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
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, 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
