Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Printable Version)

Glazed chicken with honey BBQ sauce, fluffy rice, and vegetables—all 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 and Vegetables

08 - 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed
09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup mixed vegetables such as bell peppers, peas, and carrots, fresh or frozen

# How to Make It:

01 - Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a 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. Pour the mixture over chicken and stir to coat evenly.
04 - Add rinsed rice and chicken broth to the pan. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20 minutes.
06 - In the last 5 minutes of cooking, scatter mixed vegetables on top. Cover and steam until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks together in one pan, so theres almost no cleanup after a long day.
  • The honey BBQ glaze soaks into the rice and creates pockets of caramelized sweetness that surprise you with every bite.
  • You can use whatever vegetables are hiding in your freezer and it still turns out colorful and satisfying.
02 -
  • If you skip rinsing the rice, youll end up with gummy, sticky grains that clump together instead of staying light and separate.
  • Dont lift the lid during the twenty minute simmer or youll release the steam the rice needs to cook evenly and absorb the broth.
  • Let the dish rest off the heat for five minutes before fluffing, this final steam makes the rice tender all the way through and prevents mushy or crunchy spots.
03 -
  • Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the honey BBQ sauce for a tangy kick that balances the sweetness and cuts through the richness.
  • Use a wide, deep skillet instead of a narrow pot so the rice spreads out in a thinner layer and cooks more evenly without scorching on the bottom.
  • If you have leftover sauce in the pan after serving, drizzle it over the rice for extra glaze or save it to brush on grilled vegetables the next day.
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