Ugh, weeknights, am I right? It feels like there’s never enough time to make a decent meal. Takeout gets old FAST, and honestly, who wants to spend hours cleaning up after a huge dinner when you could be binge-watching your favorite show? That’s where my One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice comes in to save the day!

Seriously, this recipe is a lifesaver. Not only is it ridiculously easy to throw together – I’m talking minimal prep and cook time – but the flavor is seriously out of this world. Plus, the best part? One pan! That’s it! Cleanup is a breeze. I stumbled upon this recipe ages ago when I was desperately searching for something quick and flavorful that my whole family would actually eat. Now, it’s a regular in our dinner rotation. My kids even ask for it! So, if you’re looking for a weeknight winner, give this One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice a try. You won’t regret it!

Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner

Okay, let’s be real – time is precious! This recipe comes together SO fast. I’m talking from fridge to table in under 40 minutes. Perfect for those crazy weeknights when you’re juggling work, kids, and everything else life throws at you. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!

Bold and Flavorful BBQ Honey Glaze

Oh man, this is the BEST part! The combination of smoky BBQ sauce and sweet honey? It’s seriously addictive. My secret? I like to use a BBQ sauce with a little kick. It balances perfectly with the honey and makes it totally irresistible.

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Minimal Cleanup with One-Pan Cooking

Hallelujah! This is a game-changer. I *hate* doing dishes, so the fact that this entire meal cooks in just one pan? Amazing. More time for Netflix, less time scrubbing. It’s a win-win, people!

Complete Meal in One Pan

Seriously, what’s not to love? You’ve got your protein (chicken), your carbs (rice), and your veggies all in one go. It’s a complete, balanced meal with minimal effort. Plus, you can easily swap out the veggies for whatever you have on hand. Gotta love a versatile recipe!

Ingredients for One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Chicken

Okay, so for the chicken, you’ll want about a pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. I usually go for thighs ’cause they stay super juicy, but breasts work just fine too! Just make sure you cut ’em into 1-inch pieces so they cook evenly.

Rice

You’ll need one cup of long-grain rice. Now, don’t skip this step: give it a good rinse! It helps get rid of extra starch so your rice isn’t gummy. Trust me on this one!

Chicken Broth

Two cups of chicken broth is what you’ll need. I always go for low sodium, just to keep things a little healthier. You can always add more salt later if you need to!

BBQ Sauce

Half a cup of your *favorite* BBQ sauce! Seriously, use whatever brand you love. That’s what makes this recipe so adaptable! I’m a big fan of Sweet Baby Ray’s, but you do you!

Honey

You’ll need a quarter cup of pure honey. Not the fake stuff! The real deal gives it the best flavor.

Mixed Vegetables

One cup of mixed veggies – frozen or fresh, whatever you’ve got on hand! I usually use frozen ’cause it’s just so easy, but fresh is great too. Corn, peas, carrots… the works!

Garlic Powder

A teaspoon of garlic powder. Gotta have that garlic flavor!

Onion Powder

Same goes for the onion powder – a teaspoon of that, too!

Smoked Paprika

Half a teaspoon of smoked paprika. This adds a little something special, a nice smoky flavor that really complements the BBQ sauce. Don’t skip it!

Salt and Pepper

And of course, salt and pepper to taste! Gotta season that chicken, people!

How to Prepare One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Searing the Chicken

Alright, first things first: grab that large skillet and get it over medium heat. Now, season your chicken – salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, the whole shebang! Once the skillet’s hot, carefully place the chicken in there. You’ll want to sear it for about 5 minutes on each side. We’re not trying to cook it all the way through just yet, just get a nice golden-brown color on the outside. That’s where the flavor comes from, trust me!

Making the Honey BBQ Glaze

While the chicken’s searing, let’s whip up that amazing honey BBQ glaze! In a small bowl, whisk together your BBQ sauce and honey. Seriously, the smell alone is going to make your mouth water! Once the chicken is nicely seared, pour that glorious glaze right over the top, making sure everything’s coated. Oh, it’s gonna be good!

Cooking the Rice

Okay, now it’s rice time! Add your rinsed rice and chicken broth to the skillet. Give everything a good stir to combine. Bring it all to a simmer, then pop a lid on that skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook for about 20 minutes. Don’t peek! You want the rice to absorb all that delicious broth and become perfectly tender.

