Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with this irresistible Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe. Imagine tender, juicy chicken pieces smothered in a sweet and tangy homemade honey BBQ sauce, all cooked together with fluffy rice in a single pan. This dish is the epitome of comfort food—it’s incredibly flavorful, easy to make, and the cleanup is an absolute breeze. If you’re looking for a meal that the whole family will love, you’ve found it.
This recipe solves the classic “what’s for dinner?” dilemma with a simple, satisfying answer. We’ll combine pantry staples to create a sticky, caramelized glaze for the chicken that perfectly soaks into the rice as it cooks. It’s a complete meal in one, balancing protein, carbs, and a whole lot of flavor. Let’s dive in and make this your new go-to weeknight favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe
This isn’t just another chicken and rice dish; it’s a game-changer for busy evenings. Here’s why it will earn a permanent spot in your meal rotation:
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means minimal cleanup and less time spent washing dishes.
- Packed with Flavor: The homemade honey BBQ sauce is the star of the show, offering a perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and tangy notes that you just can’t get from a bottle.
- Quick & Easy: With simple steps and about 30 minutes of cooking time, this recipe is perfect for weeknights when you’re short on time but still want a delicious, home-cooked meal.
- Family-Friendly: The sweet and savory flavor profile is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish lies in its simple, accessible ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this amazing bbq chicken rice skillet:
For the Honey BBQ Chicken:
- Chicken: We’re using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking. Chicken thighs also work wonderfully if you prefer darker meat.
- BBQ Sauce: Your favorite store-bought brand forms the base of our sauce.
- Honey: This adds that signature sweetness and helps create a beautiful glaze.
- Soy Sauce: For a savory depth of flavor and a touch of umami.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Cuts through the sweetness with a bit of tang.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Essential aromatics that build the flavor base.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle, smoky flavor that complements the BBQ sauce.
- Olive Oil: For searing the chicken.
For the Rice:
- Long-Grain White Rice: Washed and rinsed to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy, separate grains.
- Chicken Broth: Cooking the rice in broth instead of water infuses it with so much more flavor.
- Diced Onion: Adds a foundational aromatic flavor to the rice.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect Honey BBQ Chicken Rice dinner. It’s all about building layers of flavor in one pan.
1. Prepare the Honey BBQ Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Set it aside. This simple combination is what makes the dish truly special.
2. Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Sauté Aromatics and Toast the Rice
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir constantly for about 1 minute to lightly toast the grains. This step enhances the nutty flavor of the rice.
4. Combine and Simmer
Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Pour half of the prepared honey BBQ sauce over the chicken and rice, and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
5. Glaze and Serve
Once the rice is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Pour the remaining honey BBQ sauce over the top. Let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions, and serve immediately. For another fantastic one-pan meal, check out this Sheet Pan Sausage and Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Tips for the Perfect Chicken and Rice Bowl
Want to ensure your Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is flawless every time? Here are a few expert tips:
- Don’t Skip Rinsing the Rice: Rinsing your rice removes excess starch, which is the key to getting fluffy, individual grains instead of a sticky clump.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To guarantee juicy chicken, cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let it Rest: Allowing the dish to rest for 5 minutes after cooking lets the rice absorb any remaining steam and finish cooking to perfection.
- Scrape the Pan: Those little browned bits (fond) on the bottom of the skillet after searing the chicken are packed with flavor. Make sure you scrape them up when you add the chicken broth.
If you’re a fan of bowl-style meals, you’ll also love our Bang Bang Chicken Bowl.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
This recipe is incredibly versatile. Feel free to customize it based on what you have on hand.
- Protein Swaps: This recipe works great with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, shrimp, or even smoked sausage. For a meat-free option, try it with chickpeas. If you’re looking for another easy chicken recipe, try our Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in a cup of frozen corn, peas, or diced bell peppers with the rice and broth for an extra serving of veggies.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the BBQ sauce for a spicy kick.
- Different Grains: You can substitute white rice with brown rice or quinoa, but you’ll need to adjust the liquid amount and cooking time accordingly.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is perfect for meal prep! Here’s how to store and reheat it:
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent it from drying out. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Yes, you can adapt this for a slow cooker. Cook the chicken with the sauce ingredients on low for 3-4 hours. You will need to cook the rice separately on the stovetop or in a rice cooker and combine them before serving.
Our recipe includes a simple homemade sauce! Just combine your favorite base BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. It’s a quick way to elevate the flavor.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to keep it moist, or microwave until heated through.
This recipe can be part of a balanced diet. To make it healthier, you can use low-sodium soy sauce, low-sugar BBQ sauce, and substitute brown rice for white rice. It’s a good source of protein and carbohydrates.
This is a great one-pan meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with steamed broccoli, a fresh green salad, or roasted green beans to add some extra vegetables.
Yes, you can adapt this for a slow cooker. Cook the chicken with the sauce ingredients on low for 3-4 hours. You will need to cook the rice separately on the stovetop or in a rice cooker and combine them before serving.
Our recipe includes a simple homemade sauce! Just combine your favorite base BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. It’s a quick way to elevate the flavor.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to keep it moist, or microwave until heated through.
This recipe can be part of a balanced diet. To make it healthier, you can use low-sodium soy sauce, low-sugar BBQ sauce, and substitute brown rice for white rice. It’s a good source of protein and carbohydrates.
This is a great one-pan meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with steamed broccoli, a fresh green salad, or roasted green beans to add some extra vegetables.
Your New Favorite Weeknight Dinner
This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe is a true testament to the fact that simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor. It’s a satisfying, easy-to-make meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. Give it a try, and let us know what you think in the comments below!
For more delicious recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest. We love seeing your creations!
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice: A Sweet & Savory One-Pan Dinner
This easy one-pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice features tender, juicy chicken smothered in a homemade sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, cooked with fluffy rice for a perfect weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the rinsed rice and stir for 1 minute to toast the grains.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the skillet, then pour half of the honey BBQ sauce over everything and stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Remove from heat and pour the remaining sauce over the top. Let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, garnish as desired, and serve warm.
Notes
For an extra layer of flavor, you can broil the dish for 1-2 minutes at the end to caramelize the sauce on top.
Ensure you rinse the rice thoroughly to prevent it from becoming sticky.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice: A Sweet & Savory One-Pan Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the rinsed rice and stir for 1 minute to toast the grains.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the skillet, then pour half of the honey BBQ sauce over everything and stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Remove from heat and pour the remaining sauce over the top. Let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, garnish as desired, and serve warm.
Notes
Ensure you rinse the rice thoroughly to prevent it from becoming sticky.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
