One-Pan Bold Honey Bbq Chicken Rice Recipe

Sizzling One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe That Wows

Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering one-pan bold honey BBQ chicken rice that promises to satisfy your deepest dinner cravings.

Weeknight cooking just got a serious upgrade with this flavorful dish that combines sweet and savory notes.

Tender chicken pieces nestle perfectly among fluffy rice grains, absorbing every drop of rich BBQ sauce.

The recipe brings together classic ingredients in a streamlined, effortless approach that minimizes cleanup and maximizes taste.

Each forkful delivers a harmonious blend of smoky, sweet, and hearty flavors that dance across your palate.

This meal transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dinner you can whip up in under an hour.

Prepare to fall in love with a new family favorite that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients For Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Main Protein:
  • Chicken: A lean protein that serves as the primary component of this one-pan dish.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • BBQ Sauce, Honey, Soy Sauce, Apple Cider Vinegar, Red Pepper Flakes: These ingredients create a bold, sweet, and tangy sauce that coats the chicken and adds complex flavor to the dish.
Cooking and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika: These elements help to brown the chicken, enhance its flavor, and provide a rich, smoky base for the recipe.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Cooked Rice, Green Onions: Rice serves as a hearty base that absorbs the delicious sauce, while green onions add a fresh, crisp garnish to the final dish.

Cooking Instructions For One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Cooking Instructions For One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Step 1: Sizzle Chicken in Skillet

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and generously sprinkle with:
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Smoked paprika

Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it turns golden brown and is completely cooked through.

Step 2: Whip Up Flavor-Packed Sauce

In a separate bowl, blend together:
  • BBQ sauce
  • Honey
  • Soy sauce
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Red pepper flakes

Whisk the ingredients until well combined and smooth.

Step 3: Coat and Caramelize

Pour the vibrant sauce over the cooked chicken, stirring to ensure every piece is evenly coated.

Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes, letting the sauce thicken and develop a rich, caramelized glaze.

Step 4: Incorporate Rice

Add the pre-cooked rice to the skillet, gently mixing it with the saucy chicken to distribute flavors throughout.

Continue cooking for an additional two minutes to heat the rice thoroughly.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions over the dish for a bright, crisp finish.

Serve piping hot and enjoy the bold, sweet, and tangy one-pan meal.

Helpful Tips For Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Success

  • Use a smoky BBQ sauce for deeper, richer taste that complements the honey's sweetness.
  • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture.
  • Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer for a more caramelized glaze or adding a splash of water for a lighter coating.
  • Cook rice in advance to reduce overall cooking time and make this a faster weeknight dinner option.
  • Substitute chicken with tofu or plant-based protein for a vegetarian version that maintains the same bold flavor profile.

Flavor Twists To Try With Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

  • Spicy Cajun Chicken Rice: Replace BBQ sauce with Cajun seasoning, use hot sauce instead of honey, and add diced bell peppers for extra heat and color.
  • Teriyaki Chicken Rice: Swap BBQ sauce for teriyaki sauce, use sesame oil instead of olive oil, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, replace BBQ sauce with a gluten-free brand, and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Rice Swap: Substitute regular rice with cauliflower rice for a lower-carb version, keeping all other ingredients and cooking methods the same.

Pairing Suggestions For Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

  • Enhance Flavor Harmony: Pair this bold honey BBQ chicken rice with crisp, refreshing white wine like Riesling to balance the sweet and tangy sauce.
  • Complementary Side Kick: Serve alongside a light, crunchy coleslaw with apple cider vinegar dressing to echo the dish's bright, zesty notes and provide textural contrast.
  • Cool Down Partner: Add a side of cucumber salad with fresh dill to cut through the richness of the BBQ chicken and provide a cooling, herbal counterpoint.
  • Beverage Blast: Choose an ice-cold craft beer with citrus hints, like a wheat ale or summer shandy, to complement the dish's sweet and smoky flavor profile.

Storage Recommendations For Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

  • Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
  • Pack the chicken rice in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.
  • Place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.

FAQs

  • What are the key spices used in this recipe?

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika are the primary spices that season the chicken, adding depth and complexity to the dish’s flavor profile.

  • How can I make the BBQ sauce more or less spicy?

Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the heat level. More flakes increase spiciness, while fewer or omitting them will create a milder sauce.

  • Why cook everything in one pan?

One-pan cooking saves time on preparation and cleanup, allows flavors to blend seamlessly, and helps the chicken and rice absorb the delicious BBQ sauce more effectively.

  • Can I use a different type of rice?

Yes, you can substitute white rice with brown rice, basmati, or jasmine rice. Just ensure the rice is pre-cooked to maintain the recipe’s quick cooking time.

One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Magic

  • Rescue Comfort in a Bowl: This colcannon soup delivers warm, hearty Irish-inspired comfort that wraps you in deliciousness, perfect for chilly days or when you need a soul-satisfying meal.
  • Master Quick Cooking: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, allowing anyone to create a restaurant-quality soup without complicated techniques.
  • Customize Your Flavor: The recipe offers flexible options for personalization, letting you adjust seasonings, add extra toppings like crispy bacon, or swap ingredients to match your taste preferences and dietary needs.
  • Crowd-Pleaser Potential: With its creamy texture and familiar potato-cabbage combination, this soup appeals to both kids and adults, making it an excellent choice for family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
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One-Pan Bold Honey Bbq Chicken Rice Recipe

One-Pan Bold Honey Bbq Chicken Rice Recipe


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4.8 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling one-pan bold honey bbq chicken rice delivers comfort and convenience in a single skillet. Juicy chicken nestled with fluffy rice creates a perfect weeknight meal that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds, promising you a delicious dinner without extensive cleanup.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (450 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Base:

  • 2 cups cooked rice

Sauce and Seasonings:

  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat a large skillet to medium-high heat, drizzling olive oil to create a glossy cooking surface.
  2. Introduce chicken pieces into the hot skillet, generously seasoning with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika for a robust flavor profile.
  3. Sauté chicken for 5-6 minutes, rotating periodically to ensure uniform golden-brown coloration and complete internal cooking.
  4. Prepare a vibrant sauce by whisking BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a separate mixing bowl.
  5. Cascade the sauce over the perfectly cooked chicken, gently stirring to achieve comprehensive coating.
  6. Allow the mixture to gently simmer for 2-3 minutes, watching the sauce transform into a rich, caramelized glaze.
  7. Fold cooked rice into the skillet, thoroughly integrating it with the saucy chicken mixture.
  8. Continue heating for an additional 2 minutes to ensure uniform temperature throughout the dish.
  9. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

  • Tenderize chicken beforehand by pounding to even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
  • Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or using mild BBQ sauce for sensitive palates.
  • Swap white rice with brown rice or quinoa for added nutritional value and interesting texture variations.
  • Use leftover rotisserie chicken to reduce cooking time and create a quick weeknight meal option.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 310 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Maya Thompson

Maya Thompson

Culinary Content Creator & Nutrition Enthusiast

Expertise

Healthy single-serving recipes, Meal prepping for individuals, Integrating nutrition into everyday cooking, Vegetarian and plant-based cuisine​

Education

The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Nutrition, meal planning, and culinary techniques for healthy living.


Maya found her passion in the kitchen by mixing good food with good energy. After earning her culinary degree at The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College, she made it her mission to keep cooking simple, wholesome, and packed with flavor.
At Steelhead Diner, Maya shares easy, healthy recipes built for real life. For Maya, great food seems like a celebration of everyday moments, made better one fresh bite at a time.

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