Adding the Vegetables

Almost there! During the last 5 minutes of cooking, sprinkle your mixed vegetables on top of the rice. The steam from the rice will cook them perfectly. If you’re using frozen veggies, make sure they’re not in one big clump; break ’em up a bit so they cook evenly. Fresh veggies will need a *tiny* bit longer, so maybe add them closer to the 7-minute mark.

Resting and Serving

Alright, the magic’s about to happen! Once the rice is tender and the veggies are cooked, take the skillet off the heat and let it sit, covered, for about 5 minutes. This is important! It lets everything settle and the flavors meld together even more. Then, grab a fork and fluff that rice! Serve it up hot and enjoy the easiest, most delicious One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice you’ve ever had!

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Tips for the Best One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

Listen, this is KEY! Don’t try to cram too much chicken into the skillet. If you do, it’ll steam instead of sear, and you won’t get that lovely golden-brown crust. Trust me, sear in batches if you need to. It’s worth it!

Use a Heavy-Bottomed Skillet

A good, heavy-bottomed skillet is your best friend here. It distributes the heat evenly, so you don’t end up with some parts of the rice being perfectly cooked while others are still crunchy. Plus, it helps prevent scorching! I love my cast iron, but anything sturdy will do!

Adjust Liquid as Needed

Keep an eye on things while the rice is cooking! If it looks like it’s drying out too quickly, don’t be afraid to add a little extra chicken broth – like a quarter cup at a time. You want the rice to be tender and fluffy, not dry and crunchy! I usually give it a peek around the 15-minute mark, just to be safe.

One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Variations

Spicy One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Okay, so you like a little heat? I get it! Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the honey BBQ glaze. Trust me, it’ll kick things up a notch! Start small – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away! My favorite part is that little tingle on your tongue!

One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice with Different Vegetables

Seriously, the possibilities are endless! Broccoli, bell peppers (any color!), zucchini… whatever you’ve got lurking in the fridge! Just chop ’em up into bite-sized pieces and add them along with the frozen mixed veggies. It’s a great way to use up leftover veggies, and it adds even more nutrients to your meal. Win-win!

One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice with Quinoa

Wanna switch things up and make it a little healthier? Swap the rice for quinoa! Just remember that quinoa usually needs a little less liquid, so you might want to reduce the chicken broth by about a quarter cup. Also, cooking times might vary slightly, so keep an eye on it. Quinoa’s got a great nutty flavor that goes SO well with the BBQ honey glaze!

Storing and Reheating Your One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Storing

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Just pop that One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice into an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. It’ll keep for about 3-4 days. Perfect for lunch the next day!

Reheating

When you’re ready to dig in again, you can either microwave it for a couple of minutes, or heat it up on the stovetop over medium heat. If it seems a little dry, add a splash of chicken broth or water. Easy peasy!

One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice?

Okay, so you wanna go the brown rice route? Awesome! It’s definitely a healthier option. BUT, brown rice takes longer to cook, so you’ll need to adjust things a bit. You’ll probably need to add about another cup of chicken broth and cook it for around 45 minutes, maybe even a full hour. Just keep checking it until the rice is tender. It’s a little more work, but totally worth it!

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs in One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice?

Yep, chicken breasts will work! But honestly, I gotta warn you: they can dry out a little easier than thighs. So, keep a close eye on them! Maybe even reduce the cooking time by a few minutes. And definitely don’t overcook ’em! Nobody likes dry chicken, right? I find that cutting them into slightly larger chunks helps, too!

Can I make One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice ahead of time?

Absolutely! This dish is actually great for meal prepping. Just cook it according to the recipe, let it cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have time to cook from scratch! I often make a double batch on Sunday so I have lunches for the week.

Nutritional Information for One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Okay, so here’s the deal: nutritional info can vary *a lot* depending on the brands and ingredients you use. So, while I’ve provided an estimate, it’s not an exact science, okay?

Enjoy Your Delicious One-Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Alright, you made it! Now, dig in and enjoy! And hey, if you loved it as much as I do, be sure to rate the recipe and leave a comment. I wanna know what you think!