Easy One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe
This Easy One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice is a flavorful and quick weeknight dinner that combines tender, juicy chicken thighs with perfectly cooked rice all simmered in a sweet and tangy honey barbecue sauce. With minimal prep and a single-pan cooking method, this recipe is both convenient and delicious, perfect for busy evenings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dish:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
For Cooking:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine honey and barbecue sauce until well mixed. Set aside this sweet and tangy sauce which will add great flavor to the chicken and rice.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, and paprika. When the oil is hot, add the chicken and sear each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
- Cook the Aromatics: In the same pan, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant, creating a flavorful base for the rice.
- Add the Rice: Stir in the uncooked long-grain white rice and cook for 1 minute to coat the grains with oil and aromatics, lightly toasting the rice for enhanced flavor.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour in chicken broth (or water) and stir to combine. Return the seared chicken to the pan, placing it on top of the rice. Drizzle the honey BBQ sauce evenly over the chicken and rice.
- Cook Until Done: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet and let simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked through. The dish will fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but thighs provide more moisture and flavor.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure your barbecue sauce does not contain gluten.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper when seasoning the chicken.
- For a garnish alternative, green onions or cilantro work well with this dish.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: honey BBQ chicken, one-pan meal, chicken and rice, quick dinner, easy weeknight recipe, skillet chicken
