One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with fluffy rice and colorful vegetables, all cooked together in one pan.

# What You 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 & 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)

# Directions:

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 honey BBQ mixture over seared chicken and stir to coat. Add rinsed rice and chicken broth, stirring gently to combine.
05 - Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20 minutes.
06 - In the final 5 minutes of cooking, scatter mixed vegetables over the top. Cover and allow to steam until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup is just a quick rinse and youre done.
  • The honey BBQ glaze seeps into the rice and makes every bite taste like comfort.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are sitting in your fridge and it still works.
  • Its hearty enough to satisfy everyone at the table without feeling heavy.
02 -
  • Rinsing the rice is not optional, it prevents clumpy, sticky rice that sticks to the bottom of the pan.
  • Dont lift the lid while the rice simmers or steam escapes and the rice wont cook evenly.
  • If your rice still looks wet after 20 minutes, cover and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes on low heat.
03 -
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pan with a tight-fitting lid to prevent scorching and ensure even cooking.
  • Let the chicken sear undisturbed for the first few minutes so it develops a caramelized crust that holds the glaze better.
  • Taste your BBQ sauce before mixing it with honey, if its already very sweet, cut the honey down to two tablespoons.
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