Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable)

Tender chicken in honey BBQ, fluffy rice, and colorful veggies in one pan. A quick, hearty meal with easy cleanup for the family.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - Salt and black 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 chicken broth, low sodium recommended
10 - 1 cup mixed vegetables such as bell peppers, peas, and carrots, fresh or frozen

# How-To:

01 - Season chicken pieces thoroughly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat, adding a drizzle of oil if necessary. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown on the exterior.
03 - Whisk together BBQ sauce and honey in a small bowl until fully combined. Pour mixture over chicken and stir to coat evenly.
04 - Add rinsed rice and chicken broth to the skillet, stirring gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
05 - Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover tightly and cook for 20 minutes until rice begins to soften.
06 - Scatter mixed vegetables over the top during the final 5 minutes of cooking. Cover again and steam until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The honey BBQ sauce creates this incredible sticky glaze that coats every single grain of rice
  • Everything cooks in one pan so you're spending time with family instead of doing dishes
  • The vegetables steam right on top, staying bright and tender without any extra effort
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice until the water runs clear or you'll end up with gummy grains
  • Keep the lid on during cooking—every time you peek, you're letting out steam the rice needs
  • The resting period is non-negotiable for fluffy rice that doesn't clump together
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into uniformly sized pieces so everything cooks at the same rate
  • If the rice isn't quite done after 20 minutes, add a few tablespoons of broth and cook for 3-5 more minutes
  • Use a pan with a tight-fitting lid—steam is what makes this method work so beautifully
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