If you love salmon, this creamy salmon and rice combination might become one of those easy dinners you keep coming back to. Golden bite-sized pieces of salmon get bathed in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce, then served over warm rice for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bite-sized salmon means more sauce in every forkful. Cutting the salmon into cubes gives you more surface area for that creamy garlic coating.
- Rich, homemade garlic sauce. Parmesan and cream come together for something smooth and flavorful.
- Ready in 30 minutes. A quick, comforting dinner that doesn’t take much effort.
- Rice makes it a complete meal. The warm rice soaks up the sauce beautifully.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs skinless salmon fillets, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken or seafood broth
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cups cooked white rice
How to Make Creamy Garlic Salmon Bites with Rice
1. Season the salmon. Pat the salmon bites dry. Season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
2. Sear the salmon bites. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon in a single layer and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
3. Start the garlic sauce. Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Make it creamy. Pour in the heavy cream and broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the Parmesan until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
5. Finish the salmon. Stir in the lemon juice. Return the salmon bites to the skillet and gently spoon the creamy garlic sauce over them. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, just until the salmon is warmed through.
6. Serve with rice. Spoon the creamy salmon bites and plenty of sauce alongside the warm white rice. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Creamy Garlic Salmon Bites
- Cut the salmon into even cubes. This helps them cook at the same rate for consistent doneness.
- Don’t overcook the salmon in the first sear. Getting it golden and just cooked through leaves room for it to finish gently in the sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce, since pre-shredded cheese can make it slightly grainy.
- Have the rice warm and ready. This dish comes together quickly, so having the rice prepared in advance keeps everything on schedule.
What to Serve with Creamy Garlic Salmon Bites
This dish is a complete meal on its own with rice included, but a simple steamed vegetable or side salad rounds things out nicely if you’d like something fresh alongside it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat very dry before cutting and searing so it browns properly instead of steaming.
Can I substitute the heavy cream?
Half-and-half can work in a pinch, though the sauce will be thinner and less rich than with heavy cream.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, just keep in mind brown rice takes longer to cook, so plan ahead if starting from scratch.
Creamy Garlic Salmon Bites with Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the salmon bites dry. Season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the salmon in a single layer and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the Parmesan until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the lemon juice. Return the salmon bites to the skillet and gently spoon the creamy garlic sauce over them. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, just until the salmon is warmed through.
- Spoon the creamy salmon bites and plenty of sauce alongside the warm white rice. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.