Honey BBQ Chicken Rice has totally rescued me on those wild weeknights when my stomach says “feed me now” and the clock is side-eyeing me. Seriously, sometimes you just want something big on flavor and zero on hassle. That’s why I keep coming back to this one-pan wonder. It’s like you get all that sticky, smoky-sweet comfort of BBQ without heating up the whole kitchen or dirtying a stack of dishes you’ll dread later. If you’re a fan of cozy vibes—think creamy chicken rice casserole—or you love bright, almost tropical twists like easy pineapple chicken and rice, you’re gonna flip for this dish. Promise: no chef hat required.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Let me admit—there are few things I love more than meals where you throw everything into one pan and hope for the best (spoiler: this one always works out). Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is basically a cheat code for anyone who wants dinner to taste like you put in way more effort than you did. The honey BBQ sauce caramelizes and gets all sticky and glossy, which, um, is irresistible. Plus, the rice soaks up every bit of that boldness.

But also, it’s a crowd pleaser. Like, absurdly so. I made it last Sunday and my neighbor walked past my open window, actually backed up, and asked what smelled “like a five-star restaurant but from someone’s grandma.” You can swap up the veggies, use whatever chicken’s around, and even sneak in leftover rice if you need. Don’t even need fancy ingredients.

The kicker? No standing at the stove forever. You dump, stir, and maybe do a little happy dance. That’s it. Mess? Minimal. Flavor? Ridiculous.

Perfect Ingredients

Alright, let’s talk what you need for Honey BBQ Chicken Rice. I’ve tried a million combos (truth). Here’s my go-to line-up:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (pick your favorite, but I vote smoky)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 cups chicken broth (or water, if you’re in a pinch)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup frozen corn (or fresh, if summer’s been good)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (I… usually double this, shh)
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives for a little color (if you’re feeling fancy)

That’s it. Easy, right? Maybe a little extra cheese for topping, maybe not. Totally up to you.

Step-by-Step Instructions

I have this vivid memory of burning rice to the bottom of a pot as a teen and thinking, “I am never responsible enough for one-pan recipes.” Turns out, all you need to do is just, you know, read the steps. Here’s how I make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice foolproof every time:

1. Grab a big non-stick skillet or a deep pan. Splash in a bit of oil, medium heat.
2. Toss in the chicken pieces. Let them get a bit brown on each side. Not cooked through? Don’t stress.
3. Add onions, bell pepper, and garlic. It’ll smell so good you’ll want to eat it now—but hold off.
4. Pour in the rice. Stir and let the rice toast for just a minute.
5. Pour over BBQ sauce, honey, and chicken broth. Scrape up all those good crispy bits.
6. Stir in corn. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Crucial step here: Bring it to a strong simmer, then lower the heat. Cover and let it bubble gently for 20-ish minutes until the rice is cooked.
8. Fluff with a fork. Sprinkle with herbs or cheese if using. I sometimes just eat it from the pan at this point. No shame.

One pan. Whole meal. All done.

Flavor Variations

If you’re anything like me, you can’t leave well enough alone. I mean, sure—Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is fab as written, but it’s also a blank canvas. Sometimes I swap in smoked paprika or a squeeze of lime juice at the end, just to shake things up. Got kids? Sneak shredded carrots or peas in there. They won’t even notice.

You could toss in a bit of crushed pineapple (for a twist kinda like easy pineapple chicken and rice), use spicy BBQ sauce, or even swap out chicken for leftover rotisserie turkey. I went wild and tried it with roasted sweet potatoes once—definitely would recommend. Heck, you can add black beans for some Southwest energy.

Here’s a handy table of swap ideas:

So, tweak away. It’s almost impossible to mess this dish up.

How to Serve BBQ Chicken Fried Rice

This is where I get a little bossy! You worked for that flavor—now show it off. Here’s my not-so-fancy but totally delish serving strategy:

• Heap into deep bowls and sprinkle with sliced green onions or fresh parsley.
• Drizzle with a little extra BBQ sauce if you’re feeling feisty.
• Pair with a cold crunchy salad, maybe something like street corn chicken rice bowl on the side.
• For lunch the next day, wrap leftovers in a tortilla for the best BBQ chicken wrap you’ve ever had.

Once, I even put a fried egg on top. Ten outta ten, would repeat.

“I never thought a rice skillet could taste this bold. Even my picky teenager went back for seconds and asked for it in her lunchbox. Total win in our book!” – Jamie L., Michigan

Common Questions

Q: Can I use brown rice?
A: Yup, but give it more time—maybe 35 minutes. Add a splash more broth if it gets too dry.

Q: Do I have to cook the chicken first?
A: Browning gets bigger flavor, but technically you could dump raw chicken in with everything else as long as you dice small.

Q: Can I make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice ahead?
A: Yes, it reheats pretty well. Add a spoonful of water before microwaving so the rice doesn’t dry out.

Q: What’s the best BBQ sauce for this?
A: Something smoky-sweet, with a little tang. But honestly, whatever’s in your fridge works!

Q: Can I add more veggies?
A: Please do. Zucchini, spinach, even tomatoes. It’s super forgiving.

Go Get Cooking—Dinner is Basically Done

Alright, confession: after writing this, I kinda want to make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice for the third time this week. Don’t judge. If you want to mix things up, try the Honey BBQ Chicken Rice – Gourmet Martha spin for a bit of extra inspiration, check out a one-skillet honey BBQ chicken and rice recipe, or go bold with Easy Japanese BBQ Chicken Fried Rice. Trust me—no matter how you riff on it, you’ll never go wrong with something this easy. Honestly, this recipe is all about big taste, one pan, and zero stress. Just do it. Tell me how it goes!

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

A delicious one-pan meal that combines the sticky, smoky-sweet flavor of BBQ with tender chicken and rice. Perfect for weeknight dinners!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Comfort Food

Servings 4 servings

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (smoky recommended) Choose your favorite BBQ sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 cups chicken broth (or water, if necessary)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup frozen corn (or fresh, if available)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (double for more flavor)
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Grab a big non-stick skillet or a deep pan and splash in a bit of oil over medium heat.
• Add the chicken pieces and let them brown on each side.
• Add chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant.
• Pour in the uncooked rice and let it toast for about a minute.
• Add BBQ sauce, honey, and chicken broth, scraping up any crispy bits from the bottom.
• Stir in corn and season with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a strong simmer, then lower the heat, cover, and let it cook gently for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender.
• Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with herbs or cheese if desired.

Notes

You can easily customize this recipe by adding other vegetables or using different proteins. It’s also great for using up leftovers!

Keyword Comfort Food, Easy Recipe, Honey BBQ Chicken Rice, One Pan Dinner, Weeknight Meal