These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites & Parmesan Rice make a comforting dinner with simple ingredients. Golden chicken pieces are tossed in warm garlic butter and served over fluffy Parmesan rice with peas. Spoon the buttery pan juices over everything for extra flavor in every bite.
The rice cooks while you prepare the chicken, so this dinner comes together in about 35 minutes. It’s an easy way to turn a pack of chicken and a few pantry staples into a filling family meal.
Chicken breasts: Cut the chicken into evenly sized, 1-inch pieces so they cook at about the same rate. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work.
Long-grain white rice: The rice cooks in chicken broth for extra flavor. Other rice varieties may need different amounts of liquid and cooking times.
Butter and garlic: Some goes into the rice, and the rest creates the buttery coating for the chicken.
Parmesan cheese: Stir it into the warm rice at the end. Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly, but use what fits your budget.
Frozen peas: An easy vegetable to keep on hand, with no chopping needed.
Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper: Simple seasonings that complement the garlic butter.
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan and briefly cook 1 minced garlic clove. Stir in the rinsed rice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Scatter the frozen peas over the cooked rice. Replace the lid, remove the saucepan from the heat, and let it stand for 5–10 minutes, until the peas are heated through.
While the rice cooks, pat the chicken dry and season it with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, working in batches if needed.
Reduce the heat before adding the remaining butter and garlic. Stir just until the garlic is fragrant, then toss the chicken in the melted butter.
Fluff the rice and stir in the Parmesan. Serve the chicken over the rice and spoon the garlic butter from the skillet over each portion.
Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in place of breasts, or swap the peas for cooked broccoli. If you already have cooked rice, warm it separately with a little broth, then stir in the peas, butter, garlic, and Parmesan to taste.
This chicken and rice dinner is filling on its own. To stretch it further, add roasted carrots, green beans, or a simple side salad.
Warm individual portions in the microwave or gently reheat in a skillet. Add a splash of water or broth to keep the rice from drying out.
Golden chicken bites tossed in garlic butter and served over savory Parmesan rice with peas. A simple, comforting family dinner ready in about 35 minutes.
