Description
A quick and comforting honey BBQ chicken rice recipe that balances sweet and smoky flavors with tender chicken and fluffy rice, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1/4 cup (85g) honey
- 1/2 cup (120ml) smoky, slightly sweet BBQ sauce
- 1 cup (190g) uncooked jasmine or basmati rice
- 1 1/2 cups (360ml) chicken broth, low sodium
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced (about 20g), optional
- Optional add-ins: red pepper flakes, lime juice
Instructions
- Rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until it runs clear to remove excess starch.
- In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed rice and 1 1/2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 15 minutes without peeking.
- Remove from heat and let rice rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
- While rice cooks, slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in a single layer without crowding the pan.
- Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes without moving to get a golden crust, then flip and cook another 3 minutes until cooked through.
- Add minced garlic during the last minute of cooking, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in 1/2 cup BBQ sauce and 1/4 cup honey into the pan with chicken. Stir well to coat all pieces.
- Let sauce bubble gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens and caramelizes slightly.
- Remove from heat and serve honey BBQ chicken hot over the fluffy rice.
- Sprinkle sliced green onions on top for a fresh pop of flavor and color.
Notes
Rinsing the rice helps prevent clumping and results in fluffier grains. Use medium-high heat to sear chicken for a golden crust. Add garlic last to avoid burning. Adjust honey and BBQ sauce ratios to taste. Optional add-ins like red pepper flakes or lime juice can add heat or brightness. Leftovers reheat well but freezing is not recommended due to rice texture changes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Protein: 38
Keywords: honey BBQ chicken, chicken rice recipe, easy weeknight dinner, quick chicken recipe, BBQ chicken, honey sauce, family-friendly dinner