I make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice when I want a delicious, easy meal that balances sweet, tangy BBQ flavors with tender chicken and fluffy rice. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Why I’ll Love This Recipe
What I love about this dish is how simple it is to prepare, yet how flavorful and satisfying it turns out. The honey adds a natural sweetness that complements the smoky BBQ sauce, and pairing it with rice makes it filling and comforting.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
• boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• cooked white or brown rice
• BBQ sauce
• honey
• olive oil
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• salt and pepper
• green onions or fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
directions
I season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Then, I heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until it’s golden and cooked through. I mix honey with BBQ sauce and brush it over the chicken, letting it caramelize slightly in the pan. While the chicken cooks, I prepare or reheat rice. Once the chicken is ready, I slice it and serve it over a bed of rice, drizzling any extra sauce from the pan on top. I finish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions or parsley for freshness.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves about 4 people. Prep and cooking together take about 25–30 minutes.
Variations
I sometimes add sautéed bell peppers or corn to the rice for added texture and color. Using smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne adds a smoky or spicy kick. For a tangier twist, I swap regular BBQ sauce for a vinegar-based version.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm the chicken and rice in the microwave or on the stove, adding a splash of water to keep the rice moist.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, just thaw fully before cooking.
What type of rice do you recommend?
I prefer jasmine or long-grain white rice for its fluffy texture.
Can I make this dish in an oven?
I usually cook the chicken on the stovetop for better caramelization, but baking works if you baste the chicken with the sauce.
How sweet is the honey BBQ sauce?
It has a balanced sweetness from the honey with the tang of BBQ sauce; you can adjust honey amount to taste.
Can I meal prep this recipe?
Definitely! It keeps well in the fridge and reheats nicely for quick lunches or dinners.
Conclusion
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is one of my favorite quick, tasty meals that combines sweet, tangy flavors with tender chicken and comforting rice. It’s perfect for busy days when I want something delicious without a lot of effort.
PrintHoney BBQ Chicken Rice
A sweet and tangy honey BBQ chicken served over fluffy rice, combining smoky barbecue flavors with tender chicken for an easy and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: chopped green onions or fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes per side.
- Mix honey and BBQ sauce together.
- Brush honey BBQ sauce over chicken and let caramelize slightly in the pan, about 2–3 minutes.
- Prepare or reheat rice while chicken cooks.
- Slice chicken and serve over a bed of rice.
- Drizzle any extra sauce from the pan on top.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Add sautéed bell peppers or corn to rice for extra texture and color.
- Use smoked paprika or cayenne for smoky or spicy variations.
- Swap regular BBQ sauce for vinegar-based sauce for a tangier twist.
- Adjust honey amount to control sweetness.
- Great for meal prep and reheats well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg