Description
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a flavorful, one-pan dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce, served over perfectly cooked long-grain rice with optional mixed vegetables for a complete and comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Rice and Sauce
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (added based on the instructions)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (added based on the instructions)
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (optional)
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, season the boneless, skinless chicken thighs with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to ensure even flavoring on the chicken before cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken thighs for 3–4 minutes per side until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic, mixing well to create a sweet and smoky sauce that will infuse the dish with flavor.
- Toast the Rice: In the same skillet used for the chicken, toast the uncooked long-grain rice for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently to slightly brown the rice and enhance its nutty flavor.
- Cook the Rice and Chicken: Add the chicken broth and half of the prepared sauce to the skillet with the toasted rice. Stir to combine, then return the seared chicken thighs to the pan and pour the remaining sauce over the top.
- Simmer Covered: Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the broth and the chicken to cook through.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the mixed vegetables if using, cover again, and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and let the dish sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving hot.
Notes
- Use long-grain rice for the best texture and to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey according to your preference.
- For extra smokiness, opt for a mesquite or hickory flavored BBQ sauce instead of regular BBQ sauce.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute chicken thighs with tofu or chickpeas and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pan
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Honey BBQ Chicken Rice, one-pan dinner, chicken thighs recipe, BBQ chicken, easy rice recipes, sweet and smoky chicken
