One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable Version)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with fluffy rice and colorful vegetables, all cooked together in one pan for a quick, hearty meal.

# 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 such as bell peppers, peas, and carrots (fresh or frozen)

# How to Make:

01 - Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Sear chicken for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce and honey. Pour the mixture over the chicken and stir to coat evenly.
04 - Add rinsed rice and chicken broth to the pan. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 20 minutes.
06 - In the last 5 minutes of cooking, scatter mixed vegetables on top. Cover again and let them 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 -
  • Only one pan to wash means you can actually sit down with your family instead of scrubbing pots until bedtime.
  • The honey BBQ glaze caramelizes just enough to give the chicken a sticky, finger-licking coating without any grilling required.
  • Rice cooked in chicken broth soaks up every bit of sauce, so every forkful is packed with flavor.
  • Tossing in vegetables at the end keeps them bright and crisp, adding color and crunch without extra effort.
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the rice or you will end up with a gummy, clumpy mess instead of fluffy grains.
  • If your BBQ sauce is very thick, thin it with a tablespoon of water or broth so it coats the chicken evenly and does not scorch.
  • Keep the lid on during the entire simmer, lifting it releases steam and can leave you with crunchy, undercooked rice.
03 -
  • Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or a pan with a tight-fitting lid to prevent hot spots and ensure the rice cooks evenly without scorching.
  • Taste your BBQ sauce before adding the honey, if it is already sweet, cut the honey back to two tablespoons so the dish does not turn cloying.
  • Let the pan sit off the heat for the full five minutes before fluffing, this final steam makes all the difference between good rice and perfect rice.
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