Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Introduction
If you’re searching for a meal that strikes the perfect harmony between sweet, smoky, and savory, look no further than Honey BBQ Chicken Rice. This one-pan recipe is a weeknight lifesaver, combining juicy chicken, fluffy rice, and a robust honey BBQ sauce that wins over both kids and adults. Ideal for meal-prepping, potlucks, or simply satisfying hungry crowds, every bite boasts comforting flavors and irresistible aroma.
Why Make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice?
What sets this dish apart is its remarkable depth of flavor and simplicity. The chicken is seared until golden, then simmered in a honey BBQ glaze that infuses the rice as it cooks, ensuring every grain is rich and satisfying. The entire meal comes together in one pan, meaning minimal cleanup and more time enjoying dinner. It’s a hearty, crowd-pleasing recipe that’s both easy and memorable, with layers of smoky, sweet, and tangy notes in every mouthful.
Easy Prep for Flavorful Perfection
Start by dicing your vegetables for even cooking and texture. Using a tool like the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper streamlines the process, ensuring quick, uniform cuts for onions, peppers, and more. Cut chicken breasts or thighs into even-sized cubes, season well, and set aside while you prepare the rest of your ingredients.
To maximize flavor, sauté the diced vegetables until just softened before adding the chicken. This step builds a strong foundation for the dish and ensures every bite bursts with flavor.
BBQ Sauce and Chicken Magic
The heart of this dish is its sticky honey BBQ sauce. Mix together your favorite BBQ sauce with a drizzle of honey, a splash of soy sauce, and a hint of garlic powder for complexity. Sear the seasoned chicken in a nonstick skillet—something like the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch—until golden brown. Add the sauce to coat every piece, letting it caramelize and soak into the chicken.
Once coated, fold in the sautéed vegetables and uncooked rice. Deglaze the pan with a bit of chicken broth to lift all those delicious brown bits for deeper, richer flavor.
Simmer, Fluff, and Serve
Cover and let the mixture simmer until the rice is tender and the mixture is fragrant. If you like perfectly cooked, fluffy rice every time, having an Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart in your kitchen is a practical option, though stovetop works beautifully as well.
When serving to a crowd or preparing for the week, portion leftovers into Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for portable, spillproof meal prep.
Presentation and Serving Suggestions
For a fresh finish, sprinkle with chopped green onions or cilantro. Serve with a crisp salad or steamed vegetables on the side—packed to-go in a Bentgo Salad Container for busy lunch days. Enhance color and texture with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or a few extra honey drizzles just before serving.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe serves approximately 4 and offers about 480–520 calories per serving (depending on the chicken and BBQ sauce used). It provides a balanced mix of lean protein, satisfying carbs, and a touch of healthy fats—perfect for a wholesome dinner or hearty lunch.
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice – A Sweet & Smoky Recap
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a celebration of bold, well-balanced flavors, ready in just one pan. With straightforward ingredients and flexible presentation, it’s sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Dice onion and bell pepper using the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for quick, uniform prep.
- Season diced chicken with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium-high heat, add a splash of oil and sauté chicken until lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté 2–3 minutes until softened and aromatic.
- Reduce heat to medium. Stir in rice and toast for 1-2 minutes. Return browned chicken to pan.
- Mix together BBQ sauce, honey, and soy sauce in a small bowl. Pour over chicken and rice, stirring until well combined. Add chicken broth and mix well.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 18–22 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit (covered) for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
- Serve garnished with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds or cilantro if desired. For meal prep, store portions in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for easy grab-and-go lunches.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Enjoy the irresistible blend of smoky BBQ, golden chicken, and fluffy rice—pure comfort, big flavor, and minimum fuss!
