One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe

Introduction

This one-pan bold honey BBQ chicken rice is a flavorful and easy weeknight meal that combines tender chicken, sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, and perfectly cooked rice all in one skillet. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a comforting dish that delivers big taste with minimal effort.

The image shows a close-up of a white plate filled with a layer of mixed fried rice, which includes white rice grains with small bits of orange carrots and green peas scattered evenly. On top of the rice layer, there is a thick layer of glossy, caramel-brown grilled chicken pieces cut into chunks, arranged close together creating a rich texture. The grilled chicken has a shiny, slightly sticky glaze that catches the light, adding depth to the brown color. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 cup long-grain rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, sear the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side until browned.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce and honey. Pour the mixture over the browned chicken in the skillet.
  3. Step 3: Add the rice and chicken broth to the skillet and stir everything to combine evenly.
  4. Step 4: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
  5. Step 5: During the last 5 minutes of cooking, scatter the mixed vegetables over the top of the rice to steam.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and let the dish sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the BBQ and honey mixture for 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Use brown rice instead of long-grain rice, but increase the simmering time to about 40 minutes and add more broth as needed.
  • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a spicy kick to balance the sweetness of the honey BBQ sauce.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth to keep the rice moist.

How to Serve

Close-up image of a dish with two layers on a white plate: the bottom layer is fried rice mixed with small pieces of carrot, green beans, and corn, showing a fluffy texture with white and light brown grains, while the top layer is made of bite-sized glazed chicken pieces coated in a shiny, dark brown sauce, arranged evenly over the rice. The background shows a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well; just be careful not to overcook as they can dry out faster than thighs.

Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

You can partially cook the chicken and rice separately, then combine and finish cooking together when ready to serve for fresher texture.

Print

One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe

A flavorful and easy one-pan recipe combining juicy honey BBQ chicken with tender rice and vegetables, cooked together for a comforting, bold meal in just 40 minutes.

  • Author: luca
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Rice and Sauce

  • 1 cup long-grain rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce
  • ¼ cup honey

Vegetables

  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)

Instructions

  1. Season and sear the chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, sprinkle the chicken thighs or breasts evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sear the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side until browned and fragrant.
  2. Prepare the honey BBQ sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce and honey until smoothly combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the seared chicken in the skillet.
  3. Add rice and broth: Pour the uncooked long-grain rice into the skillet, followed by the chicken broth. Stir gently to combine everything, ensuring the rice is submerged in the liquid.
  4. Simmer and cook: Bring the skillet mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for about 20 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed the broth and is tender.
  5. Add vegetables to steam: In the final 5 minutes of cooking, spread the mixed vegetables evenly over the rice and chicken. Cover and allow the vegetables to steam until just cooked through.
  6. Rest and serve: Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving. Portion out the chicken, rice, and vegetables evenly onto plates and enjoy your bold honey BBQ chicken rice meal.

Notes

  • For best results, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier meat, but breasts work well too.
  • You can substitute mixed vegetables with your favorites or seasonal fresh veggies.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
  • Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content.
  • Ensure the skillet has a tight-fitting lid to properly steam the rice and vegetables.
  • This dish can be doubled easily by using a larger skillet or pan.

Keywords: honey BBQ chicken, one-pan recipe, chicken and rice, easy dinner, skillet meal, comfort food

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