Description
This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe is a delightful one-pot meal combining tender chicken, flavorful BBQ sauce, and sweet honey with perfectly cooked rice and mixed vegetables. It’s a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights, offering a savory and slightly sweet flavor profile that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
Sauce and Seasonings
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- Chopped green onions or parsley
Instructions
- Prepare and Season Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then season them evenly with salt, pepper, and half of the garlic and onion powder to infuse basic flavors into the meat.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a bit of oil in a skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear them until they turn golden brown, approximately 4–5 minutes. This step locks in flavor and begins cooking the chicken.
- Toast the Rice: Push the seared chicken to one side of the pan. Add the rice to the empty side and toast it for about 1 minute, stirring frequently. Then stir in the remaining garlic and onion powder along with the smoked paprika to evenly distribute spices.
- Add Liquids and Vegetables: Pour in the chicken broth, BBQ sauce, and honey. Add the mixed vegetables as well. Stir everything together to combine all the flavors and ingredients.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan and cook for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
- Rest: Turn off the heat and leave the pan covered for another 5 minutes. This resting period lets the rice finish cooking and the flavors meld together.
- Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired, and serve the dish hot to enjoy its full flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier texture.
- Using fresh vegetables can enhance the texture, but frozen vegetables work well too.
- Adjust the amount of honey and BBQ sauce based on your preferred sweetness and tanginess.
- Make sure to keep the heat low during simmer to prevent the rice from burning at the bottom.
- This recipe works well with long-grain rice, but jasmine or basmati can also be used for different aroma and texture.
