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One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe

4.5 from 56 reviews

This One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a flavorful and convenient meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender diced chicken breasts are seared and then simmered with aromatic vegetables, fragrant rice, and a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce all cooked together in a single skillet, delivering a comforting and delicious dish with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Sauce

  • 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g), diced into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) honey BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Vegetables and Rice

  • 1 cup (190g) long-grain white rice
  • 1 1/2 cups (355ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or yellow)
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced (yellow or white)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Garnish

  • Optional: fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized 1-inch pieces. Dice the bell pepper and onion, and mince the garlic.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken pieces in a single layer, season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden, then stir and cook another 3-4 minutes until mostly cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds without burning.
  4. Add Rice and Liquids: Add uncooked rice to the pan and stir to coat with veggies and oil. Pour in chicken broth and honey BBQ sauce. Stir gently, scraping browned bits from the pan bottom.
  5. Simmer Together: Return chicken pieces to the pan, nestling into the rice mixture. Cover with a lid, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer gently for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  6. Check Doneness: Remove lid and check rice tenderness. If rice is still firm, cover and cook 2-3 more minutes. Stir gently, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top and serve warm straight from the pan.

Notes

  • Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
  • Do not lift the lid during simmering to ensure rice cooks evenly.
  • Feel free to swap bell peppers for other vegetables like zucchini or corn.
  • For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes during seasoning.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: honey BBQ chicken, one-pan meal, chicken rice skillet, easy weeknight dinner, stovetop chicken recipe