Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe delivers tender chicken glazed in a sweet and savory honey BBQ sauce, served over fluffy rice. It's a quick, easy, and customizable meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Large Skillet or Wok
- Medium bowl
- Small bowl
- Whisk
- Fork
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Paper towels
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of salt, or to taste
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard optional
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1.5 cups uncooked long-grain rice
- 3 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil optional
- Pinch of salt
- Chopped green onions optional, for topping
- Sesame seeds optional, for topping
- Steamed broccoli or other veggies optional, for topping
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Combine the rice, water (or broth), butter/oil (if using), and salt in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer, cooking in batches if needed.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and slightly browned.
- While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small bowl.
- Once the chicken is cooked through, pour the Honey BBQ sauce over the chicken in the skillet.
- Stir to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens slightly and the chicken is nicely glazed.
- Spoon the cooked rice into bowls.
- Top with the Honey BBQ chicken.
- Garnish with your favorite toppings.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
For stickier rice, ensure the rice is rinsed well before cooking. To thicken the sauce, simmer for a longer duration or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water). Marinating the chicken in the spice mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking enhances the flavor. Store cooked rice and chicken separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.