Easy One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe
Introduction
Easy One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice is a flavorful, comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe combines juicy chicken thighs with tender rice cooked in a sweet and tangy honey barbecue sauce—all made in one pan for minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
- 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
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together the honey and barbecue sauce until well combined. Set aside.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika, then sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Step 3: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the same pan. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in the uncooked rice and cook for 1 minute, coating it with the oil and aromatics.
- Step 5: Pour in chicken broth and stir to combine. Return the chicken to the pan, placing it on top of the rice, then pour the honey BBQ sauce evenly over everything.
- Step 6: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use chicken breasts instead of thighs for a leaner option, but watch cooking times as breasts cook faster.
- Substitute brown rice for a healthier twist—just increase cooking time and liquid accordingly.
- Try sugar-free barbecue sauce or homemade sauce using ketchup and vinegar for a lighter alternative.
- Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar if avoiding honey.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers, corn, or broccoli with the onion and garlic for extra nutrition and color.
- Rinse rice under cold water before cooking to prevent it from becoming gummy.
- Keep the lid on during simmering to trap steam and cook the rice evenly.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to heat evenly.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I Use Frozen Chicken for This Recipe?
Yes, but ensure the chicken is fully thawed before cooking. Thaw in the fridge overnight or use the quick thaw method by sealing the chicken in a plastic bag and submerging it in cold water.
Can I Substitute Brown Rice for White Rice?
Absolutely. Brown rice requires more cooking time—about 25-30 minutes—and extra liquid. Adjust simmering time as needed to ensure it cooks through.
Print
Easy One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Easy One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice recipe combines juicy chicken thighs with flavorful honey BBQ sauce, cooked together with aromatic rice and a touch of spices, all in a single skillet. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish is simple, comforting, and requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
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, mix together the honey and barbecue sauce until well combined. This sweet and tangy sauce will add great flavor to your dish. Set it aside for later!
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Cook the Aromatics: In the same pan, add the 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 rice and cook for 1 minute to coat it in oil and aromatics, lightly toasting the grains for enhanced flavor.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth (or water) and stir to combine. Return the seared chicken to the pan, placing it on top of the rice. Pour 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 and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the pan from heat and let it rest covered for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a bright finish.
Notes
- Always rinse your rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent it from getting gummy.
- Keep the lid on while simmering to trap steam and cook rice evenly.
- If rice isn’t fully cooked, add a splash more water and continue cooking with the lid on until tender.
- Brown rice can be used instead; increase cooking time by 7-10 minutes and add more liquid accordingly.
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs but watch cooking time to avoid drying out.
- Use sugar-free BBQ sauce or maple syrup/agave as healthier alternatives to honey and BBQ sauce.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers, corn, or broccoli alongside onions for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: one-pan meal, honey BBQ chicken, chicken and rice, easy dinner, skillet recipe, weeknight dinner
