One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
