Node Reference input with HTML preview I am trying to show a multiple node reference input control that shows the title and an image of each node.

I have achieved it using Autocomplete Deluxe but it allows users to create new objects in the control itself which I cannot allow. I have also tried Chosen with a reference view but it strips all HTML before showing in the list.

Are there any other modules or techniques I could try to achieve this?
In my opinion that is the case for a View. You should prepare a view with the fields you want to display from referenced nodes.

Then install Entity Reference View Widget module. With that module you will be able to use your view to select the node references.