Description
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a flavorful one-pan meal combining tender, seasoned chicken with sweet and tangy BBQ sauce and honey, cooked together with long-grain rice and mixed vegetables. This easy, hearty dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and delivers a comforting blend of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors all in one pot.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Drizzle of oil (for searing)
Rice and Sauce
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your choice)
- ¼ cup honey
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
- Chopped green onions or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan and Heat: Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat to ensure it is hot enough for searing the chicken.
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs or breasts evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to build rich flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Add a drizzle of oil to the pan, then sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and partially cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Toast the Rice: In the same pan, add the uncooked long-grain rice and toast it for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until lightly golden and fragrant.
- Add Liquids and Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, then stir in the BBQ sauce and honey until the mixture is well combined.
- Return Chicken to Pan: Nestle the seared chicken back into the rice mixture, ensuring it is partially submerged in the liquid for even cooking.
- Simmer Covered: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let simmer for 15 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the flavors and the chicken to cook through partially.
- Add Vegetables: After 15 minutes, evenly sprinkle the mixed vegetables over the rice without stirring to allow them to steam on top.
- Cook Until Tender: Cover again and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the pan from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes to finish cooking and intensify flavors. Then fluff the rice gently with a fork.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with chopped green onions or parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish and serve hot.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for more tenderness; breasts work fine too but may be slightly drier.
- Feel free to substitute mixed vegetables with any favorites such as peas, carrots, or bell peppers.
- Adjust honey amount for desired sweetness; more honey will emphasize sweetness, less for a tangier profile.
- Use your preferred BBQ sauce style — smoky, spicy, or sweet — to vary flavor.
- Check internal temperature of chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure food safety (165°F/74°C).
- This recipe can easily be doubled for larger servings using a bigger pan or pot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Honey BBQ Chicken, Chicken Rice, One Pot Meal, Easy Dinner, BBQ Chicken Recipe, Comfort Food
