One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe
This One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe combines tender, seared chicken thighs with flavorful BBQ sauce and honey, cooked together with rice and mixed vegetables for an easy, delicious, and comforting meal all prepared in a single skillet.
- 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
Protein:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Grains:
- 1 cup long-grain rice
Liquids:
- 2 cups chicken broth
Sauces:
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your choice)
- 1/4 cup honey
Spices:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables:
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
Garnish (Optional):
- Chopped green onions or parsley
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add a drizzle of oil to the pan and sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until it develops a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Rice: Using the same pan, add the uncooked rice and toast it for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning and to enhance its nutty flavor. Then pour in the chicken broth, and stir in the BBQ sauce and honey, mixing everything to combine well.
- Simmer Everything Together: Nestle the seared chicken piece back into the rice mixture in the pan. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let everything simmer for 15 minutes to allow the rice to cook and the flavors to meld.
- Add the Vegetables: After 15 minutes of simmering, sprinkle the mixed vegetables evenly over the rice. Cover the pan again and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the rice is tender, the vegetables are heated through, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.
- Serve & Garnish: Remove the pan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the rice to firm up slightly. Then fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired, and serve hot for a comforting one-pan meal.
Notes
- You can use either chicken thighs or breasts depending on your preference; thighs will be juicier while breasts are leaner.
- Adjust the BBQ sauce type and sweetness level by choosing your favorite brand or flavor of BBQ sauce.
- For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes when seasoning the chicken.
- If using frozen mixed vegetables, no need to thaw before adding; they will cook sufficiently during simmering.
- Make sure to keep the heat low during simmering to prevent the rice from sticking or burning at the bottom.
Keywords: one-pan, honey BBQ chicken, chicken and rice, skillet meal, easy dinner, quick chicken recipe, one-pot meal
