Skillet Cajun Chicken Bites
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These Cajun Chicken Bites are an easy recipe for a quick dinner on busy nights. Ready in just 20 minutes, every bite packs a spicy punch with juicy pieces of chicken tossed in a zesty cajun seasoning made in a skillet that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
Having meals that I can throw together in under 20 minutes is crucial for us with busy schedules. These Cajun chicken bites can go from fridge to table in less than 20 minutes.
Throw together some cheesy butternut squash or dutch oven baked beans while the chicken is cooking for a more balanced meal.
I like recipes that can be made quickly and cleaned up even quicker. This is why I do most of my cooking using a cast iron skillet.
So many meals can be made entirely in a skillet and a well-seasoned skillet should leave virtually no mess when cooking in it.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This Cajun chicken bite recipe is ready in only 20 minutes. It’s the perfect quick meal whenever you need it.
- You can make this recipe in a single pan with minor cleanup using just a cast iron skillet.
- This chicken is a savory blend of cajun spices for an easy recipe that allows you to adjust heat levels for picky eaters easily.
Recipe Ingredients
- Butter: I used oil in the ingredients photo, but butter adds so much richness and flavor. I highly recommend using butter for this recipe!
- Cajun Seasoning: I use a homemade blend that I’ve included below, but storebought cajun spice will work just fine.
- Chicken Tenders: Any cut of meat from the chicken will work. I try to use fresh, locally sourced chicken tenders when I can.
Homemade Cajun Chicken Seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Cayenne Pepper
Combine two parts of salt with equal parts of the rest of the spices.
Skillet Cajun Chicken Bites Recipe
Step 1: Chicken tenders are perfect for this recipe straight out of the package, although I will cut each tender into 1-2″ sections.
Step 2: Toss in your cajun seasoning. I prefer to make my own seasoning (see recipe below), but either way, coat your chicken with your spice blend.
Step 3: Start with a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. On medium-high heat, add your butter and wait for it heat up. Add your chicken, and cook thoroughly.
Expert Tips
- Cut the chicken into uniform pieces. To ensure that the chicken cooks evenly cut them into bite-sized uniform pieces.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet. If necessary, cook your chicken in batches. If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken will not crisp up properly.
- Rest after cooking. After cooking, rest the chicken for a few minutes. This will help retain the juiciness of the chicken and keep it tender.
- Don’t be afraid to adjust spice levels. You can easily add or remove spices to adjust for different spice levels. Go heavier or lighter to suit your spice needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not necessary to bake the chicken before searing. These bite-sized cajun chicken tenders are small enough that they can be fully cooked on the stovetop without burning the outside or drying out. Generally, chicken breasts and thighs are best cooked in an oven first to ensure they are fully cooked through. I do make a stovetop chicken breast recipe, but I use thinly sliced chicken to ensure they cook through evenly.
Once the cast iron skillet is heated up, the diced chicken tenders will only take about 3-4 minutes per side to cook fully. The skillet must be preheated before adding the meat. If it’s not, the meat will stick and not heat up quickly enough, causing it to dry out; definitely not what we are going for. Always check chicken with an instant thermometer. The internal temperature of chicken must read 165°F.
Save the leftover chicken to use for a southwest cajun chicken salad. Yes! Add the chicken directly from the fridge to a bed of crispy lettuce. Add sliced red onions, homemade french fries, shredded cheese and drizzle with chipotle dressing.
Serving Suggestions
These Cajun chicken bites are delicious and satisfying on their own, but pair quite nicely with a number of sides.
We have made these with homemade dutch oven french fries, cast iron crispy potatoes, or served over a bed of rice.
I will say that the southwest cajun chicken salad we make with the leftover chicken is possibly even better than eating these spicy chicken bites fresh.
If you cook with chicken all the time and have extra chicken in the freezer, you’ve got to try this creamy chicken skillet recipe!
Related Recipes
- Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Cast Iron Chicken Drumsticks
- Honey Ginger Chicken
- One-Pot Sweet & Spicy Shredded Chicken
- Bang Bang Chicken
- The Secret to Boiling Perfect Chicken Thighs Every Time
If you tried this Skillet Cajun Chicken Bites Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Skillet Cajun Chicken Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of fresh chicken tenders
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tbsp Cajun Seasoning of choice
Or make your own:
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of paprika
- ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon of ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon each of onion and garlic powder
Instructions
- Cut chicken tenders into 1" pieces.
- Generously coat with cajun seasoning.
- Heat your cast iron skillet on medium-high heat, adding butter once hot.
- Cook chicken in the hot skillet for about 4 minutes, then flip, cooking an additional 4 minutes.
- Once chicken is cooked through, remove from heat and let sit for 2 min before serving.
Notes
- Chicken must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- For a less spicy yet still delicious flavor, omit the red pepper and cayenne pepper.
- To ensure that the chicken cooks evenly, cut them into bite-sized uniform pieces.
- If necessary, cook your chicken in batches. If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken will not crisp up properly.
- After cooking, rest the chicken for a few minutes. This will help retain the juiciness of the chicken and keep it tender.
I love this recipe! We make our own cajun seasoning and it comes out perfect and crispy every time!
Such an easy recipe! This is my go to!
The carb count seems incorrect given the ingredients.