Description
This honey BBQ chicken rice is a simple one-pan dinner made with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a sweet-savory BBQ sauce. It’s an easy, family-friendly meal that comes together with minimal prep and delivers comforting flavor on busy weeknights.
Ingredients
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→ Protein
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1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
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→ Grains
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1 cup long-grain rice
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→ Liquids
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2 cups chicken broth
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→ Sauces
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1/2 cup BBQ sauce
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1/4 cup honey
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→ Spices
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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→ Vegetables
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1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
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→ Garnish
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Chopped green onions or parsley (optional)
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Instructions
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Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Season the chicken on both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
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Add a drizzle of oil to the pan and sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
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In the same pan, add the uncooked rice and toast it for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently.
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Pour in the chicken broth, then stir in the BBQ sauce and honey until well combined.
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Return the seared chicken to the pan, nestling it into the rice mixture.
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Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
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Sprinkle the mixed vegetables evenly over the rice. Cover again and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
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Fluff the rice gently with a fork, garnish with green onions or parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
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Searing the chicken first adds flavor and helps keep it juicy during simmering.
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Toasting the rice briefly improves texture and prevents it from becoming mushy.
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Keep the heat low while simmering so the rice absorbs liquid evenly.
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Leftovers reheat well with a small splash of broth to loosen the rice.