FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

  • Why You’ll Love My Chicken Bites Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make Chicken Bites
  • My Recipe Tips
  • Flavor Variations
  • Storage Instructions
  • Serving Ideas
  • More Skillet Chicken Recipes
  • My Tools For This Recipe
  • Chicken Bites (With Garlic Butter) Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

These easy, juicy chicken bites are a riff on my favorite garlic butter steak bites . I love those so much that naturally, I had to find out what would happen if I did it with chicken. Juicy, buttery, garlicky perfection, that’s what. I cooked these almost the same way as the steak ones, but they’ve got a generous coating of spices. It’s like a twist on my garlic butter chicken in miniature form. And while this chicken bites recipe shines as an appetizer (they are bite -sized, after all ?), don’t be surprised if it steals the spotlight as a main course at your next dinner — they did at my house!

Why You’ll Love My Chicken Bites Recipe

Maya in the kitchen. - 1
  • Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside – Tender, golden brown chicken bites bathed in garlic butter sauce? You got it! But my favorite part is the pacing I use to ensure that the inside stays moist and juicy.
  • Flavorful and versatile – You’ll love the savory seasoning blend of Italian seasoning, garlic, and smoked paprika in this dish.
  • Ready in just 15 minutes – With virtually no prep time and no more than 10 minutes to cook, you spend less time cooking and more time at the table with your family.
  • Effortlessly customizable – If you’re not feeling the garlic butter vibes, I’ve got 8 flavors for you to choose from below.
  • Perfect for any occasion – Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together and need a quick appetizer, or want a satisfying weeknight dinner option, my chicken bites fit the bill.
Maya's signature. - 2 Juicy, tender, and golden chicken bites in a cast iron skillet. - 3

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my garlic butter chicken bites, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Chicken – I used boneless skinless chicken breasts, but feel free to use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead. Cut your chicken into 1-inch pieces.
  • Garlic Powder – The 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder in this recipe is equivalent to 4 cloves of garlic – quite a lot for a pound of chicken, but I love my garlic! Feel free to use less if you want it less intense. If you prefer fresh garlic, just add it (minced) in the last step together with the butter.
  • Butter – For that juicy, buttery finish! Since I add salt separately, I use unsalted butter . If you want even more flavor, you could use my compound butter instead, or even lemon butter sauce . For a dairy-free option, I love this butter-flavored coconut oil .
  • Italian Seasoning – I make my seasoning blends from scratch when I have time to batch them, and you can make my Italian seasoning recipe in just a few minutes. But you can use store-bought, too ( this brand is my fave).
  • Other Spices – Onion powder , smoked paprika (or regular works too), sea salt, and black pepper.
  • Oil – Since this chicken bites recipe is seared, you want an oil with a high smoke point. I chose olive oil , but avocado oil works great as well.
  • Fresh Parsley – Although optional, I garnish these chicken bites with fresh parsley. You can also toss in the herbs together with the butter, instead of at the end.
Bowl of diced chicken next to smaller bowls of butter, parsley, oil, and seasonings with labels. - 4

How To Make Chicken Bites

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Season. Dry the chicken bites with a paper towel. Then, season them with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat.
  2. Sear. Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, until shimmering. Reduce to medium and add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook until golden brown on all sides, but not yet fully cooked. (See my tips on this below.)
Seasoned chicken pieces in a bowl. - 5 Chicken bites seared in oil in a skillet. - 6
  1. Add butter. Reduce the heat to low. Add the butter to the pan in small pieces, and mix to coat the chicken. Continue cooking, until the chicken is cooked through.
  2. Garnish and enjoy. I can’t resist that sprinkle of parsley for a pop of color and freshness!
Butter added to the pan and starting to melt. - 7 Cooked chicken bites recipe in the cast iron skillet, garnished with parsley. - 8 My Recipe Tips - 9

My Recipe Tips

  • Dice your chicken bites into similar sizes. If they are all different, the little ones will dry out by the time the big ones are done. And diced chicken dries out easily!
  • Use a cast iron skillet. I always use my trusty cast iron skillet for this chicken bites recipe ( this is the one I use ). You can use a different pan, but keep in mind, nonstick cookware doesn’t retain heat as well. I find it usually needs a bit more time, and does best with medium-high heat the whole way through, until right before adding the butter.
  • Cut the butter into pieces. I do it ahead of time before I start cooking. This way, it melts fast and doesn’t keep cooking the chicken longer than needed. You want that butter melting quickly because by that point, the chicken only needs a minute or two to finish up.
  • Add the butter when the chicken reaches 150-155 degrees F. This is the perfect timing to get you juicy chicken, and it will reach 165 degrees F after cooking in butter. With my cast iron pan, sometimes I have to reduce the heat if they are golden but not yet to the right temp to add the butter. And this is also why I always check with my meat thermometer — it’s the stress-free way to get perfect results.
  • Don’t leave the chicken in the pan after cooking. Otherwise, it will overcook from the residual heat. I really had to rush for these pictures to prevent this!
Chicken bites in the skillet next to a bowl of parsley and a cloth napkin. - 10

Flavor Variations

Although I love garlic butter, sometimes I want to change it up — and so can you! Here are some other flavors for your chicken bites:

  • Cajun – Craving spicy? Sprinkle some of my Cajun seasoning mix or a dash of cayenne pepper into the original recipe.
  • Lemon Herb – For a zesty pop, add a teaspoon of lemon zest with the other seasonings, and throw in 2 tablespoons of fresh thyme (or any herbs you want) together with the butter. I love dunking this version in tzatziki sauce !
  • Garlic Parmesan – After cooking, toss the chicken bites in grated parmesan cheese. It sticks right to the garlic butter sauce!
  • Honey Garlic – Skip the seasonings, and just marinate the chicken in the same honey garlic sauce I use for my air fryer salmon bites , or the one from my honey garlic chicken . You can tell I love garlic, right?
  • Teriyaki – Same as the version above, but use my homemade teriyaki sauce instead.
  • BBQ – I reduce the amount of butter by half for this version. Otherwise, just make my chicken bites recipe as usual, then toss in your favorite BBQ sauce .
  • Buffalo – You can make this the same way as the BBQ version above, except with an extra fiery kick. Simply coat the cooked chicken in buffalo sauce and melted butter (I use the same ratio as my buffalo wings ).
  • Chimichurri – Just drizzle my chimichurri sauce on top (a la my sirloin tips ), or marinate the chicken in the sauce instead.

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Leftover chicken bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They do dry out a bit, but you can revive them.
  • Meal prep: I sometimes make these as part of my chicken meal prep for quick lunches throughout the week. Of course, you can also just dice the chicken ahead.
  • Reheat: My favorite method is to air fry for 2 minutes and then toss with a bit of extra butter. You can also toss them in a skillet, or use your oven at 350 degrees F. I don’t love microwaving these, because they get dry easily.
  • Freeze: Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Transfer to a zip lock bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Leftover Ideas: - 11

Leftover Ideas:

Since the garlic butter flavor is so versatile, you can repurpose these chicken bites for any recipe that needs cooked chicken. I’ve made my grilled chicken salad with them (to avoid the grilling part), tossed them in my chicken bacon ranch casserole , and added them to stir fry vegetables .

Chicken bites in a bowl with one on a fork showing the juicy inner texture. - 12

Serving Ideas

You can serve these chicken bites as a simple appetizer with toothpicks, but here are some ways I serve them as a main course:

  • Veggies – These go with everything, but since they are so quick, I recommend vegetables that cook fast, too. Pop some prosciutto wrapped asparagus or green beans in your oven to roast while you cook the chicken bites on the stovetop, or whip up my fried brussels sprouts in the same pan right after.
  • Potatoes – Who doesn’t love chicken and roasted potatoes ? You can also serve these with my roasted rutabaga or mashed cauliflower for lighter options.
  • Rice – Yes, you could just serve it on the side, but why? Make a bowl instead with your favorite rice (I prefer cauliflower rice ) and sauteed broccoli , then drizzle extra juices from the pan on top. Major upgrade.
  • Salad – Any of my salad recipes make for a fresh side. I recently served these chicken bites my asparagus salad and it was perfect. For something sweeter, try my mandarin orange salad .

More Skillet Chicken Recipes

I’ve got plenty of other easy stovetop chicken recipes! Here are a few of my favorites:

Cast iron chicken thighs up close. - 13 Cast iron chicken thighs up close. - 14

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Teriyaki chicken bowl. - 15 Teriyaki chicken bowl. - 16

Teriyaki Chicken Bowl

Pan seared chicken breast close up. - 17 Pan seared chicken breast close up. - 18

Pan Seared Chicken Breast

Lemon garlic chicken on a plate. - 19 Lemon garlic chicken on a plate. - 20

Lemon Garlic Chicken

My Tools For This Recipe

  • Cast Iron Skillet – It’s the perfect size for this recipe, retains heat well, and it’s so pretty. I have it in a few different colors!
  • Meat Thermomete r – This one is foldable for easy storing, but what I love about it the most is that it only takes 2-3 seconds to get an accurate read, so I never overcook my proteins.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 1 lb Boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces) ▢
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning ▢
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Onion powder ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Smoked paprika ▢
  • 3/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted butter (cut into small pieces) ▢
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (optional; chopped) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  2. In a large bowl, season the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, until shimmering. Reduce heat to medium and add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook chicken bites for 5-8 minutes total, flipping to different sides every 2-3 minutes, until golden brown on all sides, but not yet fully cooked. (Internal temperature should be about 150-155 degrees F (66-68 degrees C) at this point.)
  4. Reduce heat to low. Add the butter pieces to the pan and mix to coat the chicken. Cook for 1-3 minutes , until the chicken is cooked through. It should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 pound chicken bites, or 1/4 of entire recipe

Nutrition info does not include the optional parsley.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Chicken Bites

