Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable Version)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with fluffy rice and vegetables, all made in one pan for easy weeknight cooking.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - Salt and pepper to taste
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
05 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Sauce

06 - 0.5 cup BBQ sauce
07 - 0.25 cup honey

→ Rice and Vegetables

08 - 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed
09 - 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup mixed vegetables such as bell peppers, peas, and carrots, fresh or frozen

# Directions:

01 - Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a light drizzle of oil if needed. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce and honey. Pour mixture over chicken and stir to coat evenly.
04 - Add rinsed rice and chicken broth to the pan. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 20 minutes.
06 - During the last 5 minutes of cooking, scatter mixed vegetables on top. Cover again and allow them to steam until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup is just a quick scrub and you're done.
  • The rice soaks up all that sweet, tangy glaze and tastes like the best part of a BBQ plate.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are lurking in your crisper drawer without ruining a thing.
  • It reheats beautifully the next day, sometimes even better when the flavors have had time to meld.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice or you'll end up with a sticky, clumpy mess instead of fluffy grains.
  • If you lift the lid during the simmer, steam escapes and the rice won't cook evenly, so resist peeking.
  • Let the pan rest off the heat for those final 5 minutes, it makes all the difference in texture.
03 -
  • Use a heavy bottomed skillet with a tight lid to ensure even heat distribution and prevent scorching.
  • If your BBQ sauce is too thick, thin it with a tablespoon of water or broth before mixing with the honey.
  • For extra caramelization, let the pan sit on low heat for an additional 2 to 3 minutes after the rice is done to crisp the bottom layer.
Return