Description
This easy one-pan honey BBQ chicken and rice recipe combines tender chicken thighs seared to perfection with a flavorful honey and barbecue sauce, cooked together with aromatic onions and garlic-infused rice. Ready in just 30 minutes, this wholesome meal is perfect for quick weeknight dinners, delivering a sweet and tangy taste with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dish:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
For Cooking:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the honey and barbecue sauce until well combined. This sweet and tangy sauce will add great flavor to your dish. Set it aside for later.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the pan and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Cook the Aromatics: In the same pan, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant, creating a flavorful base for the rice.
- Add the Rice: Stir in the uncooked rice and let it cook for 1 minute to coat with the oil and aromatics, toasting it slightly for enhanced flavor.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth or water and stir to combine. Return the seared chicken to the pan, placing it on top of the rice. Pour the honey BBQ sauce evenly over everything.
- Cook Until Done: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the pan from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but adjust cooking time slightly to avoid overcooking.
- Feel free to use water instead of chicken broth for a lighter version.
- Use your favorite BBQ sauce brand and flavor to customize the taste.
- To make this dish spicier, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
- Ensure the pan is properly covered during simmering to cook the rice evenly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Honey BBQ chicken, one-pan meal, chicken and rice, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, skillet chicken, weeknight dinner
