If you are craving a meal that combines sweet, smoky, and satisfying flavors all in one bowl, this Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe is about to become your new favorite comfort dinner. Featuring tender grilled chicken marinated in a luscious honey BBQ sauce, served atop fluffy jasmine rice, this dish perfectly balances all the best things about BBQ without needing a whole afternoon to prepare. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, this recipe promises to deliver that delicious homemade vibe that everyone will ask for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe lies in its simplicity—each ingredient playing a key role in building layers of flavor, moisture, and texture. From the fragrant jasmine rice to the bold spices in the marinade, every element is essential to create a harmonious and mouthwatering meal.
- 2 cups jasmine rice: Offers a fragrant, fluffy base that soaks up the delicious sauces beautifully.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Lean and juicy, perfect for grilling and marinating.
- 1 cup honey: Brings a natural sweetness to balance the smoky and tangy BBQ flavors.
- 1 cup BBQ sauce: Choose your favorite brand for that signature smoky tang and rich depth.
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce: Adds savory umami, enhancing the marinade’s complexity.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps keep the chicken moist and aids grilling.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses a warm, aromatic punch into the marinade.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder: Adds subtle sweetness and depth without overpowering the other spices.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Delivers that smoky flavor that ties the BBQ feel together.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential seasonings to bring out the natural flavors.
- 1 cup chicken broth: Used for cooking the rice, adding extra savory richness.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish): Adds a fresh, herbal touch and lovely color contrast.
- Optional: sliced green onions for garnish: Offers a crisp, mild onion crunch and vibrant green.
How to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
Mix the honey, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl. This marinade is where all the delicious layers of flavor start, combining sweetness, tang, and just the right amount of smoky spice for that irresistible taste.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Place your chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, then pour the marinade over, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but if time allows, several hours or overnight will deepen the flavor wonderfully.
Step 3: Rinse and Cook the Jasmine Rice
Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear to wash away excess starch. Then combine it with chicken broth in a saucepan, bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Let it rest off the heat, covered, to finish steaming and fluff with a fork before serving.
Step 4: Grill the Chicken
Preheat your grill or grill pan, lightly oil the grates, then place the chicken on it. Cook 6-7 minutes on one side without moving to get beautiful grill marks. Flip and cook another 6-7 minutes until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Step 5: Slice and Assemble
Allow the grilled chicken to rest for five minutes before slicing it into strips or bite-sized pieces. Lay a generous layer of fluffy jasmine rice on your serving platter, arrange the chicken on top, then drizzle additional BBQ sauce over everything for an extra punch of flavor.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and sliced green onions for a pop of color and freshness. Your Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe is now ready to delight every hungry mouth at your table!
How to Serve Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing is a fun chance to add a fresh, bright contrast to this hearty dish. Chopped parsley and thinly sliced green onions bring a subtle crispness and vibrant look that complements the rich, smoky chicken beautifully.
Side Dishes
Keep things balanced with light, fresh sides like a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables such as broccoli or snap peas. These add texture and color without overwhelming the main flavors of the Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the chicken and rice in individual bowls topped with grilled corn kernels or black beans. This adds an extra layer of smoky sweetness and variety that makes the dish feel festive and hearty.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe keeps well for up to 3 days, making it a great option for quick lunches or dinners later in the week.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken and rice separately in freezer-safe containers for up to a month. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.
Reheating
Gently reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to keep the rice moist and fluffy. This simple step revives the dish perfectly without drying it out.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of rice?
Absolutely! While jasmine rice is recommended for its fragrance and fluffiness, basmati or even brown rice can be substituted if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time according to the rice type.
Is it necessary to marinate the chicken overnight?
Overnight marinating intensifies the flavor, but even 30 minutes will still give a tasty, well-seasoned chicken. If short on time, try to marinate for at least half an hour.
Can I make this recipe on a stovetop instead of grilling?
Yes! You can cook the marinated chicken in a skillet over medium heat. Cook each side for about 6-7 minutes until cooked through and nicely caramelized.
What type of BBQ sauce works best?
Choose a BBQ sauce you love since it plays a starring role. Sweet and smoky sauces complement the honey well, but feel free to experiment with spicy or tangy variations for a twist.
How spicy is this dish?
This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe is mild with a sweet and smoky profile, thanks to the honey and BBQ sauce. If you like extra heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the marinade.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with the Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe—it’s a fantastic meal that’s straightforward to make yet packed with flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners, it’s sure to become a go-to in your recipe collection. Give it a try and watch it turn into a family favorite faster than you expect!
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Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 to 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a flavorful and easy-to-make dinner recipe featuring tender grilled chicken breasts marinated in a sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce, served atop fluffy jasmine rice. Perfect for a satisfying family meal, it combines aromatic spices and wholesome ingredients to deliver a delicious balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors.
Ingredients
Rice
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for grilling)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together honey, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until the mixture is well blended.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated thoroughly. Seal or cover, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally a few hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Rinse the Rice: Using a fine-mesh strainer, rinse the jasmine rice under cold running water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
- Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 4 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Let Rice Rest: Turn off the heat and keep the saucepan covered for an additional 10 minutes. Then fluff the rice gently with a fork.
- Preheat Grill: Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken for Grilling: Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Discard the leftover marinade.
- Grill Chicken – First Side: Place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes to develop grill marks and cook through partially.
- Grill Chicken – Second Side: Flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 6-7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, enhancing tenderness.
- Slice the Chicken: Cut the grilled chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces for easy serving.
- Assemble the Dish: In a large bowl or platter, spread a generous layer of fluffy jasmine rice as the base.
- Add Chicken: Arrange the sliced grilled chicken evenly atop the rice layer.
- Enhance Flavor: Drizzle extra BBQ sauce over the chicken for added moisture and taste.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and optional sliced green onions over the top to add freshness and color.
- Serve: Serve the Honey BBQ Chicken Rice warm alongside complementary sides like a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables.
- Store Leftovers: Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth to keep the rice moist.
- Optional Twist: For added variety, include grilled corn or black beans as extra mix-ins or side dishes to complement the meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies the flavors and helps tenderize the meat.
- Be sure to oil the grill grates to prevent the chicken from sticking and tearing.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F (75°C).
- Fluffing the rice after resting helps keep it light and prevents clumping.
- Add fresh garnishes like parsley and green onions just before serving for the best appearance and flavor.
- Leftover rice can dry out quickly; reheating with chicken broth adds moisture back.
- Adjust the amount of BBQ sauce and honey based on your sweetness preference.
