Description
Lemon Garlic Chicken Bites are a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces seared to golden perfection, then tossed in a zesty lemon-garlic sauce with hints of honey and soy. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe combines savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, served best over rice or your favorite side.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Sauce & Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
For Serving
- Lemon slices for serving (optional)
- Cooked rice or other sides for serving
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor and ensure a good sear.
- Heat Oil: Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for searing the chicken.
- Sear Chicken: Place chicken pieces in a single layer in the hot skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes on each side, until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Remove Chicken: Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside to rest while you prepare the sauce.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Lower the skillet heat to medium, add the remaining olive oil, then stir in minced garlic, red chili flakes (if using), lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 30–45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in lemon juice, honey, and soy sauce. Simmer the mixture for 1–2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan to blend all flavors thoroughly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the seared chicken to the skillet and toss well to coat all pieces evenly with the lemon garlic sauce. Let simmer together for another 1–2 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken and add lemon slices for garnish. Serve hot over cooked rice or your preferred side dishes for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier bites, but breasts work perfectly as well.
- Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for no heat.
- Maple syrup can replace honey for a vegan option when paired with coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Ensure chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
