Description
This One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe combines tender, flavorful chicken breasts with a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce, all cooked together with fragrant, perfectly tender rice. The dish is finished with melty cheddar cheese and fresh green onions for an easy, comforting weeknight meal that requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Rice and Broth
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
Honey BBQ Mixture
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Toppings
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Season the chicken: In a bowl or on a plate, sprinkle 4 chicken breasts evenly with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to add bold flavors.
- Cook chicken breasts: Place the seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, cooking each side for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove chicken: Take the cooked chicken breasts out and set them aside on a plate to rest while preparing the rice.
- Toast the rice: In the same skillet, add 1 cup long-grain white rice and stir it for approximately 1 minute to slightly toast and enhance its nutty flavor.
- Add chicken broth: Pour in 1 1/2 cups chicken broth to cover the rice evenly, ensuring proper cooking and flavor absorption.
- Bring to simmer: Heat the broth and rice mixture until it begins to simmer, then reduce heat to low for gentle cooking.
- Cook the rice: Cover the skillet and allow the rice to cook for 15 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender but not mushy.
- Prepare honey BBQ sauce: While rice cooks, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in a small bowl to create a sweet and tangy glaze.
- Return chicken to skillet: Once the rice is done, place the chicken breasts back into the skillet on top of the cooked rice to combine flavors.
- Pour sauce over chicken: Drizzle the honey BBQ mixture evenly over the chicken breasts and rice.
- Simmer with sauce: Cover the skillet again and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes to allow the sauce to meld with the chicken and rice and heat through thoroughly.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken and rice, then cover the skillet to help the cheese melt evenly within 2-3 minutes.
- Melt the cheese: Let the cheese melt completely while covered, ensuring a creamy, rich finish.
- Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and scatter 1/4 cup chopped green onions over the top for fresh flavor and color.
- Serve immediately: Dish out the honey BBQ chicken along with the flavorful rice onto plates, enjoying the one-pan convenience and delicious taste.
Notes
- Use a large skillet with a lid to ensure even cooking and proper absorption of liquid by the rice.
- Adjust BBQ sauce and honey quantities to your desired level of sweetness or tanginess.
- For more smoky flavor, use smoked paprika but feel free to substitute with regular paprika if needed.
- Covering the skillet during cooking helps to steam the rice and melt the cheese effectively.
- Ensure chicken breasts are evenly cooked through by checking with a meat thermometer.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
