One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printer-Friendly)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with fluffy rice and vegetables, all cooked in one pan for an easy weeknight meal.

# What You'll 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 and 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 It:

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 seared chicken and stir to coat evenly.
04 - Add rinsed rice and chicken broth to the pan with the chicken. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring to a simmer, then 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 and let 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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so you are not stuck scrubbing multiple pots while dinner gets cold.
  • The honey BBQ glaze soaks into the rice as it simmers, giving every bite a sticky, smoky sweetness.
  • You can swap the vegetables for whatever is lurking in your freezer and it still turns out great.
  • It is fast enough for a weeknight but impressive enough that guests think you planned it.
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the rice or you will end up with a sticky, clumpy mess instead of fluffy grains.
  • If you lift the lid during the simmer, you release the steam and the rice will not cook through properly.
  • Low sodium broth is key because the BBQ sauce and honey are already sweet and salty, and you can always add more salt at the end.
03 -
  • A splash of apple cider vinegar in the honey BBQ sauce brightens the whole dish and cuts through the sweetness.
  • If your pan does not have a tight lid, cover it with foil first and then the lid to trap as much steam as possible.
  • Taste the rice before serving and add a squeeze of lime or a pinch of salt if it needs a little lift.
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