One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with fluffy rice and veggies 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 such as bell peppers, peas, and 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 coating 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 combined.
04 - Pour the honey BBQ mixture over the seared chicken and stir until evenly coated.
05 - Add rinsed rice and chicken broth to the pan with the chicken. Stir gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
06 - Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20 minutes without stirring.
07 - Scatter mixed vegetables over the top during the final 5 minutes of cooking. Cover and allow to steam until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Gently fluff rice with a fork before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so theres barely any cleanup and you can actually sit down when dinner is ready.
  • The honey BBQ glaze gets a little caramelized on the edges and makes the whole dish taste like youve been cooking all day.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are hiding in your crisper drawer and it still turns out great.
02 -
  • Dont skip rinsing the rice, or youll end up with a gummy, sticky mess instead of fluffy grains that hold their shape.
  • If you lift the lid too early during simmering, the steam escapes and the rice wont cook evenly, trust the timer and leave it alone.
  • Let the dish rest covered after cooking, it finishes absorbing any remaining liquid and the flavors settle beautifully.
03 -
  • Use a heavy-bottomed skillet with a tight-fitting lid to ensure even heat distribution and proper steaming.
  • Taste your BBQ sauce before mixing it with honey, if its very sweet, cut back on the honey a bit so the glaze doesnt become cloying.
  • If the rice isnt quite tender after twenty minutes, add a few tablespoons of broth, cover, and give it another five minutes on low heat.
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