Honey BBQ Chicken Rice: A 45-Minute One-Pan Meal

Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredible one-pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice. This recipe is the ultimate combination of convenience and flavor, bringing sweet, smoky, and savory notes together in a single skillet. If you’re searching for a meal that the whole family will love and that leaves you with minimal cleanup, you’ve found it.

We’ll cook tender chicken and fluffy rice together in a rich honey BBQ sauce, creating a complete meal that’s ready in just 45 minutes. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for those busy evenings.

Why This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe is a Weeknight Winner

There are so many reasons to love this dish, but here are the top three:

• One-Pan Simplicity: Everything cooks in one skillet, from searing the chicken to simmering the rice. This means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your evening.
• Incredible Flavor: The combination of smoky BBQ sauce and sweet honey creates a perfectly balanced glaze for the juicy chicken. The rice soaks up all that amazing flavor as it cooks.
• Family-Friendly: This meal is a certified crowd-pleaser. It’s mild enough for kids but packed with enough flavor to satisfy adult palates.

The Key Ingredients for Your New Favorite Dinner

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, accessible ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this dish to life.

For the Honey BBQ Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean and cook quickly. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
• BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite brand of BBQ sauce. A hickory or smoky flavor works exceptionally well here.
• Honey: This adds a touch of sweetness that balances the tang of the BBQ sauce and helps create a beautiful glaze.
• Olive Oil: For searing the chicken and sautéing the aromatics.
• Seasoning: A simple mix of smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper gives the chicken a fantastic flavor base.

For the Rice and Skillet Base

• Long-Grain White Rice: Washed and rinsed to remove excess starch.
• Yellow Onion & Garlic: The essential aromatic base that builds a deep layer of flavor.
• Chicken Broth: This is used to cook the rice, infusing it with more flavor than plain water.
• Fresh Parsley: For a bright, fresh garnish that cuts through the richness of the sauce.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Follow these simple steps to create a perfect one-pan meal.

1. Season and Sear the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them generously with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Toast the Rice: Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir for about a minute to toast it lightly. This helps it absorb flavor and maintain a good texture.
4. Combine Sauce and Broth: In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce and honey. Pour half of this sauce mixture and all of the chicken broth into the skillet. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
5. Cook Together: Bring the liquid to a simmer. Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the rice.
6. Simmer and Steam: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet tightly, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Do not lift the lid during this time.
7. Glaze and Finish: Remove the skillet from the heat. Brush the remaining honey BBQ sauce over the top of the chicken breasts. Let the dish rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Tips for Perfecting Your BBQ Chicken and Rice

A few expert tips can take this simple dish from great to absolutely unforgettable.

Choosing Your Chicken

While this recipe calls for chicken breasts, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a fantastic alternative. They contain more fat, which makes them extra juicy and flavorful. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly, as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought BBQ Sauce

Using your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce is a great way to save time. However, if you want to make your own, it’s quite simple! A basic homemade sauce can be made with ketchup, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.

Don’t Crowd the Pan

Use a skillet that is large enough to hold all the ingredients without being too crowded. This ensures the chicken sears properly and the rice cooks evenly. A 12-inch skillet is usually a perfect size for this recipe.

Easy Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is a great starting point for your own culinary creativity. Try one of these simple variations!

• Add Veggies: Stir in a cup of corn, black beans, or diced bell peppers along with the onions for extra nutrition and texture.
• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the honey BBQ mixture for a spicy kick.
• Different Grains: While long-grain white rice is recommended, you could experiment with brown rice or quinoa, but you’ll need to adjust the liquid amount and cooking time accordingly. For a truly decadent side, consider serving this with some cheesy mashed potato puffs (coming soon).

Storage and Reheating Instructions

This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is perfect for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

To reheat, simply microwave individual portions until hot, or gently reheat in a skillet over low heat. You might want to add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent it from drying out.

What to Serve with Honey BBQ Chicken

This is a complete meal on its own, but a simple side can round it out beautifully. A crisp green salad, steamed broccoli, or a side of roasted sweet potatoes (coming soon) would all be excellent choices. For something a little different, a refreshing pasta salad can also pair nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Best Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice: A 45-Minute One-Pan Meal

This one-pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution! Tender chicken and fluffy rice are cooked together in a sweet and smoky sauce, delivering a flavorful, family-friendly meal with minimal cleanup in just 45 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 562

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces or left whole
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup BBQ sauce your favorite brand
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1.5 cups long-grain white rice rinsed well
• 2.5 cups chicken broth low sodium
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

• 1 Large Skillet (12-inch, oven-safe)
• 1 Cutting Board
• 1 Knife

Instructions

 

1. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Set aside.
2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir for 1 minute to lightly toast.
4. In a bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce and honey. Pour half of this sauce and all the chicken broth into the skillet. Stir, scraping up any browned bits.
5. Bring the liquid to a simmer. Return the chicken to the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 18-20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
6. Remove from heat. Brush the remaining honey BBQ sauce over the chicken. Let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff rice, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Notes

Make sure to rinse your rice thoroughly to prevent it from becoming gummy.
For a deeper flavor, allow the chicken to marinate in the spices for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
Do not lift the lid while the rice is simmering to ensure it steams properly.

Tried This Recipe? Share Your Creation!

We hope you love this one-pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice as much as we do! It’s a true lifesaver on busy nights and a guaranteed hit with the family. If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Snap a photo and share it on Pinterest. Your feedback and creations inspire us!