Cooking up a delicious meal doesn’t have to be complicated! Today, I’m excited to share with you a mouthwatering recipe that’s perfect for quick family dinners—Honey BBQ Chicken Rice. This one-pan wonder is a game-changer for busy weeknights, offering a flavorful blend of sweet and tangy that your whole family will love. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and easy to make, fitting perfectly into the category of easy dinner recipes on a budget. So, let’s dive in and make some magic happen in the kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors with honey and BBQ sauce
- One-pan cooking for easy cleanup
- Ready in just 30 minutes—great for weeknight dinner ideas
- Customizable with your favorite veggies
- Budget-friendly and feeds the whole family
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your choice)
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
- Chopped green onions or parsley
Full ingredient list with measurements is provided in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make the Recipe
Let’s walk through the steps to make this Honey BBQ Chicken Rice:
- Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat.
- Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add a drizzle of oil to the pan and sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the uncooked rice and toast it for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the chicken broth, then stir in the BBQ sauce and honey.
- Return the seared chicken to the pan, nestling it into the rice mixture.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, sprinkle the mixed vegetables over the rice.
- Cover again and continue cooking for 5 more minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temp of 165°F/74°C).
- Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley, and serve hot!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
Here are some tips to ensure your Honey BBQ Chicken Rice turns out perfectly:
- Use high-quality BBQ sauce for the best flavor.
- Don’t skip toasting the rice—it enhances the flavor!
- Add your favorite veggies for customization.
- Let the dish rest before serving for fluffier rice.
How to Serve
This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of Honey Butter Skillet Corn or Honey Garlic Roasted Mushrooms for a well-rounded dinner. For a lighter option, add a simple green salad on the side.
Make Ahead and Storage
This recipe is perfect for meal prep! Cook the dish as instructed, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. You can also prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge for up to a day before cooking.
There you have it—a delicious, easy, and budget-friendly meal that’s sure to become a family favorite! Let me know in the comments how you customize your Honey BBQ Chicken Rice. Happy cooking! 🍳
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts your choice
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup BBQ sauce your choice
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup mixed vegetables frozen or fresh
- Chopped green onions or parsley
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add a drizzle of oil and sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Add the uncooked rice to the same pan and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour in the chicken broth, then stir in the BBQ sauce and honey. Return the seared chicken to the pan, nestling it into the rice mixture.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, sprinkle the mixed vegetables over the rice. Cover again and continue cooking for 5 more minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temp of 165°F/74°C).
- Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice with a fork. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley, and serve hot!