Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Ultimate One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a game-changer for busy home cooks. The combination of sweet honey and tangy BBQ sauce creates an irresistible glaze that coats every grain of rice and piece of chicken. Since everything cooks in one pan, you’ll spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying this delicious meal with your family.

The recipe is incredibly versatile and forgiving, making it perfect for both novice and experienced cooks. The chicken stays moist and flavorful while the rice absorbs all those bold honey BBQ flavors, creating a complete meal that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

1 cup long-grain rice
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your choice)

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 (frozen or fresh)

Chopped green onions or parsley (optional, for garnish)

How to Make One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Honey BBQ Sauce In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. This creates your signature honey BBQ glaze that will coat everything beautifully.

Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Heat a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil and sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 3: Toast the Rice In the same pan, add the rice and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. This step adds depth of flavor to your Ultimate One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice.

Step 4: Add Liquid and Seasonings Pour in the chicken broth and half of your honey BBQ sauce mixture. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 5: Nestle and Bake Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it into the rice. Brush the remaining honey BBQ sauce over the chicken. Cover tightly with foil or a lid and bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes.

Step 6: Add Vegetables and Finish Remove from oven, add the mixed vegetables around the chicken, and bake uncovered for an additional 8-10 minutes until rice is tender and chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.

Step 7: Rest and Serve Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley for a fresh finish.

Helpful Tips

Choose chicken thighs over breasts when possible, as they stay more tender and juicy during the cooking process. If using chicken breasts, consider pounding them to an even thickness for uniform cooking.

Don’t skip the rice toasting step, as this prevents the grains from becoming mushy and gives your Ultimate One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice better texture and flavor.

For the best results, use a heavy-bottomed, oven-safe pan that distributes heat evenly. Cast iron skillets work exceptionally well for this recipe.

If your rice seems too dry during cooking, add an additional 1/4 cup of chicken broth. Every rice variety absorbs liquid differently, so adjust as needed.

Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Difficulty: Easy

This Ultimate One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe scales easily for larger families or meal prep. The combination of protein, starch, and vegetables makes it a complete meal that satisfies everyone at the table.

Notes

For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to your honey BBQ sauce mixture. You can also substitute the mixed vegetables with your family’s favorites like bell peppers, corn, or green beans.

The dish reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth.

If you prefer a stronger BBQ flavor, reserve some of the sauce mixture to drizzle over the finished dish before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice? Yes, but you’ll need to increase the cooking time to 45-50 minutes and add an extra 1/2 cup of chicken broth, as brown rice requires more liquid and longer cooking time.

What’s the best BBQ sauce to use? Any quality BBQ sauce works well in this Ultimate One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice. Sweet and smoky varieties complement the honey particularly well, but feel free to use your family’s favorite.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time? While best served fresh, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time. Combine the sauce, season the chicken, and measure out your rice and vegetables. When ready to cook, simply follow the instructions.

Is this recipe gluten-free? This recipe can be gluten-free if you use a gluten-free BBQ sauce. Always check your BBQ sauce label, as some contain wheat-based ingredients.

Can I double this recipe? Absolutely! Use a larger pan and increase cooking time by 5-10 minutes. Make sure your pan is large enough to accommodate everything in a single layer.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover Ultimate One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. For best results when reheating, add a tablespoon of chicken broth or water to prevent the rice from drying out.

This dish can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The texture may be slightly different after freezing, but the flavors remain delicious.

When reheating, use the microwave on 50% power to heat gently, or reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of liquid.

Related Recipes

Looking for more one-pan dinner inspirations? Check out these delicious recipes from RunofLif.com:

One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Rice

Conclusion

This Ultimate One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice proves that weeknight dinners don’t have to be complicated to be delicious. With its perfect balance of sweet honey and smoky BBQ flavors, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked rice, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort.

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and versatility. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or food enthusiasts, the familiar flavors of honey and BBQ sauce make this a crowd-pleaser every time. Plus, with everything cooking in one pan, cleanup is a breeze, leaving you more time to enjoy dinner with your loved ones.

Try this Ultimate One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice tonight and discover why it’s destined to become a regular in your dinner rotation. The combination of convenience, flavor, and satisfaction makes it the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want something special without the stress.