Why Make This Recipe
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a delightful and easy dish that brings together the sweet flavors of honey and BBQ sauce with tender chicken and fluffy rice. It’s perfect for a hearty family dinner or meal prep for the week. This recipe is packed with protein and can also include vegetables, making it a balanced meal in one pot. Plus, it’s quick to prepare, so you won’t spend all evening in the kitchen!
How to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your choice)
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
- Chopped green onions or parsley
Directions:
- Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat.
- Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add a drizzle of oil to the pan and sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the uncooked rice and toast it for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the chicken broth, then stir in the BBQ sauce and honey.
- Return the seared chicken to the pan, nestling it into the rice mixture.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, sprinkle the mixed vegetables over the rice.
- Cover again and continue cooking for 5 more minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temp of 165°F/74°C).
- Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley, and serve hot!
How to Serve Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Serve Honey BBQ Chicken Rice hot from the skillet. It’s great as a stand-alone dish, but you can also pair it with a simple side salad or some bread for a more complete meal. The dish looks nice garnished with chopped green onions or parsley for a fresh touch.
How to Store Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. If the rice seems dry, add a splash of chicken broth or water while reheating.
Tips to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
- For added flavor, marinate the chicken in the BBQ sauce and honey for a few hours before cooking.
- Feel free to use any type of BBQ sauce you like. This can change the flavor profile of the dish.
- You can substitute brown rice for long-grain rice, but you may need to adjust the cooking time and liquid used.
Variation
You can customize this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, broccoli, or carrots. You can also use different proteins, like shrimp or pork, depending on your preference.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this dish vegetarian?
A: Yes! You can substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Q: How can I spice up the flavor?
A: If you like it spicy, add some cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the chicken seasoning or BBQ sauce.
Q: Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
A: Yes, but remember that brown rice takes longer to cook. You might need to increase the broth and cooking time accordingly.
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat.
- Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add a drizzle of oil to the pan and sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the uncooked rice and toast it for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the chicken broth, then stir in the BBQ sauce and honey.
- Return the seared chicken to the pan, nestling it into the rice mixture.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, sprinkle the mixed vegetables over the rice.
- Cover again and continue cooking for 5 more minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temp of 165°F/74°C).
- Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley, and serve hot!