Description
These Easy Oven Baked Chicken Bites are tender, flavorful, and quick to prepare. Marinated with a blend of aromatic spices and baked to perfection, these chicken bites make a delicious and healthy snack or meal option. Perfectly seasoned and baked with butter for extra richness, they deliver a crispy exterior and juicy interior, ideal for serving over cauliflower rice or enjoying on their own.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 pound (450g) chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon instant chicken stock (optional, reduce salt if using)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 420°F (220ºC) conventional. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, instant chicken stock, and Italian seasoning. Place the chicken cubes in a baking dish, sprinkle the seasoning mixture over them, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat evenly. Dot the chicken with diced unsalted butter for richness.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Halfway through baking (after 8-10 minutes), stir the chicken bites with a spoon to ensure even cooking and browning. For extra crispiness, switch the oven to broil on high for the last 2 minutes until the chicken edges turn golden and crispy.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the baking dish from the oven, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the baked chicken bites, and let them rest for 5 minutes. This resting period helps juices redistribute, keeping the chicken tender.
- Serve: Serve the oven-baked chicken bites over cauliflower rice with a drizzle of the pan juices and a slice of lemon for a fresh, tangy finish.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control spiciness.
- Butter adds richness but can be omitted to reduce fat content.
- For gluten-free version, ensure the instant chicken stock powder contains no gluten.
- Resting the chicken after baking improves juiciness.
- Serve with low-carb sides like cauliflower rice for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Oven baked chicken bites, baked chicken cubes, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken bites, low carb chicken, quick chicken appetizer
