Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Short, Catchy Intro

So you want comfort food that smells like a backyard grill but cooks in one pan and makes you feel like a kitchen wizard? Same. This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is basically dinner-level magic with minimal fuss. If you like sticky sweet glaze, tender chicken, and rice that soaks up all the good stuff, you are exactly where you need to be.

Want a slightly different vibe later? I used a recipe vibe from Southern Comfort smothered chicken rice for inspiration on cozy one-pan dinners and adapted it to bring honey and BBQ sauce into the mix. Trust me, this one pans out.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

It cooks in one pan so you save time and your dishwasher gets lonely. The sauce is sticky but not clingy in a bad way. It gives you sweet, tangy, smoky notes while the rice absorbs the flavor like it has feelings.

It is pretty forgiving too. Overcook a little rice? No big deal. Over-season? Rescue it with yogurt or lemon. In other words it is someone-friendly, guest-friendly, and weeknight-friendly. FYI if you are new to cooking this recipe will boost your confidence without making you sweat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Cheap, flavorful, forgiving.
• 1 cup long-grain rice. Not fancy, just reliable.
• 2 cups chicken broth. Use low sodium if you are picky.
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce. Pick your favorite bottle of tang.
• 1/4 cup honey. Sweet and shiny.
• 1 tsp garlic powder. Easy garlic, no peel drama.
• 1 tsp onion powder. Because onion choppin is optional.
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. For that campfire vibe.
• Salt and pepper to taste. Obvious but essential.
• 1 cup mixed vegetables optional. Frozen peas and carrots are my lazy go-to.
• Chopped green onions for garnish. Because green things make food look professional.
• Optional but recommended for the sauce: 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 clove minced garlic. These add depth. Not in the main list above but they play nice in the sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub it in like you mean it. Let sit for a minute while you heat the pan.

2. Heat a skillet over medium heat and sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Work in batches if needed. Remove and set aside.

3. In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Stir until glossy. Taste it. Make it sweeter, tangier, or saltier if you want.

4. In the same pan, toast the uncooked rice for 1-2 minutes. Stir constantly so it does not burn. The rice will smell nutty and that is a good sign.

5. Add chicken broth and half the sauce. Stir to combine. Scrape the browned bits from the pan so nothing gets wasted.

6. Return the chicken to the pan, pour remaining sauce over the top. Nestle the thighs into the rice so everyone gets a spa day.

7. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. No peeking. Steam does its thing.

8. Add mixed vegetables, cover, and cook for 5 more minutes or until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through. If rice is still firm add a splash of broth and a couple more minutes.

9. Let sit for 5 minutes. The rest period helps the rice settle and the sauce thicken.

10. Garnish with green onions and serve hot. Eat like you mean it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not seasoning the chicken. Seasoning is not optional. Salt fixes most dinner crimes.
• Crowding the pan when searing. If the chicken steams it will never get that golden crust. One or two pieces at a time if your skillet is small.
• Peeking while it simmers. Lifting the lid steals steam and adds cooking time. Resist the urge.
• Using the wrong rice. Short grain will get mushy. Long-grain gives you fluffy results. Trust the rice.
• Forgetting to scrape up the browned bits. Those bits are flavor currency. Spend them generously.
• Skimping on the sauce. This dish lives or dies by the sauce. Make it bold enough to shine through the rice.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• Chicken swap. Use boneless skinless chicken breasts if you prefer white meat. Cook time may drop a little. I prefer thighs for juiciness but do you.
• Sauce swap. No BBQ sauce? Mix ketchup, a splash of vinegar, a little mustard, and honey. Not identical but still tasty.
• Honey sub. Maple syrup or brown sugar work. Maple adds a deeper flavor. Brown sugar gives that molasses note.
• Rice swap. Want to make it brown rice? Increase liquid and simmer time. Brown rice needs more patience and extra broth.
• Vegetarian vibe. Toss in a can of drained chickpeas and swap chicken broth for vegetable broth. Add extra veggies to bulk it up. IMO still delicious.
• Spice it up. Add a pinch of cayenne or a drizzle of hot sauce if you crave heat.
• Veggie ideas. Bell peppers, corn, or broccoli all play nice. Frozen mixed veggies are the lazy chef hero.

FAQ

1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
   You bet. Chicken breasts cook a bit faster and can dry if overcooked. Watch the time and rest the meat for juiciness.

2. Can I make this in the oven instead of on the stove?
   Sure. Sear the chicken on the stove, then combine rice and broth in an ovenproof dish, nestle the chicken on top, cover with foil, and bake at 375 F for about 25 minutes. Check the rice for doneness.

3. Is it okay to use instant rice?
   Technically yes but the texture changes. Instant rice soaks up less sauce and can turn mushy. I recommend regular long-grain rice for best results.

4. Can I prep this ahead and reheat?
   Yes. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to revive the rice.

5. My sauce turned out too sweet. Now what?
   Add a splash of soy sauce or apple cider vinegar to balance it. A pinch of salt helps too. Taste as you go.

6. What if my rice is still crunchy after the cook time?
   Add 1/4 cup extra broth, cover, and cook for 3-5 more minutes. Patience plus steam usually fixes it.

7. Can I freeze leftovers?
   Yes freeze in portions with a little extra sauce. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove. Texture might change slightly but flavor remains.

Final Thoughts

This meal feels fancy but it is not. It is the kind of dish that wins you compliments without making your evening full of fuss. One pan, sticky sauce, cozy rice, minimal cleanup. Try it, tweak it, and then take a victory bite.

Now go impress someone or just treat yourself. You did the work. Celebrate with a fork.

Conclusion

If you want extra inspiration for honey BBQ chicken dishes check out the recipe for Honey BBQ Chicken Bowls at Easy Family Recipes for a bowl-style take. For a store product comparison and ideas on ready-made mixes see the BEN’S ORIGINAL Street Food Honey BBQ Bean & Rice page. If you want another recipe version similar to this one take a look at Honey BBQ Chicken Rice at Gourmet Martha.

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten-Free

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Description

This one-pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is effortless comfort food with sticky sweet glaze and tender chicken, perfectly absorbing delicious flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (optional)
• Chopped green onions for garnish
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (optional)
• 1 clove minced garlic (optional)

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Instructions

1. Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let sit while you heat the pan.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat and sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
3. Mix BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic in a bowl. Stir until glossy and adjust to taste.
4. In the same pan, toast the uncooked rice for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
5. Add chicken broth and half the sauce, scraping the browned bits from the pan.
6. Return the chicken to the pan and pour the remaining sauce over the top.
7. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
8. Add mixed vegetables, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until rice is tender.
9. Let sit for 5 minutes, garnish with green onions, and serve hot.

Notes

Different meats can be substituted based on preference, and various sauces can be adjusted for a personal touch. Frozen mixed veggies are a great shortcut.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Southern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Honey BBQ Chicken, One-Pan Recipe, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, Chicken Rice