Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Print Version)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with rice and vegetables cooked together in one pan. Quick, flavorful, easy cleanup.

# What to Use:

→ 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 - Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce and honey. Pour the mixture over the chicken and stir to coat evenly.
04 - Add 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 mixed vegetables on top. Cover again and let them 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 Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, which means less scrubbing and more time at the table.
  • The honey BBQ glaze seeps into the rice, giving every bite a sweet, smoky punch that even picky eaters devour.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables you have on hand without worrying about precise measurements or fancy techniques.
02 -
  • Do not lift the lid while the rice is simmering or you'll release the steam and end up with crunchy, undercooked grains.
  • If your BBQ sauce is thick and sweet, thin it with a splash of apple cider vinegar to balance the honey and prevent it from becoming cloying.
  • Use low-sodium broth because the BBQ sauce already brings plenty of salt, and you can always adjust at the end.
03 -
  • Always rinse your rice until the water runs clear, it prevents gummy, sticky clumps and keeps each grain separate.
  • Let the pan rest covered after cooking, this final steam is what makes the rice tender all the way through.
  • If the rice starts to stick to the bottom, lower your heat immediately and add a splash more broth to loosen it.
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