If you are craving a dish that feels like a warm hug in every bite, you are going to love this One-Skillet Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice Recipe. It combines tender, smoky chicken with sweet and tangy honey BBQ flavors all cooked perfectly alongside fluffy rice in a single skillet. This recipe not only makes cleanup a breeze but also delivers a beautiful harmony of tastes and textures that will satisfy your hunger and brighten your dinner table. Whether you’re feeding the family or impressing friends, this One-Skillet Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice Recipe is destined to become a go-to favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this One-Skillet Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice Recipe has a starring role, from the savory spices that season the chicken to the sweet honey that balances the tangy BBQ sauce. With just a few simple, wholesome ingredients, you’ll create a dish full of vibrant color, flavor, and comforting textures.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless for easy cooking and juicy, tender bites every time.
- Olive oil: Adds a delicate richness and helps brown the chicken to perfection.
- Smoked paprika: Provides a gentle smoky depth that complements the BBQ flavor.
- Garlic powder: Brings savory warmth to the seasoning mix.
- Onion powder: Enhances the overall flavor complexity without overpowering.
- Long-grain white rice: The perfect base that absorbs all the delicious sauce and stays fluffy.
- Chicken broth: Adds moisture and savory depth to the rice.
- BBQ sauce: The heart of the dish, delivering that signature smoky, tangy, and sweet taste.
- Honey: Sweetens the dish naturally and balances the bold BBQ sauce.
- Apple cider vinegar: Gives a subtle zing that enhances the overall brightness of the flavors.
- Chopped green onions (optional): A fresh, crisp garnish that adds color and a mild onion kick.
How to Make One-Skillet Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by seasoning both sides of your chicken breasts with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This spice blend gives the chicken a deliciously smoky and savory foundation that will shine through after it’s seared in the skillet.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6 to 7 minutes on each side. You want a golden-brown crust that locks in juiciness, and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) ensures the chicken is perfectly cooked. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Toast the Rice
In the same skillet, toss in the long-grain white rice. Stir it around so each grain is coated with the leftover oil and delicious browned bits from the chicken. This toasting step adds a subtle nutty flavor that elevates the rice.
Step 4: Add the Liquid Ingredients
Pour in chicken broth, BBQ sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Give everything a good stir to mix those flavors together. Then, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer so the rice can start absorbing all that tasty sauce.
Step 5: Simmer the Rice
Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the rice becomes tender and the liquid has been fully absorbed. This is where the magic happens — the rice transforms into a moist, flavorful bed for the chicken.
Step 6: Return Chicken to Skillet
Place the chicken breasts back on top of the cooked rice, cover the skillet again, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. This final step warms the chicken through while allowing it to soak up some of the saucy goodness from the rice beneath.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Top with chopped green onions if you like a fresh, crisp contrast. Serve this dish hot from the skillet and watch the smiles appear around the table.
How to Serve One-Skillet Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped green onions brightens the dish with a pop of color and adds a mild onion freshness that complements the rich BBQ flavors beautifully. For extra indulgence, a drizzle of additional honey or a dash of smoked paprika on top can also enhance the presentation and taste.
Side Dishes
This hearty chicken and rice duo can be paired wonderfully with a crisp green salad or some roasted vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, or carrots. Creamy coleslaw or pickled veggies also provide a refreshing contrast to the sweet and smoky notes in the dish.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this One-Skillet Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice Recipe family-style straight from the skillet for a cozy, casual vibe. Alternatively, plate each serving with chicken breasts sliced and fanned over the rice for an elegant presentation perfect for entertaining. You can even stuff the chicken on a bed of rice inside a bell pepper for a fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover chicken and rice in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Because everything is cooked together, the flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers just as delicious, if not more so, than fresh.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Freezing is a great way to have a ready-made meal on hand for busy nights.
Reheating
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or chicken broth to bring back moisture in the rice. Cover to trap steam and heat the chicken through without drying it out.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can substitute brown rice, but you’ll need to increase the cooking time and liquid amount slightly since brown rice takes longer to cook and absorbs more liquid.
What type of BBQ sauce works best in the recipe?
Choose a BBQ sauce you love since it’s a key flavor here. A smoky, slightly sweet sauce pairs perfectly, but feel free to use spicy or tangy varieties to suit your taste.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless skinless thighs add extra juiciness and are forgiving if you cook a bit longer. Just adjust cooking times to ensure they’re fully cooked.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be, as long as you use a gluten-free BBQ sauce and check that your chicken broth doesn’t contain gluten. Otherwise, it’s naturally free from wheat ingredients.
How can I make this dish spicier?
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeños when sautéing, or choose a spicy BBQ sauce. Fresh chopped chili peppers as a garnish work well, too.
Final Thoughts
This One-Skillet Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice Recipe is a wonderful go-to dinner that combines simplicity, flavor, and convenience effortlessly. It brings together the best of sweet, smoky, and savory all in one pan, making it a perfect weeknight meal that your whole family will adore. Give it a try and let this cozy dish warm your kitchen and hearts on any night you need a reliable, delicious meal in a flash.
Print
One-Skillet Honey BBQ Chicken & Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delicious one-skillet recipe featuring tender boneless chicken breasts cooked in a smoky honey BBQ sauce served over flavorful, perfectly cooked rice. Ideal for a comforting and quick weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For the Rice:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to build a flavorful base.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 6–7 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Prepare the rice base: Using the same skillet, add the rice and stir to coat it with the flavorful oil and seasoning left behind from cooking the chicken.
- Add liquids and sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, BBQ sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the rice: Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Let the rice cook covered for 15–20 minutes until tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Finish cooking chicken with rice: Place the cooked chicken breasts back on top of the rice, cover the skillet again, and cook for an additional 5 minutes to heat the chicken through and infuse flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the dish if desired and serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- For extra smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
- If you prefer spicier BBQ, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the rice mixture.
- You can swap long-grain white rice for brown rice but increase cooking time accordingly and add more liquid as needed.
- Make sure to keep the heat low when cooking the rice to prevent burning and sticking.
- This dish reheats well; store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat on stovetop or microwave.
