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Easy honey BBQ chicken rice features juicy chicken pieces glazed in a sweet and smoky sauce served over fluffy white rice, making for a delicious and simple weeknight meal.

Sticky Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

This recipe offers a quick and easy way to enjoy the classic honey BBQ chicken flavor. Combining tender chicken with fluffy rice and a delicious honey BBQ sauce, it's a customizable and crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
  • 1 cup honey BBQ sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Optional: 1 bell pepper, diced
  • Optional: 1/2 cup frozen or canned corn
  • Optional: 1/2 cup diced pineapple
  • Optional: 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven with lid
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • Mixing spoon or spatula
  • Saucepan (if making homemade BBQ sauce)

Method
 

  1. Prepare ingredients: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, and measure out the rice, broth, honey BBQ sauce, and spices.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
  3. Brown the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides, but not necessarily cooked through.
  4. Add rice and broth: Stir in the uncooked rice and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed.
  5. Add honey BBQ sauce: Stir in the honey BBQ sauce. Ensure the chicken is fully cooked through. If not, continue to simmer until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If adding optional ingredients like bell peppers, corn, or pineapple, stir them in now.
  6. Heat through: Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until everything is heated through and the sauce is nicely coating the chicken and rice.
  7. Serve and enjoy: Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Adjust the amount of honey BBQ sauce to your liking. If you don't have chicken broth, water can be used as a substitute. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving. For a slow cooker version, brown the chicken, then add all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.