One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe

Introduction

Looking for a quick, flavorful dinner that delivers comfort and bold taste in every bite? This One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is your new go-to for easy weeknight meals. Juicy chicken, sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, and fluffy rice all cook together in one pan for minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (honey or smoky style)
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1 tablespoon honey or hot sauce for extra sweetness or heat

Instructions

1. Step 1: Dice chicken into bite-sized cubes. Pat dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 5–7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same pan, sauté chopped onion for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in uncooked rice to coat with oil and aromatics, toasting for about a minute. Pour in chicken broth or water and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
5. Step 5: Return the chicken to the pan. Stir in the BBQ sauce evenly throughout. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and fluff the rice with a fork. Let it rest covered for 5 minutes before serving. For extra flavor, drizzle a bit more BBQ sauce on top or broil briefly if your pan is oven-safe.

Tips & Variations

• Toast the rice before adding liquid to boost flavor and prevent clumping.
• Use a high-quality BBQ sauce you love, as it is the main flavor component.
• Keep the lid on while simmering to trap steam and cook rice evenly.
• Add vegetables like bell peppers, peas, or spinach in the last few minutes for extra color and nutrients.
• Use low-sodium broth to avoid over-salting, especially if your BBQ sauce is already salty.
• For a saucier dish, add extra BBQ sauce towards the end of cooking or when serving.

Storage

Allow the dish to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in portioned airtight containers or resealable bags for up to 2 months. To reheat, microwave with a splash of water or broth to moisten, or warm on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. A drizzle of fresh BBQ sauce before serving helps revive the flavors.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

What kind of BBQ sauce should I use?

Choose a BBQ sauce you enjoy, whether honey, smoky, spicy, or tangy. If unsure, start with a balanced honey BBQ and adjust flavor with hot sauce or spices to your preference.

Can I make this recipe with brown rice?

Yes, but increase the liquid slightly and extend the cooking time by 10–15 minutes since brown rice takes longer to cook. Keep the pan covered and simmer gently.

One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 88 reviews

One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a quick and flavorful dinner that combines juicy seared chicken, sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, and fluffy long-grain white rice, all cooked together in one pan. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors with minimal cleanup, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or meal prep. The addition of garlic and onions builds layers of savory aroma and texture, while cooking the rice in chicken broth ensures richness and depth. Finished with an optional drizzle of extra BBQ sauce, this comforting dish is sure to become a family favorite.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Protein

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced

Rice and Grains

• 1 cup long-grain white rice

Sauces and Liquids

• 1 cup BBQ sauce (honey or smoky style)
• 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
• Optional: 1 tablespoon honey or hot sauce for extra sweetness or heat

Aromatics and Seasonings

• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prep and Season the Chicken: Dice the chicken into bite-sized cubes and pat dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper, optionally adding garlic powder or smoked paprika for extra flavor.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5–7 minutes. It does not need to be fully cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pan, add more olive oil if needed. Add chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, avoiding burning.
4. Add the Rice and Liquid: Stir in the uncooked rice to coat it with oil and aromatics, toasting it for about a minute. Pour in the chicken broth or water and bring to a simmer, scraping any brown bits off the pan bottom.
5. Return Chicken and Stir in BBQ Sauce: Return the seared chicken to the pan and stir in the BBQ sauce evenly. Reduce heat to low and cover the pan. Simmer gently for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid fully absorbed.
6. Fluff and Finish: Remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Let the dish sit off heat for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle. Optionally, drizzle additional BBQ sauce on top before serving or broil for a couple of minutes if using an oven-safe pan.

Notes

• Toast the rice before adding liquid to enhance flavor and prevent clumping.
• Season the chicken well at the start for better overall taste.
• Use a good quality BBQ sauce that matches your flavor preference.
• Keep the lid on during simmering to trap steam for even cooking.
• Let the dish rest off heat before serving to let flavors meld and rice fluff.
• Use low-sodium broth if you want to control the salt level, especially if your BBQ sauce is salty.
• Adding extra BBQ sauce at the end refreshes the bold flavor.
• Warm the broth before adding to speed cooking and maintain pan temperature.
• For a saucier dish, add a splash of broth or more BBQ sauce near the end.

Keywords: One-pan, BBQ chicken, honey BBQ, chicken rice, easy dinner, quick meal, meal prep, stovetop recipe, comfort food