Introduction

Oh, friends, do you ever crave a meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl? One that’s so incredibly delicious, you’ll want to lick the plate clean, but so simple you can whip it up on a weeknight? I’ve got just the thing for you today – Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Rice. This recipe takes me back to cozy evenings and the pure joy of sharing a fantastic meal. It’s ridiculously easy to make, and the flavors are just out of this world. Get ready to have your taste buds do a happy dance!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, you can have this on the table in under an hour!
Easy: No fancy techniques needed here, just simple steps that anyone can follow.
Giftable: Imagine these chicken bites tucked into a cute container for a neighbor or friend – pure delight!
Crowd-pleasing: From picky eaters to grown-ups, everyone goes wild for this combo.

Ingredients

Let’s gather up our goodies. You probably have most of these in your pantry already, which makes it even better!

For the Chicken:

1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (Think about the size of a good bite – not too big, not too small!)
2 tablespoons olive oil (Your trusty kitchen staple.)
Salt and black pepper, to taste (Don’t be shy with these – they add so much flavor!)
½ teaspoon garlic powder (A little extra garlic punch, because why not?)
5 cloves garlic, minced (Fresh garlic is key for that amazing aroma.)
¼ cup honey (The star of our sweet and sticky sauce!)
2 tablespoons soy sauce (For that savory depth. Use low-sodium if you prefer.)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (A little tang to balance the sweetness.)
1 tablespoon butter (Adds a lovely richness to the sauce.)

For the Creamy Rice:

1½ cups jasmine or white rice (Jasmine rice gives it a lovely floral note, but any white rice works beautifully.)
3 cups chicken broth (This is where a lot of that yummy flavor comes from.)
1 cup heavy cream (Hello, luscious creaminess!)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (For that perfect melty pull.)
½ cup cream cheese, softened (Makes the rice extra dreamy and smooth.)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (Adds a salty, nutty goodness.)
1 tablespoon butter (Because more butter is always a good idea.)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (A fragrant blend that complements everything.)
Salt and pepper, to taste (A final touch to make it perfect.)
Fresh parsley, for garnish (Adds a pop of color and freshness – totally optional but pretty!)

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! It’s going to be so rewarding.

Season the Chicken: Grab your chicken pieces and give them a good sprinkle of salt, black pepper, and that lovely garlic powder. Toss them around until they’re nicely coated.
Brown the Chicken: Heat your olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, add your seasoned chicken. Cook it, stirring occasionally, until it’s nicely browned on all sides and cooked through. No pink bits allowed! Once it’s done, scoop the chicken out of the skillet and set it aside for a moment.
Aromatic Garlic: In that same skillet (don’t wipe it out – all those tasty bits are flavor!), toss in your minced garlic. Cook it for just about a minute, until you can smell its amazing fragrance. Be careful not to burn it!
Sauce Magic: Now, pour in the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and that tablespoon of butter. Give it a good stir to meld all those flavors together. Let it come to a gentle simmer.
Coat the Chicken: Return your beautifully browned chicken pieces to the skillet. Toss them around in that glorious honey garlic sauce until every single piece is coated. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes, just until the sauce thickens up a bit. Oh, the aroma right now is heavenly!
Rice Prep: While the chicken is finishing up, let’s get that rice going. Give your rice a good rinse under cold water. This helps get rid of excess starch and makes it fluffier.
Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, chicken broth, and that tablespoon of butter. Bring it all to a boil, then immediately turn the heat down to low, pop a lid on, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes. You want all that liquid to be absorbed and the rice to be tender.
Creamy Dreamy Rice: Once the rice is cooked, it’s time for the magic! Stir in the heavy cream, mozzarella cheese, softened cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Keep stirring gently until all the cheeses are melted and you have a wonderfully creamy, dreamy mixture.
Season the Rice: Give your creamy rice a little taste and season it with salt and pepper to your liking.
Serve it Up! Ladle that luscious creamy Parmesan rice into bowls. Top it generously with your sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic chicken bites. A sprinkle of fresh parsley on top is always a nice touch for a little color and freshness. Enjoy every single bite!

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling creative? Or maybe you need to swap something out? I’ve got you covered!

Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully too! They tend to stay even more tender and juicy.
Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or a drizzle of sriracha at the end.
Veggies Galore: Toss in some broccoli florets or bell pepper chunks with the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking for a complete meal in one pan.
Rice Swap: While jasmine is lovely, basmati or even plain old long-grain white rice will do the trick. For a healthier option, you could try brown rice, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and liquid.
Citrus Zest: A little bit of lemon or lime zest added to the creamy rice can give it a lovely bright note.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks up my sleeve to make this recipe absolutely perfect for you.

Don’t Crowd the Pan: When browning the chicken, make sure your skillet isn’t too crowded. Cook in batches if necessary. This ensures the chicken gets nicely browned instead of steaming.
Soften That Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is truly softened. It will blend into the rice much more easily and smoothly. You can leave it on the counter for about an hour, or gently warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds at a time.
Taste and Adjust: Always taste your food before serving! Adjust seasonings as needed. Sometimes a little more salt, pepper, or even a touch more honey can make all the difference.
Prep Ahead: You can cut your chicken and mince your garlic ahead of time to save even more time when you’re ready to cook.

How to Store It

Leftovers? Lucky you! This dish reheats beautifully.

Store any leftover Honey Garlic Chicken Bites and Creamy Parmesan Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, you can gently reheat the chicken and rice together on the stovetop over low heat, or in the microwave. You might want to add a splash of broth or milk to the rice to revive its creaminess.

FAQs

Q: Can I make the honey garlic sauce ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can! You can prepare the sauce ingredients in a jar and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, just warm it up slightly before adding it to the chicken. Keep in mind the butter might solidify, but it will melt when heated.

Q: Is this recipe spicy?

A: Not at all! The sauce is sweet and savory. If you like things with a kick, I’d suggest adding some red pepper flakes to the sauce or a drizzle of hot sauce when serving.

Q: Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts?

A: Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a fantastic choice and tend to stay incredibly moist and flavorful. You can use them interchangeably with chicken breasts in this recipe.

Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Rice

Ridiculously easy Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Rice that are perfect for a weeknight meal and crowd-pleasing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Servings 4

Equipment

Large skillet
Medium saucepan

Ingredients

Chicken

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
to taste salt and black pepper
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
5 cloves garlic minced
0.25 cup honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce Use low-sodium if you prefer.
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon butter

Creamy Rice

1.5 cups jasmine or white rice
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
0.5 cup cream cheese softened
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
to taste salt and pepper
Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about a minute until fragrant.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Add honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and butter to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Rinse the rice under cold water.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
In a medium saucepan, combine rice, chicken broth, and butter. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Stir heavy cream, mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning into the cooked rice until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Serve the creamy rice topped with the honey garlic chicken bites. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Notes

Store any leftover Honey Garlic Chicken Bites and Creamy Parmesan Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or milk to revive the rice's creaminess.