Description
How to make honey BBQ chicken rice with tender chicken, sweet glaze and fluffy rice that creates the perfect comfort meal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Rice Base
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups jasmine rice, rinsed until water runs clear
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
Honey BBQ Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and half the smoked paprika. Let sit for 5 minutes while you prep other ingredients.
- Make Sauce: Whisk together honey, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, remaining paprika, and cayenne in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook 4-5 minutes until golden brown on all sides.
- Add Aromatics: Add diced onion to the pan with chicken and cook 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant. The onions should be translucent but not browned.
- Cook Rice: Add rice to the pan and stir for 1 minute to toast lightly. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Simmer Together: Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes before fluffing.
- Finish Dish: Drizzle honey BBQ sauce over the rice and chicken, then gently fold to combine. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving warm.
Notes
- Don’t skip browning the chicken properly or the flavors won’t develop fully.
- Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can substitute brown rice but increase cooking time to 25 minutes.
- Serve immediately while warm for the best texture and flavor.
- Double the sauce recipe if you like extra glaze on your rice.
- Let the rice rest 5 minutes after cooking for perfect fluffiness.
Allergy Information: Soy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Protein: 32g