Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a flavorful and comforting dish that perfectly balances the sweetness of honey with the smoky tang of BBQ sauce. Tender chicken breasts or thighs are seared to golden perfection, glazed in a sticky honey BBQ sauce, and served over fluffy jasmine or long-grain rice. Easy to make and highly customizable, this meal is ideal for busy weeknights or family dinners and is sure to become a favorite with its deliciously caramelized edges and rich, savory glaze.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
- 2 tbsp honey
Rice
- 1 cup jasmine or long-grain rice
- 2 cups water or as per package instructions
Garnishes (Optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Green onions, chopped
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the boneless chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through with a juicy interior. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Honey BBQ Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the BBQ sauce and honey, combining thoroughly. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Coat the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Spoon the honey BBQ sauce over each piece, coating them well. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for a couple of minutes to allow the flavors to meld and for the sauce to cling beautifully to the meat.
- Cook the Rice: While the chicken simmers, prepare the rice according to the package instructions, aiming for fluffy and light grains that will absorb the sauce perfectly.
- Plate and Garnish: Serve the saucy honey BBQ chicken over a warm bed of cooked rice. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, green onions, or sesame seeds for a fresh and vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra juiciness and tenderness.
- Don’t skip the garlic as it elevates the sauce with aromatic depth.
- Simmer the sauce patiently to thicken, enhancing its cling and flavor intensity.
- Allow cooked chicken to rest briefly before slicing to lock in juices.
- Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains for an ideal texture under the saucy chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Honey BBQ Chicken, BBQ Chicken Rice, Easy Chicken Recipe, Family Dinner, Sweet and Savory Chicken