Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender chicken glazed with sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce served over a fluffy bed of long grain rice. This easy-to-make recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights, and highly customizable to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- Chicken breasts or thighs – 1 lb (about 450g), boneless and skinless
- Honey BBQ sauce – ½ cup (120ml)
Rice
- Long grain rice – 1 cup (200g)
Aromatics
- Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
- Onion – 1 medium, diced
Vegetables (Optional)
- Bell peppers or other veggies – 1 cup, chopped
Cooking Fats & Seasoning
- Olive oil or butter – 2 tablespoons
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
- Prepare the Rice: Cook the long grain rice according to the package instructions, ensuring the grains come out fluffy and separated to serve as the perfect base for the chicken.
- Sauté Aromatics: While the rice cooks, heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing until fragrant and translucent to build a flavorful foundation.
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, locking in juices for tender bites.
- Add Honey BBQ Sauce: Pour the honey BBQ sauce over the cooked chicken, stirring gently to coat evenly. Let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and the chicken absorbs all the flavors.
- Combine and Serve: Spoon the saucy chicken over the bed of rice. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro, sliced green onions, or toasted sesame seeds for added freshness and presentation.
Notes
- Choose chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat or breasts for a leaner option.
- Be careful not to overcook the rice to maintain a fluffy texture that balances the saucy chicken.
- Consider making your own honey BBQ sauce to control sweetness and freshness.
- Marinate chicken in some sauce prior to cooking for extra flavor depth.
- Garnish with fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley for bright color and fresh taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup chicken with ½ cup rice)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Honey BBQ Chicken, Chicken Rice Bowl, Easy Dinner, Weeknight Recipe, Sweet and Smoky Chicken, Gluten-Free Dinner