Easy Blackstone Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites Recipe – Juicy
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts – cut into 1-inch bite-size pieces.
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil – helps the chicken brown on the hot griddle.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder.
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter – divided.
- 5 garlic cloves – finely minced.
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley.
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice.
Optional Ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes – for mild heat.
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning – for extra herb flavor.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives – for garnish.
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese – for serving.
- Lemon wedges – for a brighter finish.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken thighs: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a richer, juicier result. They may need an extra 1–2 minutes of cooking time.
- Avocado oil: Substitute canola oil, vegetable oil, or another neutral high-heat cooking oil.
- Fresh garlic: In a pinch, use about 1 1/2 teaspoons of additional garlic powder, although fresh garlic gives the best flavor.
- Fresh Parmesan: Pre-grated Parmesan can work, but freshly grated Parmesan melts and coats the chicken more evenly.
- Unsalted butter: Salted butter is fine, but reduce the added kosher salt slightly.
- Fresh parsley: Substitute dried parsley, using about 1 teaspoon.
Equipment Needed
- Blackstone griddle or similar flat-top outdoor griddle.
- Instant-read meat thermometer.
- Large mixing bowl.
- Small bowl.
- Sharp chef’s knife.
- Cutting board.
- Measuring cups.
- Measuring spoons.
- Two griddle spatulas.
- Silicone spatula or wooden spoon.
- Cheese grater.
- Garlic press, optional.
- Paper towels.
- Serving platter or large plate.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This small step matters because excess surface moisture can cause the chicken to steam instead of developing golden-brown edges.
Cut the chicken into roughly 1-inch pieces. Try to keep them similar in size so they finish cooking at about the same time.
Place the chicken pieces in a large mixing bowl.
The chicken should look dry on the outside and be cut into evenly sized chunks.
Do not cut some pieces tiny and others very large. Uneven pieces can lead to dry chicken mixed with undercooked chicken.
2. Season the Chicken
Add the avocado oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder to the bowl.
Toss thoroughly until every piece of chicken has a light, even coating of oil and seasoning.
If using Italian seasoning or crushed red pepper flakes, add them now.
Season the chicken shortly before cooking. Leaving heavily salted small chicken pieces sitting for a long time can draw moisture to the surface.
3. Make the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine.
2 tablespoons softened butter.
Minced garlic.
Fresh lemon juice.
Stir until combined. Keep the remaining 1 tablespoon butter separate for the griddle.
Having the garlic butter ready before cooking is important because the recipe moves quickly once the chicken hits the hot surface.
Do not add minced garlic at the beginning of cooking. Fresh garlic can burn on a 375–400°F griddle and develop a bitter taste.
4. Preheat the Blackstone Griddle
Preheat the Blackstone griddle over medium-high heat until the cooking surface reaches approximately 375–400°F.
If you have an infrared thermometer, use it to check the surface temperature. If not, place a few drops of water on the griddle. They should sizzle and evaporate quickly.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the cooking area and spread it lightly with a spatula.
The butter should melt and foam gently. If it immediately turns dark brown or smokes heavily, the griddle is too hot.
5. Add the Chicken to the Griddle
Spread the seasoned chicken pieces across the hot griddle in a single layer.
Leave a little space between the pieces whenever possible. Cook without constantly moving them for about 2–3 minutes.
This direct contact with the hot griddle creates the browned exterior that makes Blackstone Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites especially flavorful.
The bottom of the chicken should develop golden-brown spots before you flip or stir it.
Do not overcrowd the cooking surface. Crowded chicken releases moisture and steams instead of searing.
6. Flip and Continue Cooking
Use griddle spatulas to flip and stir the chicken pieces.
Cook for another 3–5 minutes, turning occasionally so multiple sides make contact with the hot surface.
The exact cooking time depends on the size of the chicken pieces and the actual griddle temperature.
Check the thickest piece with an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is safely cooked when the center reaches 165°F.
Visual cues.
Outside is golden brown.
Centers are opaque.
No raw pink areas remain.
Juices appear clear.
Temperature is more reliable than cutting open multiple pieces. Remove the chicken promptly once it reaches a safe internal temperature to reduce the chance of drying it out.
7. Lower the Heat and Add Garlic Butter
Reduce the griddle heat to low or medium-low.
Move the cooked chicken together into a loose pile. Add the prepared garlic butter and toss continuously for about 30–60 seconds.
Keep the chicken moving so the garlic becomes fragrant without scorching.
The butter should coat the chicken with a glossy finish, and the garlic should smell fragrant rather than toasted or burned.
Adding garlic butter while the griddle is still extremely hot can burn the garlic in seconds.
8. Add the Parmesan Cheese
Sprinkle 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the buttery chicken.
Toss gently for another 30–60 seconds until the cheese clings to the chicken pieces. Some Parmesan may lightly toast against the griddle, creating extra savory browned bits.
The chicken should look glossy, cheesy, and lightly coated rather than covered in a thick sauce.
Parmesan is naturally salty. Taste the finished chicken before adding extra salt.
9. Garnish and Serve
Transfer the chicken bites to a clean serving platter.
Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and, if desired, extra Parmesan, chives, crushed red pepper flakes, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Serve immediately while the chicken is hot and juicy.
These Blackstone Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites pair well with.
Roasted potatoes.
French fries.
Steamed broccoli.
Grilled vegetables.
Buttered rice.
Pasta.
Caesar salad.
Garlic bread.
Nutrition Facts
Cost To Make This Recipe
Item – Estimated Cost (USD).
1 1/2 lb chicken breasts – $6.00.
Avocado oil – $0.20.
Butter – $0.55.
Fresh garlic – $0.35.
Parmesan cheese – $2.25.
Lemon juice – $0.20.
Fresh parsley – $0.45.
Dry seasonings – $0.50.
Estimated Total Recipe Cost
Approximately $10.50 USD.
Estimated Cost Per Serving
Approximately $2.63 USD per serving.
