Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet (Print Version)

Hearty Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet brings sweet, smoky flavors to your table. Easy weeknight dinner with tender chicken, fluffy rice.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Dairy-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 cup long-grain white rice (Jasmine or Basmati)
04 - 2 cups chicken broth
05 - 1/2 yellow onion, diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Honey BBQ Sauce

07 - 1/2 cup ketchup
08 - 1/4 cup honey
09 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
13 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
15 - Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Finishing Touches

16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
17 - 2 tbsp green onions, sliced

→ Optional Extras

18 - A dash of hot sauce for serving
19 - A squeeze of fresh lime juice

# Instructions:

01 - Alright, first things first, let’s get that chicken beautifully browned. Pat your chicken thighs dry—this is key for a good sear, trust me. Season them with a little salt and pepper. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully place the chicken thighs in the pan. Don't overcrowd it, or they'll steam instead of sear, and we want that gorgeous golden crust! Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until they’re nicely browned, then set them aside on a plate. My kitchen always smells amazing at this point, it’s just the best start!
02 - Now, into that same pan with all those delicious bits left from the chicken, add a bit more oil if needed. Toss in your diced onion and let it soften up for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, add your minced garlic (or garlic powder, if you're in a pinch, but fresh is *always* better, hon). Cook for just another minute until it’s fragrant, but be careful not to burn it—burnt garlic is a sad, bitter thing. I've definitely rushed this step before and regretted it, so take your time here!
03 - This is where the magic happens for our Honey BBQ Chicken Rice. Pour in the ketchup, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder into the skillet. Give it a good whisk until everything is smoothly combined and starts to bubble gently. Let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes, stirring, allowing those flavors to really get acquainted. It should thicken up a little and smell wonderfully sweet and tangy, with that hint of smokiness. Yum!
04 - Time to reunite the chicken with its sauce! Carefully nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, making sure they’re pretty well coated in that glorious Honey BBQ sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the chicken to finish cooking through and really soak up all those delicious flavors. I always peek in here, and the smell is just incredible—it starts getting really sticky and wonderful.
05 - Now for the rice! Stir in your long-grain white rice directly into the skillet, making sure it’s evenly distributed around the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth, making sure it covers the rice. Give it a gentle stir, but don't overmix. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting possible, cover the skillet tightly, and let it cook for about 18-20 minutes. Resist the urge to lift that lid! I've definitely done it before, and it messes with the steam, making the rice less fluffy.
06 - Once the rice is cooked and all the liquid is absorbed, remove the skillet from the heat, but *keep the lid on* for another 10 minutes. This resting period is crucial for fluffy rice, seriously. After resting, fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions. The final result should look vibrant, smell absolutely divine, and taste like pure comfort. Serve it straight from the skillet; it’s just so inviting!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken; otherwise, it’ll steam instead of brown beautifully.
02 - Resist lifting the lid while the rice cooks! That steam is what makes it perfectly fluffy, trust me.
03 - Let the finished Honey BBQ Chicken Rice rest for 10 minutes, covered, after cooking for the best texture.
04 - For an extra flavor boost, marinate the chicken in a little of the BBQ sauce for 30 minutes before searing.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet or Dutch oven
02 - cutting board
03 - knife
04 - measuring cups
05 - measuring spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 650
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 70g
Protein: 40g

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