One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printer-Friendly)

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

# 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 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 (bell peppers, peas, carrots; fresh or frozen)

# How to Cook:

01 - Combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Coat chicken pieces thoroughly with the seasoning mixture.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a light coating of oil. Sear chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes per side until lightly browned.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce and honey until combined. Pour the mixture over the seared 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 without removing the lid.
06 - In the final 5 minutes of cooking, scatter mixed vegetables over the top. Cover again and let steam until rice is tender and liquid is fully 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, so you can actually sit down and eat instead of standing at the sink scrubbing pots.
  • The honey BBQ glaze soaks into the rice as it cooks, which means every bite tastes like the best part of a backyard cookout.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are lurking in your crisper drawer and it still turns out delicious.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice or you'll end up with a gummy, sticky mess instead of fluffy grains.
  • If you lift the lid too early, the steam escapes and the rice won't cook evenly, so resist the urge to peek.
  • Let the skillet rest covered after cooking, it finishes the rice perfectly and makes fluffing so much easier.
03 -
  • Use a heavy-bottomed skillet with a tight-fitting lid to prevent scorching and ensure even cooking.
  • If your BBQ sauce is very thick, thin it with a tablespoon of water before mixing with the honey so it coats the chicken more evenly.
  • Adding the vegetables in the last few minutes keeps them bright and crisp instead of mushy and overcooked.
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