Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a comforting one-pan meal featuring tender boneless chicken thighs cooked in a flavorful honey and BBQ sauce glaze, paired with fluffy long-grain rice simmered in chicken broth. Enhanced with garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, and optional mixed vegetables, this dish is both hearty and easy to prepare, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Rice and Cooking Liquid
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (optional)
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, evenly coat the boneless chicken thighs with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to infuse the meat with aromatic spices.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the seasoned chicken thighs. Cook each side for 3–4 minutes until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside for later.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic to create a sweet and savory glaze that will complement the chicken and rice.
- Toast the Rice: Using the same skillet, add the uncooked long-grain rice and toast it for 1–2 minutes. This step enhances the rice’s flavor with a slight nuttiness.
- Add Cooking Liquid and Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth along with half of the prepared BBQ-honey sauce. Stir everything together to evenly distribute flavors and deglaze the pan.
- Simmer with Chicken: Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, arranging them on top of the rice. Drizzle the remaining sauce over the chicken. Cover the pan and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the liquid and the chicken to cook through.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the mixed vegetables if using, cover again, and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the rice is tender, the chicken is fully cooked, and the vegetables are softened.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving hot.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat compared to chicken breasts.
- Mixed vegetables can include peas, carrots, bell peppers, or corn depending on preference.
- If you want a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly or simmer uncovered for a few minutes before serving.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes when seasoning the chicken.
- This dish is best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Honey BBQ Chicken, Chicken Rice, One-pan meal, BBQ sauce, Honey glaze, Skillet dinner, Easy chicken recipe
Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/honey-bbq-chicken-rice-recipe/
