One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice: Sweet, Smoky, and Effortless

Who doesn’t love the combination of sweet, smoky BBQ chicken paired with fluffy, flavorful rice? One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is exactly that: a comforting, saucy, all-in-one meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for casual dinner guests.

This recipe marries tender chicken thighs with sticky honey BBQ glaze while the rice cooks in the same pan, soaking up all those bold flavors. The result? Every bite bursts with savory, sweet, and smoky goodness. With minimal cleanup, maximum flavor, and a simple ingredient list, this dish will quickly become a family favorite.

🥘 Why You’ll Love One Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

• No-fuss cooking: Everything cooks in a single pan — less cleanup, more flavor.
• Bold flavor: Honey and BBQ sauce create a sticky, caramelized coating on the chicken.
• Quick weeknight dinner: Ready in under 40 minutes.
• Customizable: Add veggies like bell peppers, corn, or peas.
• Family-friendly: Sweet and smoky notes appeal to both kids and adults.

🧂 Ingredients

• 4 bone-in or boneless chicken thighs
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for heat)
• Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish

🔪 Instructions

1. Season and sear the chicken:
Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté aromatics and veggies:
In the same skillet, sauté diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes.

3. Add rice and liquids:
Stir in rice, ensuring it’s coated with oil and aromatics. Pour in chicken broth, BBQ sauce, and honey. Mix gently to combine.

4. Return chicken to the pan:
Nestle the seared chicken on top of the rice mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 20–25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).

5. Finish and serve:
Remove lid and let rest 5 minutes. Spoon rice onto plates and drizzle any remaining sauce over the chicken. Garnish with parsley or green onions. Serve immediately.

One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Tender chicken thighs glazed with honey BBQ sauce, cooked over flavorful rice in one pan. Sweet, smoky, and perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 480

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs bone-in or boneless
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 cup long-grain rice rinsed
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 0.5 cup BBQ sauce
• 3 tbsp honey
• 0.25 tsp chili powder optional
• Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish

Equipment

• Large skillet with lid
• Wooden spoon
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons

Method

 

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
2. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper in the same skillet until soft, about 3 minutes.
4. Add rice, chicken broth, BBQ sauce, and honey. Stir gently to combine.
5. Return chicken to the pan, cover, and simmer 20–25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley or green onions and serve.

Notes

Adjust honey or BBQ sauce to taste for sweetness. Add vegetables like corn or peas for a full meal.

💡 Tips for Perfect Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

• Use bone-in chicken for juicier results. Boneless cooks faster but can dry out if overcooked.
• Honey adjustment: For sweeter glaze, add an extra tablespoon.
• BBQ sauce choice: Bold, smoky sauces work best; adjust spice level to taste.
• Prevent sticking: Use a skillet with a tight-fitting lid and medium-low heat for simmering rice.
• Vegetable additions: Corn, peas, or zucchini can be added with the rice for a complete meal.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

• Pair with a crisp green salad to balance sweetness.
• Serve with roasted or grilled vegetables.
• Top with shredded cheese for extra indulgence.
• Great alongside cornbread or warm dinner rolls to soak up the sauce.

🔄 Variations

1. Spicy Honey BBQ Chicken Rice: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a kick.
2. Smoky Chipotle Version: Mix chipotle in adobo with honey for a smoky-sweet twist.
3. Veggie-Packed Skillet: Add carrots, zucchini, or peas when sautéing onions and garlic.
4. Low-carb alternative: Serve the honey BBQ chicken over cauliflower rice instead of long-grain rice.

🕰️ Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Microwave or reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent dryness.
• Freeze: Fully cooked chicken and rice can be frozen for up to 2 months; reheat in the oven or skillet.

🌟 Why This Dish Works

One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is both convenient and crave-worthy. The beauty is in simplicity: chicken glazed in sticky honey BBQ sauce, rice infused with all those flavors, minimal cleanup, and maximum satisfaction. It’s perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or an effortless dinner that tastes like it took hours to make.

📖 Recipe Summary

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4