Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe
This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a flavorful, one-pot meal featuring tender chicken thighs glazed in a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce served over fluffy long-grain rice. Enhanced with savory spices and optional mixed vegetables, it’s a comforting dish perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (optional)
Garnish
- Chopped green onions for garnish
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken thighs with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, ensuring an even coating on all sides.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet or saucepan, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken thighs and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until they are browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Make the Honey BBQ Sauce: In the same pan, combine the BBQ sauce and honey, stirring to mix well and briefly warming the sauce over low heat.
- Cook the Rice: Add the long-grain rice to the pan and stir to coat it with the sauce. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the mixed vegetables if using, distributing them evenly in the rice mixture.
- Simmer: Return the cooked chicken thighs to the pan, nestling them on top of the rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the pan from heat and let it rest covered for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs provide more flavor and moisture.
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the BBQ sauce mixture.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content in the dish.
- This recipe works well in a rice cooker or Instant Pot, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Honey BBQ Chicken, Chicken Rice, One-Pot Meal, BBQ Chicken, Easy Dinner