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
Scale
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.
