Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable Version)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with fluffy rice and vegetables—all in one pan for quick, easy family dining.

# 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 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Sauce

06 - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
07 - 1/4 cup honey

→ Rice & Vegetables

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

# Steps:

01 - Season chicken pieces evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a light drizzle of oil. Sear chicken for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
03 - Whisk together BBQ sauce and honey in a small bowl until well combined. Pour over chicken and stir to coat evenly.
04 - Pour rinsed rice and chicken broth into the pan with chicken. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20 minutes.
06 - Scatter mixed vegetables evenly over the rice mixture. Cover and steam for the final 5 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so you skip the pile of dishes and still get layers of flavor.
  • The honey BBQ glaze clings to every bite of chicken and soaks into the rice below.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are lingering in your fridge and they'll taste like they belong.
  • It reheats beautifully the next day, sometimes even better after the flavors meld overnight.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice or you'll end up with a sticky, clumpy texture instead of separate fluffy grains.
  • Use low sodium broth because the BBQ sauce and honey already bring plenty of salt and sweetness to the pan.
  • Let the pan rest covered after cooking so the rice finishes steaming and the flavors settle into every layer.
03 -
  • If your skillet doesn't have a tight fitting lid, cover it with foil pressed snugly around the edges to trap the steam.
  • For a deeper smoky flavor, use a smoked BBQ sauce or add an extra quarter teaspoon of smoked paprika to the spice mix.
  • Let the chicken sear without moving it too much so you get a caramelized crust that holds up under the glaze.
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