One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Print Version)

Tender honey BBQ chicken, fluffy rice, and vibrant vegetables all cooked in one pan. A quick, family-friendly meal with simple cleanup.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - Salt and pepper to taste
03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp onion powder
05 - ½ tsp smoked paprika

→ Sauce

06 - ½ cup BBQ sauce
07 - ¼ cup honey

→ Rice & Vegetables

08 - 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed
09 - 2 cups chicken broth, low sodium recommended
10 - 1 cup mixed vegetables such as bell peppers, peas, carrots, fresh or frozen

# Directions:

01 - Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
02 - Heat a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil if needed. Sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce and honey until smooth. Pour the mixture over the chicken in the pan and stir to coat evenly.
04 - Add the rinsed rice and chicken broth to the pan. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 20 minutes.
06 - In the last 5 minutes of cooking, scatter the mixed vegetables on top. Cover again and let them steam until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The honey balances the tangy BBQ sauce perfectly, creating that sticky glazed coating that makes restaurant chicken so addictive
  • Everything cooks in one pan so you get maximum flavor with minimum cleanup, which is basically my life philosophy now
  • The rice absorbs all those savory sweet juices while steaming, so every bite tastes like comfort
02 -
  • The tighter your lid fits, the better your rice will cook, so use one that creates a good seal
  • Letting the pan rest off heat for those 5 minutes seems optional but actually makes the difference between fluffy and gummy rice
  • If youre using brown rice, add extra broth and plan on 10 to 15 minutes more cooking time
03 -
  • Rinse your rice until the water runs mostly clear for the fluffiest texture
  • Listen for the gentle bubbling sound during cooking, vigorous boiling means your heat is too high
  • Use a pan with a heavy bottom to prevent hot spots that can burn the rice at the bottom
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