One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice – Flavorful, Easy, and Comforting

This One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a hearty and flavorful meal that combines tender chicken smothered in a sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce with perfectly cooked rice, all made in a single pan. It’s an effortless dish that delivers big taste with minimal cleanup, making it ideal for busy weeknights or anytime you want a satisfying, home-cooked dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bold & Tangy – Honey BBQ sauce adds a delicious sweet and smoky flavor.
One-Pan Convenience – Everything cooks together for easy prep and cleanup.
Quick & Simple – Ready in under 40 minutes with minimal effort.
Filling & Balanced – Protein-packed chicken paired with hearty rice.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup honey BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sear the Chicken
    Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear on both sides until golden brown, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  2. Cook Aromatics
    In the same pan, add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add Rice and Broth
    Stir in rinsed rice, coating it in the onion and garlic mixture. Pour in chicken broth and honey BBQ sauce, stirring to combine.
  4. Simmer with Chicken
    Return the chicken to the pan, placing it on top of the rice mixture. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
  5. Serve
    Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Calories: ~400
Protein: 35g
Fat: 10g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Sugar: 8g
Fiber: 2g

Tips for Success

Use Good Quality BBQ Sauce – It makes a big difference in flavor.
Rinse Rice Well – Helps prevent stickiness and ensures fluffier rice.
Don’t Lift the Lid While Cooking – To allow rice to steam properly and chicken to cook evenly.

Why This Recipe Works

Cooking the chicken and rice together allows the honey BBQ sauce to infuse both components with rich, smoky sweetness. The one-pan method locks in moisture, making the chicken juicy and the rice flavorful, creating a perfectly balanced, comforting meal.

This One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe is a delicious, no-fuss dinner that combines savory chicken and sweet BBQ flavor with tender rice — all in one pan for easy prep and cleanup. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s a perfect choice for a satisfying weeknight meal.

One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice – Flavorful, Easy, and Comforting

Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Calories

400

kcal

Tender chicken thighs simmered in a bold honey BBQ sauce with perfectly cooked rice — a one-pan meal that’s easy, flavorful, and perfect for busy nights.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth

  • ½ cup honey BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Sear the Chicken
    Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear on both sides until golden brown, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  • Cook Aromatics
    In the same pan, add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  • Add Rice and Broth
    Stir in rinsed rice, coating it in the onion and garlic mixture. Pour in chicken broth and honey BBQ sauce, stirring to combine.
  • Simmer with Chicken
    Return the chicken to the pan, placing it on top of the rice mixture. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
  • Serve
    Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use Good Quality BBQ Sauce – It makes a big difference in flavor.
    Rinse Rice Well – Helps prevent stickiness and ensures fluffier rice.
    Don’t Lift the Lid While Cooking – To allow rice to steam properly and chicken to cook evenly.

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