Grilled Chicken Bites with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Of course! These Grilled Chicken Bites with Creamy Garlic Sauce are the perfect crowd-pleaser. They’re incredibly flavorful, juicy, and the sauce is absolutely irresistible. Perfect as an appetizer, served over rice, or tucked into wraps.
Here is a detailed, recipe-formatted guide.
Grilled Chicken Bites with Creamy Garlic Sauce
This recipe features tender, marinated chicken pieces grilled to perfection and served with a cool, tangy, and herbaceous garlic sauce that’s reminiscent of classic Lebanese toum or a creamy aioli.
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 min marinating)
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
· 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
· ¼ cup olive oil
· 2 tablespoons lemon juice
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 teaspoon paprika
· 1 teaspoon dried oregano
· ½ teaspoon cumin
· Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
· ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat preferred)
· ¼ cup mayonnaise
· 3-4 cloves garlic, very finely minced or pressed
· 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
· 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
· 1 teaspoon dill, finely chopped (optional)
· 1-2 tablespoons milk or water (to reach desired consistency)
· Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving (Optional):
· Lemon wedges
· Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
· Pita bread, rice, or a fresh salad
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
· In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper.
· Add the cubed chicken and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
· Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor).
- Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
· While the chicken marinates, prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, finely minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley, and dill (if using).
· Whisk until smooth. Add milk or water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired dipping consistency.
· Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. (This allows the garlic flavor to meld and mellow slightly).
- Grill the Chicken:
· If using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning.
· Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, if desired. This makes flipping easier, but you can also cook them loose.
· Preheat your grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates.
· Cook the chicken bites for 3-4 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until they are cooked through and have beautiful grill marks. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
· Alternatively, you can bake them: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until cooked through.
- Serve:
· Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes.
· Serve the grilled chicken bites immediately with the chilled creamy garlic sauce for dipping.
· Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.
Chef’s Notes & Tips for Success:
· Garlic Power: For the sauce, the finer you mince the garlic, the better the texture and the more distributed the flavor. A microplane or garlic press is ideal here.
· Don’t Overcook: Since the chicken is cut into small pieces, it cooks very quickly. Keep a close eye on it to avoid drying it out.
· Sauce Consistency: The sauce will thicken in the fridge. If it becomes too thick, just whisk in another tablespoon of milk or lemon juice before serving.
· Yogurt Substitute: You can use sour cream in place of the Greek yogurt for a slightly richer, tangier sauce.
· Meal Prep Champion: This is a fantastic meal prep recipe. The chicken can be marinated and the sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance.
· Serving Ideas:
· Appetizer: Serve on a platter with toothpicks and the sauce in a bowl for dipping.
· Main Course: Serve over a bed of rice, quinoa, or with a side salad. Drizzle the sauce over everything.
· Wrap: Pile the chicken bites into warm pita bread or flatbreads with lettuce, tomato, and a generous dollop of the garlic sauce.
Enjoy your perfectly grilled, flavorful chicken with its cool and creamy counterpart
