate flavorful browned bits into the sauce.
- Fresh herbs like thyme and parsley add vibrant freshness to the finished dish.
- Serve with lemon slices to add a bright, acidic contrast to the rich sauce.
