One-Pan Bold & Flavorful Honey BBQ Chicken Rice 🍯🍗🍚✨
1. Introduction
If you’re craving a quick, delicious dinner that’s packed with flavor, this honey BBQ chicken rice recipe is exactly what you need. Combining the irresistible sweetness of honey with smoky barbecue, tender chicken, and hearty rice, this weeknight chicken rice dish is perfect for busy evenings. It’s a one-pan wonder that minimizes cleanup while maximizing taste, making it a favorite for family dinners or even hosting friends. Get ready for a sweet smoky chicken recipe that’s sure to become a regular in your meal rotation!
2. Ingredients for Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup of long-grain rice
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups chicken broth or water
- Optional garnish: chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or cilantro
For a complete kitchen setup, consider using CAROTE Premium 16pc Nonstick Cookware Set to make your cooking process more efficient.
3. Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Preparation of Ingredients
Start by chopping the chicken into bite-sized pieces and measuring out all your ingredients. This helps streamline cooking and ensures you don’t forget any seasonings or sauces.
Cooking the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or a wide-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Preparing the Rice and Sauce
In the same pan, add the rice and toast it for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in the chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes or until the rice is tender.
Adding the Honey BBQ Sauce
While the rice simmers, mix the honey and barbecue sauce in a small bowl. Once the rice is cooked, stir in the sauce mixture along with the cooked chicken. Cover and cook on low for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Final Touches
Remove from heat, garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or cilantro if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your hot honey BBQ chicken rice that’s bursting with flavor!
4. Storage Tips for Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through, stirring in between. For longer storage, freeze the dish in individual portions, and reheat directly from frozen for a quick meal.
5. Serving Suggestions
This sweet smoky chicken recipe pairs beautifully with a fresh side salad or steamed vegetables. For extra crunch, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds. You can also serve it alongside some creamy pasta dishes for a varied dinner spread or enjoy it as a filling for wraps or bowls.
6. FAQs about Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Can I use skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Both work well, but thighs tend to stay juicier and absorb flavors better. If using breasts, be careful not to overcook to prevent dryness.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this dish stores well and can be prepped ahead for busy weeknights. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container and reheat properly.
Can I make this honey BBQ chicken rice gluten-free?
Definitely. Use gluten-free barbecue sauce and ensure your chicken broth is gluten-free to keep the dish suitable for a gluten-sensitive diet.
How long does it take to prepare and cook?
The entire process takes approximately 30-35 minutes, making it perfect for a quick dinner after a busy day.
7. Kitchen tools that you might need for this recipe
Streamline your honey BBQ chicken rice preparation with these tools:
- CAROTE Premium 16pc Nonstick Cookware Set — Ensures even heat distribution and easy cleanup for all your cooking needs.
- Fullstar Ultimate Veggie Prep Master — Simplifies chopping vegetables and prepping ingredients quickly.
- Crock-Pot Family-Size Slow Cooker — Perfect for making large batches or timesaving meal prep ideas.
- KitchenAid Classic Iconic Stand Mixer — Allows you to prepare marinated chicken or other ingredients effortlessly.
8. Related Recipes to Explore
If you love this honey BBQ chicken rice, check out these similar dishes for more flavor inspiration:
- High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
- Million Dollar Chicken & Rice Casserole
- Creamy Chicken & Spinach Casserole
9. Conclusion
In just about 30 minutes, you can enjoy a hearty, bold honey BBQ chicken rice dish that combines sweet, smoky flavors with tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice. It’s an ideal weeknight chicken rice recipe for busy families or anyone looking for an easy yet flavorful dinner. With simple ingredients and minimal cleanup, this dish is definitely a keeper. So, gather your ingredients, heat up your pan, and treat yourself to this irresistible sweet smoky chicken recipe tonight!
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One-Pan Bold & Flavorful Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
One-Pan Bold & Flavorful Honey BBQ Chicken Rice 🍯🍗🍚✨ is a quick, easy, and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken cooked with smoky barbecue and sweet honey, served over hearty rice in a single skillet for minimal cleanup and maximum taste. Perfect for busy families and garlic lovers seeking a perfect balance of smoky sweetness and savory goodness.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup of long-grain rice
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups chicken broth or water
- Optional garnish: chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or cilantro
Instructions
- Start by chopping the chicken into bite-sized pieces and measuring out all your ingredients. This helps streamline cooking and ensures you don’t forget any seasonings or sauces.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or a wide-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the rice and toast it for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in the chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- While the rice simmers, mix the honey and barbecue sauce in a small bowl. Once the rice is cooked, stir in the sauce mixture along with the cooked chicken. Cover and cook on low for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Remove from heat, garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or cilantro if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your hot honey BBQ chicken rice that’s bursting with flavor!
Notes
- Ensure not to overcook the chicken if using breasts to prevent dryness.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free barbecue sauce and chicken broth.
- This dish stores well in airtight containers for up to 3 days; reheat in microwave or reheat directly from frozen.
- Adjust spice levels according to preference by adding more smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free option available
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 78 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg