Description
This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a flavorful one-pan dish combining tender, boneless chicken thighs with smoky BBQ sauce, honey, and perfectly cooked long-grain rice. Easy to prepare and garnished with fresh green onions, it’s a delicious and comforting American dinner option with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 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 Broth
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (optional)
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to enhance their flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken thighs for 3–4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic until well combined to create a sweet and smoky glaze.
- Toast Rice: In the same skillet, add the uncooked rice and toast it for 1–2 minutes to bring out a nutty aroma and prevent clumping.
- Add Broth and Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and half of the prepared sauce. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer with Chicken: Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the rice. Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken, then cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and rice to cook.
- Add Vegetables: Add mixed vegetables if using, cover again, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the rice is tender, vegetables are cooked, and chicken is fully cooked through.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from heat and let the dish rest covered for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use long-grain rice for the best texture and fluffiness.
- Adjust the sweetness by increasing or decreasing the amount of honey based on your preference.
- For extra smokiness, try using mesquite or hickory-flavored BBQ sauce.
- To make a vegetarian version, substitute chicken thighs with firm tofu or chickpeas for added protein.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- 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, BBQ chicken rice, one-pan chicken recipe, easy dinner, American chicken recipe, sweet and smoky chicken, chicken thighs with rice
