One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Print version)

Tender chicken with honey BBQ sauce, fluffy rice, and vibrant vegetables, all in one pan for a quick, hearty meal with easy cleanup.

# 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 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp onion powder
05 - ½ tsp smoked paprika

→ Sauce

06 - ½ cup BBQ sauce
07 - ¼ cup honey

→ Rice & Vegetables

08 - 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed
09 - 2 cups chicken broth, low sodium recommended
10 - 1 cup mixed vegetables such as bell peppers, peas, carrots; fresh or frozen

# How to Make:

01 - Season chicken pieces thoroughly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika, ensuring even coating on all sides.
02 - Heat a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil if needed. Sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce and honey until fully combined. Pour the mixture over the chicken in the pan and stir to coat evenly.
04 - Add the rinsed rice and chicken broth to the pan. Stir gently to distribute ingredients evenly throughout the mixture.
05 - Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 20 minutes or until rice begins to tenderize.
06 - Scatter the mixed vegetables on top during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Cover again and let steam until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan so you spend less time cleaning up and more time enjoying your evening
  • The honey and BBQ sauce create this incredible caramelized coating that makes every bite feel special
  • It comes together in 40 minutes start to finish which is a lifesaver on busy weeknights
02 -
  • The 5 minute resting period is absolutely mandatory because cutting it short will leave you with gummy undercooked rice
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid while it simmers since releasing that steam will ruin the rice texture
  • If your BBQ sauce is particularly thin reduce the broth by ¼ cup to prevent the rice from becoming mushy
03 -
  • Use a heavy bottomed pan or cast iron skillet for the most even heat distribution and best browning
  • If you want extra crispy bits let the rice cook undisturbed for the final 2 minutes to create a crust at the bottom of the pan
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