Oven Baked Chicken Bites

Name: Oven Baked Chicken Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon sea salt; ½ teaspoons garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ¼ teaspoons black pepper; ¼ teaspoon dried thyme; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons butter, diced

Tender and juicy oven baked chicken bites the whole family will love! The chicken pieces bake up in the oven in just 15 minutes, making it the perfect protein-packed weeknight meal.

Oven baked chicken bites on a plate with a spoon served over rice and grilled vegetables.

I love chicken, but I’m not a huge fan of eating whole chicken breast. And the bigger problem? Neither are my kids. While I regularly make grilled chicken skewers and gluten free chicken tenders, these oven baked chicken bites have become our FAVORITE weeknight meal!

I make this weekly because it’s a one-pan meal I can prep in a flash when I’m in need of a last minute dinner idea, which is often. Because the chicken is cut into pieces, it bakes up in just 15 minutes. Best of all, the whole family loves it!

The secret to juicy and tender oven baked chicken bites? It’s the butter on top! Cold butter, to be exact. As the chicken bakes up, the cold butter melts and keeps the chicken moist. The flavor is out-of-this-world good, and it’s an easy protein that pairs with any side.

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Ingredient Notes

Ingredients in the recipe, including olive oil, paprika, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, chicken breast, salt, pepper, and butter.

Chicken breast: Use boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe. Make sure to cut it up into bite-sized pieces that are similar in shape and thickness so they cook evenly. Slice the chicken against the grain, then cut the slices into cubes to keep it nice and tender.
Sea salt: Use an unrefined sea salt for the best flavor and added minerals.
Olive oil: The oil helps the seasoning stick to the chicken and adds flavor and moisture.
Butter: Use unsalted butter right out of the fridge. Cube it up, and add it on top of the chicken. As the chicken cooks, the butter melts and keeps the chicken juicy and moist!

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations

Chicken – Chicken breasts offer the best texture, but you can use chicken thighs in recipe as well!

Olive oil – This recipe will work with other cooking oils, like avocado oil.

Paprika – You can also use chili powder for a kick.

Thyme – Swap this for dried oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning.

How to Make Oven Baked Chicken Bites

Step by step instructions for how to make the recipe, including raw chicken in the pan, chicken tossed with the spices and olive oil, chicken with the butter cubes, and the chicken bites after being baked in the oven.

Prep: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the chicken pieces in a medium baking dish.
Mix: In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, sea salt, garlic, onion, black pepper, and thyme. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken in the pan. Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken and mix everything together until the chicken is coated. Spread the chicken pieces apart so they are evenly spaced in the pan.
Butter: Place the butter cubes around the chicken in the pan.
Bake: Bake for 15 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) using a meat thermometer.
Serve: Serve warm over rice or roasted vegetables.

Recipe Tips

Keep it bite-sized. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces that are similar in shape and thickness so they cook evenly. While smaller than normal, this helps the chicken cook up quickly.
Use cold butter. Cube it up, and spread it evenly on top of the chicken in the pan. While the chicken bites baked in the oven, the butter will slowly melt and make it moist and juicy!
Meal prep for easy cooking. Busy on weeknights? Cut up your chicken up to 24 hours in advances and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also mix up your spices ahead of time. Assemble and get it in the oven in under 5 minutes!

A serving platter with pieces of baked chicken.

FAQs

Can you bake chicken pieces in the oven?

Yes, it is possible to bake chicken bites in the oven without them becoming too dry! Just make sure to coat the chicken in olive oil, and top it with cold butter in the pan. The butter keeps it from drying out. Because the chicken is cut into pieces, it cooks up fast and makes for a super easy, family-friendly dinner!

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, I double the recipe every time I make it. Just bake 2 pounds of chicken in a 9 x 13 pan. Double the olive oil and spices, and use the same amount of butter.

Do I need to marinate the chicken?

Nope! The chicken will get plenty of flavor from the olive oil, spices, and butter when cooking.

Ways to Serve

The best part about this recipe? It goes with anything! Here are my favorite ways to serve it:

Over a bed of jasmine rice
On top of a salad like my classic house salad
Alongside potatoes, like crispy roasted sweet potatoes or smashed fingerling potatoes
With a side of rainbow roasted vegetables

My kids love eating chicken bites over jasmine rice with a tiny drizzle of maple syrup! I know that sounds crazy, but it gives the chicken an insanely delicious sweet and savory combination. It’s become my picky eater’s favorite meal!

A tan plate with rice, vegetables, and chicken bites with a fork on a table ready to eat.

Storage

STORE: Because the chicken bites stays moist when baking in the oven, leftovers taste great! Store any extra in the fridge in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.

FREEZE: To freeze, place the chicken in an airtight storage container or freezer safe storage bag. It will keep in the freezer up to three months. Let it defrost in the refrigerator before reheating.

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Recipe

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