Cowboy Chicken Bites are bold, buttery, and oven-baked to perfection. Juicy chunks of chicken breast are tossed with smoky spices and drizzled with olive oil, then baked with cubed butter for a rich, flavorful finish. You can also make it in an air fryer! I’m always looking for new ways to serve chicken, and this is a seriously delicious way to break out of a chicken rut! If you love these, be sure to check out my Oven Baked Chicken Bites for another quick, flavorful way to enjoy chicken!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken: I prefer boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, but chicken thighs would also be a flavorful option. Just be sure to cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F. For the best results, cut the chicken into equal-sized pieces.
- Dry Mustard: Dry mustard adds a tangy, slightly sharp flavor to the chicken that pairs well with the spices. If you don’t have dry mustard, you can substitute regular yellow mustard. But, keep in mind it will add extra moisture, so you might want to adjust the amount of olive oil or butter to keep the dish from being too wet.
- Herbs: In this recipe, dried chives, parsley, and thyme add a savory, herby flavor to the chicken. These dried herbs are easy to use when fresh ones aren’t available, and they help make the chicken taste delicious.
- Spices: The spices in this recipe, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes, add a nice kick to the chicken. They give it a perfect balance of savory, smoky, and spicy flavors that make each bite exciting!
- Butter: Cubes of butter (I used unsalted) are added before baking to melt evenly over the chicken as it cooks. This helps create a rich, flavorful coating, keeping the chicken moist and adding a buttery finish to each bite.
Can I Use Fresh Herbs Instead Of Dried In Cowboy Chicken Bites?
Yes, you can definitely use fresh herbs in these Cowboy Chicken Bites! For the best results, use about three times the amount of fresh herbs as you would dry. This is about 3 teaspoons, or 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs for every 1 teaspoon of dried. Just be sure to chop them finely and add them in the same way as the dried herbs.
Are Cowboy Chicken Bites Spicy?
I did not find these Cowboy Chicken Bites very spicy! I got just a slight kick from the cayenne and red pepper flakes. But, they were far from too spicy (and I don’t have a high tolerance for heat). However, if you’re worried about them being too hot, feel free to leave out the cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or both!
Why Are They Called Cowboy Chicken Bites?
Cowboy Chicken Bites are called that because they are packed with bold flavors, kind of like the hearty, strong flavors you might imagine on a cowboy’s plate. The spices and seasonings give them a “kick,” and they’re simple, satisfying, and full of flavor! If that sounds like your kind of food, check out my Cowboy Burrito and Cowboy Beans for more hearty flavors in each bite!
Best Side Dishes To Serve With Cowboy Chicken Bites
Since Cowboy Chicken Bites have bold flavors, here are some delicious side dishes that pair perfectly with them:
- Corn on the Cob
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes (or Cauliflower Mashed for a lighter version) I like to serve the chicken bites right on top of the potatoes!
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Coleslaw
- Air Fryer French Fries (or Sweet Potato Fries)
- Macaroni and Cheese
Can I Make Cowboy Chicken Bites In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can make these cowboy chicken bites in an air fryer. Mix the seasonings as instructed and coat the chicken with olive oil. You won’t need to use the butter during cooking, but you can melt it over the chicken after it’s done in the air fryer for extra flavor. Set your air fryer to 375°F (or 380°F, depending on your air fryer’s settings) and cook for 8-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
How To Store and Reheat Cowboy Chicken Bites
To store leftover Cowboy Chicken Bites, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When ready to reheat, use the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to keep them a little crispy. You can also microwave them, but the air fryer works best to restore the crispy texture.
Cowboy Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 2 chicken breasts)
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.* Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Add the cubed chicken directly to the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, stir together the dry mustard, chives, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes until evenly mixed.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken. Then, drizzle with olive oil and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Top with cubed butter, spacing it across the chicken.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then stir the chicken. After stirring, return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 8–10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F and the edges are lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (or 380°F, depending on your air fryer’s settings).
- To a large bowl, add cubed chicken.
- In a separate small bowl, stir together the dry mustard, chives, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes until evenly mixed.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken. Then, drizzle with olive oil and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding for even cooking. Do not place butter over the chicken at this stage.
- Cook the chicken for 8-12 minutes, or until fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Optional: After cooking, melt butter over the chicken for added flavor if desired.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
These chicken bites are full of flavor and so easy to make! They will be cooked on repeat at my house!
Elizabeth
These are great. I am going to give these a shot at home. I loved the flavors!
Stephanie
Quick, tasty, and a great way to switch up chicken night!
Annabelle
These are perfect for busy nights, but still packed with flavor!
Bella
I like the little bit of kick in these chicken bites. I could handle even more, but they are really good!
