One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable Version)

Savory chicken glazed in honey BBQ sauce, cooked with fluffy rice and vibrant mixed vegetables in a single skillet.

# 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 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp onion powder
05 - ½ tsp 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, fresh or frozen

# Directions:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so you skip the juggling act and the mountain of dishes.
  • The honey BBQ glaze caramelizes just enough to make plain chicken taste like the star of a summer cookout.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables need using up, and they'll taste like they were always meant to be there.
  • It's filling enough to satisfy hungry eaters but light enough that no one feels weighed down afterward.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice or you'll end up with a sticky, clumpy mess instead of fluffy grains.
  • Use low sodium broth so the BBQ sauce can shine without turning the whole dish too salty.
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid during those 20 minutes or you'll release the steam and end up with undercooked rice.
03 -
  • Sear the chicken in batches if your pan isn't big enough, crowding prevents browning and you'll miss out on that caramelized flavor.
  • Taste your BBQ sauce before mixing it with honey, some brands are sweeter or tangier than others and you might want to adjust the honey accordingly.
  • Let the dish rest after cooking, those 5 minutes off the heat make all the difference in texture and give you time to set the table without rushing.
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