One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with fluffy rice and colorful vegetables cooked together in one pan.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - Salt and pepper to taste
03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp onion powder
05 - ½ tsp smoked paprika

→ Sauce

06 - ½ cup BBQ sauce
07 - ¼ cup honey

→ Rice & Vegetables

08 - 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed
09 - 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell peppers, peas, carrots; fresh or frozen)

# Directions:

01 - Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a light drizzle of oil. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until lightly browned.
03 - Whisk together BBQ sauce and honey in a small bowl until combined.
04 - Pour the honey BBQ mixture over the seared chicken and stir to coat evenly.
05 - Add rinsed rice and chicken broth to the pan. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
06 - Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 20 minutes.
07 - In the last 5 minutes of cooking, scatter mixed vegetables on top, cover, and steam until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so theres almost no cleanup when youre too tired to face a sink full of dishes.
  • The honey and BBQ sauce create a glaze that makes even picky eaters ask for seconds.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are sitting in your crisper drawer and it still turns out delicious.
02 -
  • Dont skip rinsing the rice or youll end up with a sticky, clumpy texture instead of fluffy grains.
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid during the 20 minute simmer because the steam is what cooks the rice evenly.
  • If you add the vegetables too early, theyll turn mushy and lose their color, so wait until the final stretch.
03 -
  • Use a pan with a heavy bottom and a tight fitting lid to prevent scorching and ensure even heat distribution.
  • Let the chicken get a real sear before adding the sauce so you build layers of flavor instead of just boiling everything together.
  • If youre using brown rice, add an extra half cup of broth and extend the simmer time by 10 to 15 minutes, checking occasionally.
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