Irresistible One-Pan Low Carb Garlic Mushroom Chicken Bites: Your Easiest Weeknight Dinner Solution
Welcome to your new favorite weeknight dinner! These Low Carb Garlic Mushroom Chicken Bites are incredibly simple to prepare, requiring just one skillet for a dish that’s bursting with flavor. Get ready for an explosion of taste that will truly blow your mind!
Imagine tender, perfectly seared chicken bites cooked in rich, buttery pan juices infused with aromatic herbs and savory spices. This recipe is designed for anyone short on time but unwilling to compromise on taste. All you need is a single pan, a trusty wooden spoon, and your stovetop. It’s truly that simple!
What Makes These Low Carb Chicken Bites Special?
When you hear “chicken bites,” your mind might automatically jump to classic chicken nuggets or breaded, bite-sized pieces like crispy chicken strips or tenders. While those are delicious, our Low Carb Garlic Mushroom Chicken Bites offer a unique and healthier alternative. We’ve completely skipped the breadcrumbs to keep it low carb, instead loading every piece with an abundance of natural flavors that will make your palate sing.
The true magic of this recipe lies in the incredible sauce that forms directly in the pan. As the mushrooms cook down, they release their earthy juices, which beautifully meld with butter, garlic, and our special blend of seasonings. This creates a tantalizing, rich sauce that coats every succulent piece of chicken, elevating the dish to a whole new level. You’ll find yourself wondering why you ever needed breading!
Much like our popular garlic mushroom chicken thighs, these easy chicken bites are incredibly low fuss and can be on your plate in mere minutes. This is a delightful departure from more indulgent recipes like Chinese lemon chicken, offering a lighter, healthier option that’s kind to your waistline. You can truly savor these tender, healthy chicken bites without a hint of guilt, making them a perfect addition to your low-carb or keto meal plan.
Mastering the Sear: How Long to Cook Cubed Chicken
Achieving perfectly cooked, juicy chicken bites with a beautiful golden sear is key to this recipe’s success. We recommend cutting your chicken thighs into approximately 1-inch (2cm) bite-sized pieces. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly. In a hot pan, these small pieces will only need about 5-6 minutes to cook through, browning nicely on all sides.
One crucial tip for getting that desired sear and preventing your chicken from boiling instead of browning is to avoid overcrowding the pan. If your skillet isn’t large enough to accommodate all the chicken in a single layer with some space between pieces, it’s always best to cook them in two separate batches. This strategy accomplishes three important things:
- **Avoids Overcrowding:** Too many pieces in the pan will lower the temperature, causing the chicken to steam rather than sear.
- **Prevents Boiling:** With sufficient space, moisture can evaporate, allowing the chicken to caramelize and brown.
- **Ensures a Golden Sear:** Each piece gets direct contact with the hot pan, resulting in that irresistible golden-brown crust.
Once your chicken bites are seared and cooked through, transfer them to a plate and set them aside. You’ll then cook the mushrooms, shallots, and bell peppers, building the flavorful sauce. Finally, those delicious garlic mushroom chicken bites will be added back to the pan to warm through and soak up all the incredible pan juices for another minute or two, ensuring every bite is infused with flavor!
Delightful Serving Suggestions: What Do You Eat With These Chicken Bites?
The true beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility; it’s already fully loaded with an array of delicious ingredients! The mushrooms, bell peppers, and shallots contribute fantastic flavor and texture, making it a substantial meal on its own. However, you have plenty of options to customize your meal based on your dietary preferences and cravings.
- **For a Low Carb Feast:** Serve these flavorful chicken bites over a bed of fluffy cauliflower rice, spiralized zucchini noodles, or steamed green vegetables like broccoli or asparagus. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette would also complement the richness of the dish beautifully.
- **For a Heartier Meal:** If you’re not strictly low carb, these chicken bites are fantastic over plain white or brown rice, or tossed with egg noodles for a comforting meal. The rich pan sauce is perfect for soaking up with your chosen carb.
- **Creative Culinary Combinations:**
For the ultimate flavor bomb, consider piling spoonfuls of your garlic mushroom chicken bites onto toasted garlic bread for a quick and incredibly tasty snack or appetizer. If you adore garlicky flavors, you might also love our Garlic Butter Baked Salmon. For a savory explosion that perfectly complements these bites, try pairing them with my Portobello Pizzas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN CHICKEN BITES ARE COOKED?
Your best friend in the kitchen for this is a reliable meat thermometer! Simply insert the thermometer into the center of the largest mushroom chicken bite. If the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), your chicken is perfectly cooked and safe to eat. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can use the “poke method.” Find a knife or skewer and make a small cut or poke into a piece of chicken. If the juices run clear, the chicken is ready. If the juices are still pink, it needs a little more time in the pan.
CAN I USE CHICKEN BREAST INSTEAD OF THIGHS?
Yes, you can absolutely use boneless, skinless chicken breast. However, chicken breast tends to be leaner and can dry out more easily than thighs. To prevent this, be extra careful not to overcook it. The cooking time might be slightly shorter. Chicken thighs, with their higher fat content, offer more flavor and tend to stay juicier, which is why they’re often preferred for dishes like this.
IS THIS RECIPE GOOD FOR MEAL PREP?
Absolutely! These garlic mushroom chicken bites are fantastic for meal prepping. Cook a larger batch, let it cool completely, then portion it into airtight containers. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop. Pair it with cauliflower rice or steamed veggies for easy low-carb lunches or dinners throughout the week.
HOW SHOULD I STORE AND REHEAT LEFTOVERS?
Store any leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for a quick warm-up, or for best results, gently warm them in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce seems too thick.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Explore
If you loved this recipe, you might enjoy these other chicken dishes:
- Chicken Thighs With Creamy Mushroom Garlic Sauce
- Crispy Beer Chicken with Mushroom Gravy
- Chicken Stroganoff
Mushroom Chicken Bites
Karina
15 mins
30 mins
45 mins
4 – 6 serves
Low Carb Mushroom Chicken Bites is the easiest dinner to throw together! Do it all in one skillet and let the flavors BLOW YOUR MIND! All cooked in buttery pan juices filled with herbs and spices. You will LOVE this new easy dinner recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil, divided
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch (2cm) pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 8 ounces sliced brown mushrooms
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon brown shallot, chopped
- 1 tablespoon green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces. Season generously with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Sear the chicken all over until beautifully browned and cooked through, which should take about 5-6 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate, set aside, and keep warm.
- In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil along with 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until they just begin to brown and soften, approximately 3-4 minutes. They will release moisture and start to develop a lovely color.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Let it melt, then sauté the chopped shallots and bell peppers until they are soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until its aroma fills your kitchen. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Return the cooked chicken back into the pan, along with any juices that may have collected on the plate. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly to evenly coat the chicken and vegetables in the rich pan juices. Continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until all the vegetables are tender and the chicken is fully warmed through.
- Taste test the dish and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm immediately. Enjoy your effortless and delicious low carb meal!
Notes
OPTIONAL ADD-INS: For those who love a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of chili powder, red pepper flakes, or a dash of sriracha to the pan with the seasonings.
ADAPTED from our Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs recipe.
Nutrition
Calories: 298kcal |
Carbohydrates: 5g |
Protein: 24g |
Fat: 20g |
Saturated Fat: 7g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 8g |
Trans Fat: 0.4g |
Cholesterol: 130mg |
Sodium: 465mg |
Potassium: 597mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 1g |
Vitamin A: 608IU |
Vitamin C: 6mg |
Calcium: 51mg |
Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only.
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