One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe
One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is an easy and flavorful meal that combines tender, seared chicken with aromatic sautéed onions and garlic, bold BBQ sauce, and perfectly cooked long-grain white rice all in one skillet. This dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory notes, making it a satisfying weeknight dinner that requires minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, diced into bite-sized cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika
Rice and Aromatics
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Liquids and Sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
- 1/2 cup bold BBQ sauce (sweet or smoky variety)
- Optional: 1 tbsp honey or hot sauce to adjust sweetness or heat
Instructions
- Prep and Season the Chicken: Dice the chicken into bite-sized cubes and pat dry with paper towels to ensure better searing. Season generously with salt, pepper, and optionally garlic powder or smoked paprika for added flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or deep pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes and cook until browned on all sides, about 5–7 minutes. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pan, add more olive oil if needed, then add chopped onions. Cook for 2–3 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant but not burned.
- Add the Rice and Liquid: Stir in the long-grain white rice to coat with oil and aromatics, toasting slightly. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Return the Chicken and Stir in the BBQ Sauce: Add the seared chicken back into the pan. Mix in the BBQ sauce evenly with the rice and chicken. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and let simmer gently for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff and Finish: Remove the pan from heat and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Let it rest for a few minutes off the heat. For extra caramelized BBQ flavor, optionally drizzle additional BBQ sauce on top and broil in an oven-safe pan for 2–3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use chicken broth instead of water for richer flavor.
- Adjust BBQ sauce sweetness or heat by adding honey or hot sauce according to preference.
- Make sure to pat the chicken dry before searing to achieve better browning.
- Use an oven-safe skillet if planning to broil the finished dish for extra caramelization.
- Long-grain white rice works best to avoid mushiness and properly absorb flavors.
Keywords: Honey BBQ chicken rice, one-pan meal, seared chicken, BBQ sauce recipe, easy weeknight dinner, chicken and rice skillet
