One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Print page)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with fluffy rice and vegetables, all in one pan.

# 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

# Directions:

01 - Coat chicken pieces evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a light drizzle of oil. Sear chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until lightly browned
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce and honey until well combined
04 - Pour honey BBQ mixture over seared chicken and stir to coat all pieces evenly
05 - Add rinsed rice and chicken broth to the pan, stirring gently to combine with the chicken and glaze
06 - Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20 minutes until rice begins to absorb liquid
07 - Scatter mixed vegetables evenly over the rice in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Cover and allow vegetables to steam until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed
08 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Gently fluff rice with a fork before serving

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so you avoid the usual pile of dishes and can actually sit down when dinner is ready.
  • The honey BBQ glaze clings to every grain of rice, turning plain chicken and vegetables into something kids and adults both reach for seconds of.
  • It is flexible enough to handle whatever vegetables you have on hand or need to use up before they go bad.
  • Prep is under ten minutes, and the stove does the rest while you catch your breath or set the table.
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the rice, or you will end up with a sticky, clumpy texture instead of fluffy grains.
  • If you lift the lid while the rice is simmering, steam escapes and the rice cooks unevenly, so resist the urge to peek.
  • Let the dish rest covered after cooking so the moisture redistributes, which prevents soggy spots and makes fluffing easier.
03 -
  • Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or pan with a tight-fitting lid to prevent scorching and ensure even heat distribution.
  • Taste your BBQ sauce before mixing it with honey so you can adjust the sweetness or add a pinch of salt if needed.
  • If the rice is not quite tender after 20 minutes, add a few tablespoons of broth, cover, and let it steam for another 5 minutes off the heat.
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