Honey BBQ Chicken Rice – CookTune
**Introduction**
The search for a weeknight dinner that is universally loved, incredibly easy, and delivers on bold flavor ends right here. Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a hearty, sweet, and smoky one-skillet wonder that brings the beloved taste of barbecue right to your dinner table. Imagine tender, juicy chicken pieces glazed in a sticky, homemade honey BBQ sauce, nestled into a bed of fluffy white rice that has absorbed every drop of that savory-sweet goodness. The dish is punctuated with pops of color and texture from sweet corn, black beans, and fresh green onions. Its overall character is comforting, family-friendly, and satisfyingly robust. It’s perfect for those busy evenings when you need a dependable, all-in-one meal that comes together quickly with minimal cleanup, yet tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
**Perfect for:**
* Busy Weeknight Dinners
* Family-Friendly Meals
* Easy Meal Prep for Lunches
* Casual Weekend Gatherings
* Picky Eater Solutions
**Why You’ll Love This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe**
**One-Skillet Simplicity:** Everything cooks in a single pan, from searing the chicken to simmering the rice. This means incredible, layered flavor and only one dish to wash.
**Perfect Sweet & Smoky Balance:** The quick homemade BBQ sauce, sweetened with honey and balanced with vinegar and spices, coats every ingredient without being cloying or overly heavy.
**Packed with Texture and Nutrition:** This isn’t just rice and chicken. The addition of corn and black beans adds fiber, protein, and vibrant color, making it a complete and wholesome meal.
**Meal Prep Champion:** This dish stores and reheats beautifully. Make a batch on Sunday for effortless, tasty lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.
**Preparation and Cooking Time**
Total Time: 40 minutes
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories per serving: Approximately 480-520 calories
**Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Estimate):**
**Calories:** 480-520 kcal
**Protein:** 35g
**Carbohydrates:** 65g
**Fat:** 9g
**Fiber:** 6g
**Sugar:** 18g
**Nutritional Disclaimer**
aileenrecipes is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
**Ingredients**
* 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
* 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* ½ teaspoon salt
* ½ teaspoon black pepper
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 small yellow onion, diced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
* 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
* 1 cup sweet corn (fresh, canned & drained, or frozen)
* 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
* ⅓ cup barbecue sauce
* ¼ cup honey
* 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* ½ teaspoon chili powder
* 3 green onions, sliced, for garnish
**Step-by-Step Instructions**
1. **Season the Chicken:** In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
2. **Sear the Chicken:** In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked through at this stage. Remove to a plate and set aside.
3. **Sauté Aromatics:** In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. **Toast the Rice:** Add the rinsed rice to the skillet. Stir constantly for 1 minute to lightly toast the grains.
5. **Create the Sauce & Simmer:** Pour in the chicken broth. To the broth, add the barbecue sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder. Whisk gently in the skillet to combine. Stir in the corn and black beans.
6. **Combine and Cook:** Return the seared chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet, nestling it into the rice mixture. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
7. **Rest and Fluff:** After 20 minutes, remove the skillet from the heat. Keep it covered and let it rest for 5 full minutes. This allows the rice to finish steaming and absorb any remaining liquid.
8. **Final Touch:** Remove the lid. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish generously with sliced green onions before serving.
**How to Serve Honey BBQ Chicken Rice**
* Serve directly from the skillet as a complete, all-in-one main course.
* Pair with a simple, crisp side salad like coleslaw or a green salad with a ranch dressing to complement the BBQ flavors.
* Top with extra barbecue sauce or a dollop of cool sour cream or Greek yogurt for a creamy contrast.
* Spoon into bowls and add extra toppings like diced avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, or chopped fresh cilantro.
**Additional Tips for Honey BBQ Chicken Rice**
* **Rinse the Rice:** Rinsing removes excess surface starch, preventing the dish from becoming gummy and resulting in fluffier individual grains.
* **Use a Tight Lid:** A tight-fitting lid is essential for trapping steam to properly cook the rice. If your lid is loose, cover the skillet with foil first, then place the lid on top.
* **Don’t Peek:** Resist the urge to lift the lid during the 18-minute simmer. Releasing the steam will result in undercooked rice.
* **Chicken Thighs for More Flavor:** For even juicier, more flavorful results, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They are more forgiving and stay tender.
**Recipe Variations of Honey BBQ Chicken Rice**
**Spicy Pineapple Version:** Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sauce and stir in 1 cup of diced fresh pineapple with the corn and beans.
**Cheesy BBQ Bake:** After fluffing the rice, sprinkle 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese over the top. Place under a broiler for 2-3 minutes until bubbly and golden.
**Pulled Pork or Beef Version:** Substitute the chicken with 3 cups of leftover or store-bought pulled pork or shredded beef. Add it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking just to heat through.
**Freezing and Storage for Honey BBQ Chicken Rice**
**Storage:** Cool leftovers completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
**Reheating:** Reheat gently in the microwave with a splash of water or broth, or in a covered skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally.
**Freezing:** This dish freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Note that the texture of the rice may be slightly softer upon thawing.
**FAQ Section about Honey BBQ Chicken Rice**
**Can I use brown rice?**
Yes, but it requires more liquid and a longer cook time. Use 3 cups of broth and increase the simmer time to 40-45 minutes. Check package instructions for exact liquid ratios.
**My rice is still hard after 20 minutes. What happened?**
The heat may have been too low, or the lid was not tight. Add ¼ cup of hot broth or water, cover, and continue cooking on low for another 5-8 minutes.
**Can I make this in a rice cooker?**
Yes. Sear the chicken and sauté the onions/garlic in a skillet first. Then, transfer everything (including uncooked rice, broth, sauce ingredients, corn, beans, and the seared chicken) to the rice cooker pot. Stir, close, and cook on the standard white rice setting.
**Is this dish very sweet?**
The honey provides a distinct sweetness that is balanced by the tang of vinegar and BBQ sauce, the savoriness of the broth, and the spice from the paprika and chili powder. For a less sweet version, reduce the honey to 2 tablespoons.
**Conclusion of Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe**
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice stands as a triumphant solution to the perpetual “what’s for dinner?” challenge. It masterfully combines convenience with crave-worthy flavor, proving that a single skillet can yield a meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent. The sticky, savory-sweet sauce, the tender protein, and the fluffy, flavorful rice create a harmonious bite that appeals to all ages. This recipe is a versatile foundation—forgiving, adaptable, and reliably delicious. It’s the kind of dish that earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation, providing comfort, satisfaction, and precious time saved. Grab your skillet and gather the ingredients; a effortlessly delicious dinner is just 40 minutes away.