One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

This effortless one-pan meal combines juicy diced chicken and fluffy long-grain rice, all simmered together in a sweet, smoky honey BBQ sauce. It is the perfect weeknight dinner because everything cooks in one skillet, making cleanup an absolute breeze!

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20-25 minutes
• Total time: 35 minutes
• Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

The Protein & Rice:

• Chicken: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
• Rice: 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
• Oil: 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil (for searing)

The Bold Honey BBQ Liquid:

• Chicken Broth: 2 cups chicken broth
• BBQ Sauce: \frac{1}{2} cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (smoky or sweet works great)
• Honey: \frac{1}{4} cup honey
• Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Salt & Pepper: To taste (approx. \frac{1}{2} teaspoon each)

Instructions

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

1. Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add the diced chicken pieces to the skillet. Season lightly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Cook for about 4–5 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides (it does not need to be fully cooked through yet).

Step 2: Toast the Rice

1. Add the uncooked long-grain rice directly into the skillet with the chicken.
2. Stir constantly for 1–2 minutes to lightly toast the rice grains in the remaining oil and chicken juices. This enhances the flavor and helps keep the grains separate.

Step 3: Mix the Sauce and Simmer

1. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the 2 cups of chicken broth, \frac{1}{2} cup BBQ sauce, and \frac{1}{4} cup honey.
2. Pour the mixture into the skillet over the chicken and rice. Give everything a good stir to combine, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
3. Bring the liquid to a boil.

Step 4: Cover and Cook

1. Once boiling, cover the skillet tightly with a lid and reduce the heat to low.
2. Simmer for 15–18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has fully absorbed the flavorful liquid. Do not lift the lid during cooking so the steam stays trapped!

Step 5: Fluff and Serve

1. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
2. Remove the lid and gently fluff the rice and chicken mixture with a fork.
3. Serve hot!

Optional Enhancements: Garnish with finely chopped green onions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, or an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce right before serving for a beautiful contrast!