HONEY BBQ CHICKEN RICE

This Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice is one of those easy skillet meals that delivers big flavor with very little effort. I start by seasoning bite-sized pieces of chicken breast and cooking them until they're golden brown and perfectly tender. While the chicken rests, I sauté onions and garlic in the same skillet to build layers of flavor. The rice cooks directly in the pan with chicken broth, soaking up all those savory juices. The star of the dish is the sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce that coats the chicken and infuses the rice with incredible flavor. Once everything is tender and the liquid is absorbed, the result is a hearty one-pan meal packed with smoky, sweet, savory goodness in every bite.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Made in one skillet for easy cleanup

Sweet, smoky, and savory flavors everyone loves

Budget-friendly ingredients

Perfect weeknight meal

Family-approved comfort food

Great for meal prep and leftovers

Ready in about 35 minutes

Packed with tender chicken and flavorful rice

Variations

Spicy Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice

Add diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce for extra heat.

Bacon Honey BBQ Rice

Cook chopped bacon first and use some of the bacon drippings to cook the chicken.

Cheesy Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice

Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese during the final few minutes of cooking.

Honey BBQ Ranch Chicken & Rice

Drizzle ranch dressing over the finished dish before serving.

Southwest Version

Add black beans, corn, and diced bell peppers for a Tex-Mex twist.

Smoked Sausage Version

Replace half the chicken with sliced smoked sausage for a heartier meal.

HONEY BBQ CHICKEN RICE

Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice is a simple one-skillet dinner loaded with juicy chicken, tender rice, sweet honey, smoky barbecue sauce, and savory seasonings. It's easy, family-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights.

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Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• ½ small onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ cup barbecue sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Chopped parsley
• Sliced green onions

Instructions

 

• In a small bowl, whisk together: Barbecue sauce, Honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Set aside.
• Season the chicken pieces with: Salt, Black pepper, Garlic powder, Onion powder and Smoked paprika. Toss until evenly coated.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Pour half of the honey BBQ sauce over the chicken and toss to coat. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the diced onion and garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
• Stir in the uncooked rice and chicken broth. Mix well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
• Return the chicken to the skillet. Pour the remaining honey BBQ sauce over the mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook on low heat for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish with parsley or green onions and serve.

Video

Recipe Tips

For the best flavor, allow the chicken to develop a nice golden-brown crust before adding the sauce. Those browned bits on the bottom of the skillet add incredible depth to the rice as it cooks.

Keyword chicken and rice recipes, chicken breast recipes, honey bbq, honey bbq chicken, honey bbq chicken rice, rice recipes

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