Honey Garlic Chicken Bites over Creamy Parmesan Rice Recipe
A delicious and comforting meal featuring tender honey garlic chicken bites served over creamy, cheesy rice. The chicken is seared to golden perfection and coated in a sticky, flavorful honey garlic sauce, while the rice is rich and creamy with a blend of mozzarella, cream cheese, and Parmesan, seasoned with Italian herbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Bites
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp butter
For the Creamy Rice
- 1½ cups jasmine or white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: In a large pot, combine the rice and chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Make Creamy Rice: After the rice is cooked, stir in the butter, heavy cream, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until all cheeses melt and the mixture is creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Keep warm while preparing the chicken.
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Add the chicken to the skillet and sear, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden on the outside and fully cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Make Honey Garlic Sauce: Push the cooked chicken to the sides of the skillet to create space in the center. Add butter and minced garlic to the center and sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar, stirring everything together and allowing the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens and coats the chicken nicely.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy cheesy rice onto plates and top with the honey garlic chicken bites. Garnish with fresh parsley for a bright finish.
Notes
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, reduce the amount of honey or adjust soy sauce to lower sodium versions.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and heavy cream with coconut cream and omit the cheeses or use vegan alternatives.
- Make sure to cut chicken into even bite-sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking.
- Use fresh garlic for more flavorful sauce rather than garlic powder only.
- Leftover honey garlic chicken bites and creamy rice reheat well in a skillet over low heat.
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, creamy rice, chicken bites, easy dinner, one pan meal, comfort food
