Description
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a quick, flavorful, and comforting meal featuring tender chicken coated in a sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce, served over fluffy steamed rice. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is both easy to prepare and customizable, making it ideal for all ages and dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons honey
Base
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (freshly steamed or warmed)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or cooking oil
Optional garnish
- Chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to build a flavorful base.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, ensuring a juicy interior and nicely seared crust.
- Coat with Honey BBQ Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Pour the BBQ sauce and honey over the cooked chicken. Stir gently to coat all pieces evenly. Let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and becomes sticky.
- Prepare the Rice: While cooking the chicken, prepare the rice according to package instructions. Use fluffy white or brown rice, freshly steamed or reheated, to provide the perfect base for the saucy chicken.
- Assemble and Serve: Place the cooked rice onto serving plates or bowls. Top generously with the honey BBQ chicken and sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh chicken for more even cooking and better sauce absorption.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain juices and tenderness.
- If the BBQ sauce is too thin, continue simmering it to thicken and create a sticky glaze.
- Fluff the rice with a fork before serving to keep grains separate and maximize sauce absorption.
- For a smoky depth, try grilling the chicken instead of pan-searing before coating it with sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-searing and simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg