Crispy Chicken Bites with Garlic and Parmesan

Cut the chicken breasts into evenly sized cubes (about 2-3 cm). Place them in a bowl and pat dry with a paper towel so they sear nicely.

In a bowl, mix the chicken cubes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, and cornstarch. Stir well so all the pieces are evenly coated. This will create a crispy crust without frying.

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot (but not smoking), add the chicken cubes in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the pan; if necessary, cook in two batches so the meat sears rather than steams.

Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes on one side to get a nice crust, then flip the cubes and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side, until cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 74°C). Transfer the cooked cubes to a plate.

Add the butter to the same pan (no need to clean it, keep the browned bits for flavor). Once melted, add the chopped fresh garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant (be careful not to burn it).

Return the cooked chicken bites to the pan. Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh parsley and Parmesan. Toss everything quickly together so the flavors combine and the sauce coats the meat. Serve immediately.