Lemon Chicken Bites Recipe

Chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces, these are the main protein of the dish.

Lemon: Freshly juiced to provide a tangy marinade.

Garlic: Minced to add a robust flavor to the marinade.

Olive oil: Used in the marinade and for cooking the chicken.

Dried oregano: Adds a Mediterranean touch to the flavor profile.

Flour: Used to dredge the chicken pieces, giving them a crispy coating.

Chicken broth: Poured into the pan to create a savory sauce.

When marinating the chicken pieces, make sure to massage the lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and oregano into the meat thoroughly. This helps the flavors penetrate deeper, resulting in a more flavorful dish. Additionally, after dredging the chicken in flour, shake off any excess to ensure a light, crispy coating when cooked.

• Chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and flavor profile to chicken breasts, making them a suitable alternative.

• Lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime juice provides a similar acidic and citrusy flavor, which can mimic the taste of lemon in the recipe.

• Garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder flavor compared to garlic but still add a depth of flavor to the dish.

• Olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a similar smoke point, making it a good alternative for cooking.

• Dried oregano - Substitute with dried thyme: Dried thyme has a slightly different flavor but can still provide an aromatic herbaceous note to the dish.

• Flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used as a thickening agent and provides a similar texture to flour when coating the chicken.

• Chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can replace chicken broth, offering a similar savory base while keeping the dish flavorful.

• Allow the lemon chicken bites to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the chicken soggy.

• Transfer the cooled chicken bites into an airtight container. If you have a lot of chicken, consider using multiple containers or layering the chicken with parchment paper in between to prevent sticking.

• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the chicken within 3-4 days. The lemon chicken bites will stay fresh and flavorful.

• For longer storage, place the chicken bites in a freezer-safe container or a resealable freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag to prevent freezer burn.

• Label the container or bag with the date so you can keep track of how long the chicken has been stored. Lemon chicken bites can be frozen for up to 2 months.

• When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken bites in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture of the chicken.

• Reheat the chicken bites in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to keep them moist.

• If using a microwave, place the chicken bites on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat in short intervals, about 1-2 minutes, to avoid drying out the chicken.

• Serve the reheated lemon chicken bites with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of dried oregano to revive their zesty flavor.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the lemon chicken bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Cover the chicken with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly warmed.
  5. For a crispier texture, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of reheating.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or chicken broth to the pan to keep the chicken moist.
  3. Place the lemon chicken bites in the skillet.
  4. Stir occasionally, heating for about 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is hot throughout.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the lemon chicken bites in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a splash of chicken broth to keep the chicken moist.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
  4. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, then check and stir.
  5. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until the chicken is heated through.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the lemon chicken bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Check to make sure the chicken is hot and crispy before serving.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
  2. Place the lemon chicken bites in the steamer basket.
  3. Cover and steam for about 5-8 minutes or until the chicken is heated through.
  4. This method helps retain moisture and keeps the chicken tender.

• Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine the chicken pieces with lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano for marination.

• Knife: Essential for cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and mincing the garlic.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the chicken and garlic.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper accurately.

• Juicer: Handy for extracting juice from the lemon efficiently.

• Tongs: Useful for handling and turning the chicken pieces while cooking.

• Pan: A medium-sized pan for cooking the chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through.

• Spatula: Helps in stirring and flipping the chicken pieces in the pan.

• Measuring cup: Used to measure the chicken broth and flour accurately.

• Whisk: Useful for mixing the chicken broth into the pan to create a thickened sauce.

• Plate: For serving the hot lemon chicken bites once they are cooked and the sauce has thickened.

Marinate in advance: Prepare the chicken and marinate it the night before to save time on busy days.

Use pre-minced garlic: Opt for pre-minced garlic to cut down on prep time.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out all your ingredients before you start cooking to streamline the process.

Use a non-stick pan: A non-stick pan can make cooking and cleaning faster and easier.

Simmer with a lid: Cover the pan while simmering the chicken broth to speed up the thickening process.