Name: 20-Minute Blackened Salmon Bites - Irresistible Flavor Bombs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (or sushi rice); 1 1/2 lb salmon fillets, skin removed, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes; 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil); 1 lemon, cut into wedges (for serving); 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish); Blackened seasoning: 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp dried thyme; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp cayenne (optional, for heat); 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, helps caramelize); Creamy herb lemon sauce: 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp sour cream (or Greek yogurt); 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 small garlic clove, finely grated (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder); 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley (plus more to sprinkle); 1–2 tbsp water (to thin for drizzling); Salt & pepper, to taste

Description

Flavorful blackened salmon bites served with rice and a creamy herb sauce for an easy high-protein meal.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups cooked jasmine rice (or sushi rice)
1 1/2 lb salmon fillets, skin removed, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
1 lemon, cut into wedges (for serving)
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Blackened seasoning:
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne (optional, for heat)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, helps caramelize)
Creamy herb lemon sauce:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley (plus more to sprinkle)
- 1–2 tbsp water (to thin for drizzling)
- Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions

Make the creamy herb sauce: In a small bowl, whisk mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon, garlic, and chopped parsley. Add water 1 tbsp at a time until thick-but-drizzleable. Season with salt and pepper.
Season the salmon: Pat salmon dry. Toss salmon cubes with oil, then coat evenly with the blackened seasoning.
Sear for that char: Heat a large skillet (cast iron is best) over medium-high heat. Add salmon cubes in a single layer. Sear 2–3 minutes per side, turning carefully, until deeply browned/charred on the outside and just cooked through.
Assemble bowls: Add hot rice to bowls, pile on salmon bites, drizzle generously with creamy herb sauce, sprinkle with extra parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Adjust cayenne for desired spice level.
Use Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce.
Cast iron skillet ensures the best sear.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Pan-searing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 610
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 22g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 105mg

Keywords: blackened salmon bites, creamy herb sauce, easy salmon dinner, spicy salmon bowl, pan seared salmon bites, high protein meal prep