Description
Succulent lemon garlic chicken bites dance with zesty Mediterranean flavors, bringing a tangy explosion to your dinner table. Crispy edges and juicy centers promise a quick, delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Marinade and Seasoning:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lemons (juice and zest)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Garnish and Finishing:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 extra lemon for serving, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Cube chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Whisk together minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant, zesty marinade.
- Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring each morsel is well-seasoned and infused with aromatic flavors. Cover and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow ingredients to meld.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully arrange marinated chicken pieces in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding to promote proper browning and caramelization.
- Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, turning occasionally to achieve a golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove skillet from heat and let chicken rest for 2-3 minutes to retain moisture and juiciness.
- Transfer chicken bites to a serving platter and generously sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for added color and herbal brightness.
- Garnish with lemon wedges on the side, allowing diners to squeeze additional citrus flavor over the chicken bites just before enjoying.
Notes
- Choose uniform-sized chicken pieces to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Marinate chicken for maximum 20 minutes to prevent texture breakdown from acidic lemon juice.
- Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve better caramelization and crispy exterior without steaming.
- Customize seasoning by swapping oregano with other herbs like thyme or rosemary for varied flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg