🍽️ Blackened Salmon Bites with Creamy Garlic-Herb Sauce & Rice
🕒 Time
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Prep: 20 minutes
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Cook: 25 minutes
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Total: ~45 minutes
🍴 Servings
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3–4 servings
🧾 Ingredients
🐟 Salmon
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1½ lbs salmon fillets, skin removed
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2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
Blackening Seasoning
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1 tsp paprika
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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½ tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
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½ tsp dried thyme
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½ tsp dried oregano
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
🍚 Seasoned Rice
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1½ cups long-grain rice (jasmine or basmati)
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3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
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2 tbsp butter
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¼ cup diced onion
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¼ cup green peas
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Salt to taste
🥛 Creamy Garlic-Herb Sauce
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2 tbsp butter
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup heavy cream
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½ cup chicken broth
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
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1 tbsp fresh dill or thyme (optional)
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Salt & pepper to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Rice
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Melt butter in a pot over medium heat.
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Sauté diced onion until soft and fragrant.
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Add rice and stir for 1 minute to lightly toast.
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Pour in broth and add salt.
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Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low for 15 minutes.
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Stir in peas, cover again, and rest 5 minutes.
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Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
2️⃣ Season the Salmon
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Cut salmon into large bite-size cubes.
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Pat dry with paper towels.
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Toss with olive oil.
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Mix all blackening spices and coat salmon evenly.
3️⃣ Cook the Salmon Bites
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Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add a little oil.
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Sear salmon cubes 2–3 minutes per side, until:
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Deeply golden and slightly charred
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Just cooked inside (don’t overcook)
🔥 Remove and set aside.
4️⃣ Make the Creamy Garlic-Herb Sauce
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In the same pan, lower heat to medium.
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Melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
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Add chicken broth and simmer 2 minutes.
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Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan.
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Simmer gently until slightly thickened.
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Add lemon juice, parsley, herbs, salt & pepper.
5️⃣ Assemble
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Spoon rice onto plates.
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Top with salmon bites.
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Drizzle generously with creamy herb sauce.
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Finish with extra chopped parsley.
✨ Final Result
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Bold, smoky salmon
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Creamy, garlicky sauce with fresh herbs
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Fluffy, savory rice
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Perfect balance of richness and freshness
🔁 Variations
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Chicken version: Swap salmon for chicken breast bites
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Spicy: Add Cajun seasoning or extra cayenne
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Low-carb: Serve over cauliflower rice
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Air fryer salmon: 200°C / 400°F for 7–9 minutes
