One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable version)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 and Vegetables

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

# How to Prepare:

01 - Coat 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 4-5 minutes per side until lightly browned.
03 - Whisk together BBQ sauce and honey in a small bowl until well combined.
04 - Pour the honey BBQ mixture over seared chicken and stir to coat all pieces evenly.
05 - Gently stir in the rinsed rice and chicken broth, combining thoroughly with the chicken and sauce.
06 - Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 20 minutes undisturbed.
07 - Scatter mixed vegetables over the rice in the final 5 minutes of cooking. Cover and steam until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Gently fluff rice with a fork and serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so theres almost no cleanup after a long day.
  • The honey BBQ glaze seeps into the rice and makes every bite sticky, sweet, and savory.
  • You can use whatever vegetables are hiding in your freezer and it still tastes intentional.
  • It reheats beautifully, which means lunch is already done for tomorrow.
02 -
  • Do not lift the lid during the 20 minute simmer or the steam escapes and the rice wont cook evenly.
  • If you use brown rice instead, add 10 to 15 minutes to the cooking time and an extra half cup of broth.
  • Rinsing the rice is not optional, it prevents the dish from turning into a sticky, gluey mess.
03 -
  • Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the honey BBQ sauce for a tangy edge that cuts through the sweetness.
  • Use a heavy bottomed skillet with a tight fitting lid to keep the heat even and the steam trapped.
  • If the rice starts to look dry before its fully cooked, add a few tablespoons of broth or water and cover again for a few more minutes.
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