BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe
Introduction
This BBQ Chicken Rice recipe is a delightful one-pan meal that combines tender, flavorful chicken with smoky BBQ sauce and perfectly cooked rice. It’s an easy, comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your choice)
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
- Chopped green onions or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat.
- Step 2: Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Step 3: Add a drizzle of oil to the pan and sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Step 4: In the same pan, add the uncooked rice and toast it for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Step 5: Pour in the chicken broth, then stir in the BBQ sauce and honey.
- Step 6: Return the seared chicken to the pan, nestling it into the rice mixture.
- Step 7: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 8: After 15 minutes, sprinkle the mixed vegetables over the rice.
- Step 9: Cover again and continue cooking for 5 more minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
- Step 10: Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice.
- Step 11: Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley, and serve hot.
Tips & Variations
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat, or breasts if you prefer leaner protein.
- Substitute the mixed vegetables with your favorites like bell peppers, corn, or peas.
- Adjust the BBQ sauce amount to make the dish sweeter or tangier.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to keep the rice moist.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use white rice or other types of rice?
Long-grain white rice works best for this recipe because it cooks evenly with the chicken and retains a fluffy texture. Brown rice may require longer cooking and extra liquid.
Is it possible to make this recipe in an Instant Pot or slow cooker?
Yes, you can adapt the recipe for an Instant Pot by sautéing the chicken and toasting the rice on the sauté setting, then cooking under pressure for about 10 minutes. For slow cookers, use pre-cooked chicken and adjust liquid amounts accordingly.
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BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This BBQ Chicken Rice recipe combines tender, flavorful chicken thighs with smoky BBQ sauce-infused rice and vegetables, all cooked together in one skillet for a delicious and easy one-pan meal. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it features a blend of spices and a hint of honey to balance the savory and sweet flavors.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Rice and Broth
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Sauce and Seasonings
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your choice)
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
- Chopped green onions or parsley
Other
- Oil for searing (about 1-2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs or breasts evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil. Place the chicken in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside temporarily.
- Toast the Rice: In the same pan with the residual oil and flavor from the chicken, add the uncooked long-grain rice. Toast it while stirring frequently for 1-2 minutes to develop a nutty aroma.
- Add Liquids and Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth to the toasted rice, then stir in the BBQ sauce and honey until fully combined to create a flavorful cooking liquid.
- Simmer the Chicken and Rice: Nestle the seared chicken back into the skillet, pressing it slightly into the rice mixture. Bring the contents to a gentle boil.
- Cook Covered: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb flavors while the chicken cooks through.
- Add Vegetables: After 15 minutes, evenly sprinkle the mixed vegetables over the rice. Cover again and cook for 5 more minutes to allow vegetables to steam and rice to become tender.
- Check Doneness: Ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and that the rice is tender before removing the pan from heat.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the dish sit covered for 5 minutes off the heat to let flavors meld. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and garnish with freshly chopped green onions or parsley.
- Serve: Serve the BBQ chicken rice hot as a satisfying one-pan meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs if preferred, but thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful.
- Use your favorite BBQ sauce variety to change the flavor profile from sweet to spicy or smoky.
- Frozen mixed vegetables are convenient and work well, but fresh vegetables can add a crisp texture.
- Resting the dish after cooking helps the rice absorb any remaining moisture and improves texture.
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety and perfect doneness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: BBQ chicken recipe, one pan chicken rice, BBQ rice skillet, easy dinner, chicken thighs, rice and chicken, skillet meals