Chicken bites recipe pin. - 21

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • The Basic Keto Meal Formula
  • Understanding Macros
  • Keto Food Swaps
  • Keto Food List
  • Electrolyte Basics
  • Keto Diet Types
  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 22

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Pick A ProteinPick A VeggieAdd Fat
Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder VenisonCauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama CeleryButter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Instead Of This…Eat This
PancakesAlmond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes
OatmealKeto oatmeal with hemp seeds
Cinnamon rollsFathead cinnamon rolls
CerealKeto nut granola
MuffinsAlmond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins
DonutsAlmond flour donuts
SconesAlmond flour scones
High-sugar smoothiesSmoothie with berries or avocado
Hash brownsCauliflower hash browns
Breakfast casseroleBreakfast casserole with no potatoes
Egg whitesWhole eggs
Turkey baconBacon
WafflesChaffles
Keto food swaps - breakfast - 23

Keto Swaps For Bread

Instead Of This…Eat This
BagelsFathead bagels
English muffinAlmond flour English muffin
White breadKeto white bread
Multigrain breadCoconut flour bread with seeds
Tortillas for wrapsCoconut flour tortillas
Corn taco shellsCheddar cheese taco shells
Burger bunsOopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps
BreadsticksCauliflower breadsticks
BiscuitsAlmond flour biscuits
CornbreadAlmond flour cornbread
CroutonsParmesan crisps
RiceCauliflower rice , konjac rice
Keto food swaps - bread and grains - 24

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Instead Of This…Eat This
Breaded wingsCrispy air fryer wings (unbreaded)
Low-fat meat & poultryHigh-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat
Mashed potatoesMashed cauliflower
Roasted potatoesRoasted or fried radishes
TacosTaco salad
PizzaFathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza
LasagnaEggplant lasagna
Potato saladCauliflower “potato” salad
French friesJicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries
Tater totsCauliflower tots
WrapsLettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas
SushiNaruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi
Breaded chicken or fishBreaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds
SpaghettiZoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles
Keto food swaps - meals and sides - 25

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Instead Of This…Eat This
NachosCheese crisps
High-sugar fruitBerries & other keto fruits
CrackersAlmond flour crackers
HummusCauliflower hummus
Soft pretzelsFathead pretzels
PopcornPuffed cheese
Granola barsGrain-free granola bars
JamSugar-free berry chia jam
Sweet fruity yogurtFull-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries
Sweet salad dressingRanch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette
KetchupMustard and/or sugar-free ketchup
BBQ sauceSugar-free BBQ sauce
Sweetened peanut butterNatural, sugar-free nut butters
Light mayoAvocado oil mayo
Maple syrupSugar-free, maple flavored syrup
Potato chipsZucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds
Keto food swaps - snacks and sauces - 26

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Instead Of This…Eat This
SugarMonk fruit or allulose
Powdered sugarPowdered monk fruit or allulose
White flourAlmond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes)
Making baked goods soft/chewyXanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder
BreadcrumbsPork rinds or almond flour
MargarineButter, coconut oil, or ghee
Vegetable oilOlive or avocado oil
BananasBanana extract
Chocolate chipsSugar-free chocolate chips
Cornstarch or flour rouxXanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end)
Simple syrupDissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat
Keto food swaps - baking and cooking - 27

Keto Swaps For Drinks

Instead Of This…Eat This
LemonadeWater with lemon
SodaFlavored sparkling water
MilkAlmond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream
LatteButter coffee
Coffee creamerHeavy cream
Sweet wineDry wine
BeerUltra light beer
Mixed drinksHard liquor with soda + lemon

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto food swaps - drinks - 28

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Keto foods to eat and avoid summary - 29

Foods To Eat On Keto

  • Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
  • Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
  • Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
  • Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
  • Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
  • Avocados
  • Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
  • Almond flour and coconut flour
  • Eggs
  • Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

  • White flour & sugar
  • Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
  • Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
  • Cereal
  • Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
  • Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
  • Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
  • Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
  • Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
  • Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 30

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

SodiumMagnesiumPotassium
Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts PicklesSeaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greensPotassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

  • Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
  • Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
  • Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
  • Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 31

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Chicken Bites (With Garlic Butter)

Chicken bites in a skillet with garlic butter and fresh parsley. - 32

Make this easy chicken bites recipe in 15 minutes! They are so juicy, golden, and coated in garlic butter with a generous sprinkle of spices.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/chicken-bites/

Chicken Bites - 33 Chicken Bites - 34 Chicken Bites - 35 Chicken Bites - 36

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp Onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 3/4 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (optional; chopped)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  2. In a large bowl, season the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, until shimmering. Reduce heat to medium and add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook chicken bites for 5-8 minutes total, flipping to different sides every 2-3 minutes, until golden brown on all sides, but not yet fully cooked. (Internal temperature should be about 150-155 degrees F (66-68 degrees C) at this point.)
  4. Reduce heat to low. Add the butter pieces to the pan and mix to coat the chicken. Cook for 1-3 minutes , until the chicken is cooked through. It should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 pound chicken bites, or 1/4 of entire recipe

Nutrition info does not include the optional parsley.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)