Description
This easy one-pan honey BBQ chicken rice is a comforting, flavor-packed family dinner featuring juicy chicken thighs, fluffy rice, and a sticky-sweet BBQ sauce. Everything cooks together in one skillet for minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 680g), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked, about 190g)
- 1/4 cup honey (60ml)
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand, 180ml)
- 2 cups chicken broth (480ml, low-sodium preferred)
- 1 large bell pepper, diced (red or yellow recommended)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup frozen corn (160g, optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley or green onion, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Dice the bell pepper and onion. Mince the garlic. Trim and cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and pat dry.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sear 2–3 minutes per side until golden (not cooked through). Transfer chicken to a plate.
- Add diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until starting to soften. Add garlic and smoked paprika; stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey and BBQ sauce. Pour into the pan with veggies and stir to coat.
- Stir in uncooked rice and frozen corn (if using). Pour in chicken broth and mix well, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Arrange browned chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce heat to low and simmer 20–25 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Check at 20 minutes and add more broth if needed.
- Remove from heat and let the pan sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, mixing in the chicken.
- Scatter chopped parsley or green onion over the top. Serve hot, straight from the pan. Optional: Drizzle with extra BBQ sauce or a squeeze of lemon.
Notes
For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free BBQ sauce and broth. Brown the chicken well for extra flavor. Don’t stir once simmering to keep rice fluffy. If rice is undercooked, add a splash more broth and cook a bit longer. Leftovers keep well and can be frozen. Swap veggies or add a spicy kick as desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 27
Keywords: honey BBQ chicken, one pan dinner, chicken and rice, easy family dinner, skillet meal, comfort food, weeknight dinner, BBQ chicken rice