One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable Version)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with fluffy rice and vegetables, all cooked together in one pan for quick cleanup.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

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

→ Sauce

06 - ½ cup BBQ sauce
07 - ¼ cup honey

→ Rice & Vegetables

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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil if needed. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes on each side until lightly browned
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce and honey. Pour the mixture over the chicken and stir to coat evenly
04 - Add 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 mixed vegetables on top. Cover again and let steam until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed
07 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork before serving

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so theres no juggling pots or timing side dishes.
  • The honey BBQ glaze seeps into the rice and makes every bite sticky and sweet.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are hiding in your freezer and it still works.
  • It reheats beautifully, which means lunch is already sorted.
02 -
  • Rinse the rice or it will turn sticky and clump together instead of staying light and fluffy.
  • Do not lift the lid while the rice simmers, every time you peek you lose steam and the rice cooks unevenly.
  • If you use brown rice, add ten to fifteen more minutes and an extra half cup of broth or it will stay crunchy.
03 -
  • Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the honey BBQ sauce for a tangy kick that balances the sweetness.
  • Use a clear glass lid if you have one, so you can check the rice without releasing steam.
  • For deeper flavor, let the chicken marinate in the spice blend for thirty minutes before cooking.
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