Description
A delicious and quick one-skillet honey BBQ chicken and rice recipe that’s perfect for a comforting family dinner. Tender chicken pieces are cooked with aromatic onions and garlic, then simmered with rice in a flavorful combination of BBQ sauce, honey, and smoked paprika. Finished with sweet corn and optional melted cheddar cheese, this easy stovetop meal is packed with flavor and ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup frozen corn
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Chopped green onions or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook for 4–5 minutes until they are lightly browned on all sides.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Add rice and liquids: Stir in the long-grain white rice, chicken broth, BBQ sauce, honey, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well to combine.
- Simmer the mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
- Add corn: Stir in the frozen corn and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until the corn is heated through.
- Melt cheese (optional): If using shredded cheddar cheese, sprinkle it evenly over the top of the skillet. Cover and let the cheese melt for about 2 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Finish by garnishing with chopped green onions or parsley. Serve the dish warm and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute brown rice for white rice, but increase the chicken broth slightly and simmer for 35–40 minutes until the rice is cooked through.
- This dish works well with leftover rotisserie chicken—simply stir in cooked chicken along with the corn to season and heat through.
- Using gluten-free BBQ sauce makes this recipe gluten-free; ensure all other ingredients are compliant if dietary needs apply.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
