Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Quick and easy Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe ready in 40 minutes. Perfect weeknight dinner with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and sweet homemade honey BBQ sauce.
Equipment
- medium saucepan
- large skillet or Dutch oven
- mixing bowl
- knife
- cutting board
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- spatula
- fork
Ingredients
For the Rice and Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth or water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
For the Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 cup BBQ sauce your favorite
- 0.25 cup honey
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh chives or green onions thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the 1.5 cups long-grain white rice and 3 cups chicken broth or water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- While the rice cooks, pat the 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, flipping occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown on all sides and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the 1 small finely chopped yellow onion to the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add the 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Pour in 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce and 1/4 cup honey. Stir well to coat all the chicken pieces evenly. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and the chicken is fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Add the fluffed, cooked rice to the skillet with the honey BBQ chicken. Gently fold the rice into the chicken and sauce mixture until everything is well combined and the rice is evenly coated with the delicious sauce. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring gently, just to warm the rice through.
- Transfer the Honey BBQ Chicken Rice to serving plates. Garnish generously with 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh chives or green onions, if desired, before serving hot.
Notes
Garnish with fresh chives or green onions for added flavor and presentation.