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Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 108 reviews

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a flavorful one-pan meal combining tender seared chicken, smoky barbecue sauce, sweet honey, and perfectly cooked rice with mixed vegetables. This hearty and comforting dish is easy to prepare on the stovetop, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that brings together sweet, savory, and smoky flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil, divided

Rice and Liquid

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups chicken broth, preferably low-sodium
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (mesquite flavor recommended for extra smokiness)
  • 1/4 cup honey

Vegetables and Garnish

  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh – peas, carrots, corn, and bell peppers work well)
  • 2–3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Extra drizzle of BBQ sauce for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ingredients: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces if using breasts. Mix garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear and drain thoroughly. Measure out all remaining ingredients.
  2. Season and sear the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mix over the chicken. Once oil is hot, add chicken in a single layer without overcrowding, searing 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown but not fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Toast the rice: Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the same pan. Add rinsed rice and remaining seasoning mixture. Stir constantly and cook for 1-2 minutes until rice edges become translucent and aromatic, enhancing flavor depth.
  4. Add liquids and sauce: Pour in chicken broth, BBQ sauce, and honey carefully, scraping up any browned bits from the pan bottom. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil, then lower heat.
  5. Return chicken and simmer: Nestle seared chicken pieces back into the rice mixture. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes without lifting the lid or stirring, to allow the rice to cook evenly with steam.
  6. Add vegetables: After 15 minutes, spread mixed vegetables evenly over the top. Cover again immediately and continue cooking another 5 minutes, until rice is tender, vegetables are heated through, and chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
  7. Rest and fluff: Remove pan from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and rice to absorb remaining liquid. Then uncover and gently fluff rice with a fork, mixing in vegetables carefully.
  8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle thinly sliced green onions and chopped parsley on top. For extra BBQ flavor, drizzle additional sauce over the dish. Serve hot directly from the skillet or transfer to a serving dish.

Notes

  • Using mesquite-flavored BBQ sauce enhances the smoky flavor but any BBQ sauce will work.
  • Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey to suit your taste.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the seasoning mix.
  • If using frozen vegetables, no need to thaw before adding; just add them frozen.
  • Do not lift the lid during simmering to ensure even cooking of rice.
  • Chicken thighs provide more juiciness, but breasts work well if preferred leaner meat.

Keywords: Honey BBQ Chicken Rice, one-pan chicken rice, BBQ chicken recipe, stovetop chicken rice, smoky chicken rice, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/honey-bbq-chicken-rice-recipe/