One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with fluffy rice and vegetables, all cooked together in one pan for easy cleanup.

# What You Need:

→ 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 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Sauce

06 - ½ cup BBQ sauce
07 - ¼ cup honey

→ Rice & Vegetables

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

# Directions:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so theres almost no cleanup and the rice soaks up all that sweet, smoky glaze.
  • The honey BBQ sauce caramelizes just enough to coat every bite without being heavy or overly sweet.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are lingering in your fridge and they steam perfectly on top during the last few minutes.
  • Its hearty enough to feel like a real dinner but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
02 -
  • Rinse your rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear, or the finished dish will be gummy instead of fluffy.
  • Dont lift the lid while the rice is simmering or youll release the steam and end up with crunchy, undercooked grains.
  • If your BBQ sauce is very thick, add an extra tablespoon or two of water or broth so it mixes smoothly with the rice.
  • Let the pan rest off the heat for those final five minutes; the rice will firm up and separate beautifully.
03 -
  • Use a heavy bottomed skillet with a tight fitting lid to ensure even heat distribution and proper steaming.
  • A splash of apple cider vinegar in the honey BBQ sauce adds a tangy brightness that balances the sweetness perfectly.
  • If your chicken pieces are uneven in size, cut them smaller so they cook through at the same rate as the rice.
  • Taste the dish before serving and adjust with a pinch of salt, a drizzle of honey, or a squeeze of lime depending on what it needs.
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