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Honey BBQ Chicken Rice dish plated with garnishes for a tasty meal

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

A quick and comforting one-skillet meal featuring sticky-sweet BBQ glazed chicken and toasted rice that absorbs all the flavors.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Marinade
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs About 4 thighs
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce Your favorite style — sweet or smoky
  • 1/4 cup honey Adjust for sweetness preference
  • 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 Jasmine or standard long-grain
  • 2 cups chicken broth Use low-sodium if preferred
Vegetables and Garnish
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables Frozen peas/corn/carrot blend works well; optional
  • Chopped green onions For garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a tablespoon of oil. Sear the thighs 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup honey, a splash (about 1 tsp) of soy sauce, and 1 clove minced garlic. Set aside.
Cooking
  1. In the same skillet, add the uncooked rice and toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring so it doesn’t burn.
  2. Pour in the 2 cups chicken broth and stir in half of the BBQ-honey mixture. Scrape any browned bits off the skillet bottom.
  3. Return the chicken to the skillet, placing it on top of the rice. Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
  4. Stir in the mixed vegetables, recover, and cook an additional 4–6 minutes until the rice is tender and chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Remove the skillet from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Notes

For extra flavor, don’t skip toasting the rice. Use thighs for juicier results; if using breasts, reduce simmer time to prevent drying out. Adjust sweetness to taste by altering honey amount.