One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Print version)

Tender honey BBQ chicken with fluffy rice and vegetables cooked together in one pan for easy cleanup.

# What you’ll need:

→ Chicken

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

# Steps:

01 - Coat chicken pieces evenly 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 to 5 minutes per side until lightly browned.
03 - Whisk together BBQ sauce and honey in a small bowl until well combined.
04 - Pour the honey BBQ mixture over the seared chicken in the pan and stir to coat evenly.
05 - Stir in the rinsed rice and chicken broth, gently combining all ingredients in the pan.
06 - Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20 minutes.
07 - Scatter mixed vegetables over the rice in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Cover and steam until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork before serving.

# Cooking tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, which means more time enjoying your meal and less time scrubbing dishes.
  • The honey-BBQ glaze caramelizes just enough to taste restaurant-quality without any fussy techniques.
  • You can throw whatever vegetables you have on hand into this, making it endlessly adaptable to what's in your fridge.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting period—those final 5 minutes off heat make the difference between mushy rice and fluffy, distinct grains.
  • If your broth is salty, taste before seasoning further, because the BBQ sauce already brings salt to the party.
03 -
  • Use thighs instead of breasts if you want meat that stays tender and forgiving—they're naturally more flavorful and harder to overcook.
  • If you catch yourself with five minutes left and the rice still seems wet, uncover and let it cook a bit longer; it will finish absorbing the liquid perfectly.
Go back