Cajun chicken mushroom bites (Printer-Friendly)

Tender chicken and mushrooms come together with smoky spices for a quick, flavorful skillet dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into ¾ to 1-inch pieces

→ Spice Blend

02 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
03 - ½ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
04 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
05 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - ½ teaspoon granulated onion or onion powder
07 - ¼ teaspoon crushed oregano
08 - ¼ teaspoon crushed thyme
09 - ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to taste

→ Oils and Liquids

10 - 3 tablespoons light flavored olive oil, divided
11 - 2 tablespoons water

→ Vegetables and Herbs

12 - 8 ounces small crimini or button mushrooms, halved or quartered
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Dice chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces approximately ¾ to 1 inch each for even cooking.
02 - Combine smoked paprika, granulated garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, crushed oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss with chicken pieces to coat evenly. Let rest for at least 10 minutes to absorb flavors.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken in a single layer without overcrowding. Stir frequently and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
04 - Add mushrooms and 2 tablespoons water to the skillet. Scrape browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a spatula. Cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until tender and infused with pan flavor, approximately 4 minutes.
05 - Return chicken and any juices to the skillet with mushrooms. Stir to combine and warm through. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh Italian parsley before serving.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Allow spices to marinate on chicken for at least 10 minutes to deepen flavors.
02 - Avoid overcrowding the pan during cooking to ensure crispy edges.
03 - Scraping the pan while cooking mushrooms releases flavorful browned bits essential for richness.

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