Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice: Cozy Comfort in One Pan
Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice is a cozy, comforting one-pan wonder that’s perfect for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting that perfect crispy chicken skin and tender rice every time. The honey BBQ sauce is so flavorful and addictive, you’ll want to lick the pan clean. Speaking of pans, I highly recommend using a well-seasoned cast iron skillet for this recipe. It helps to achieve that perfect crispy texture. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card below. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Spiced Peach Bread and Raspberry Lemon Cookies.
Why This Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice: Cozy Comfort in One Pan Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy chicken skin with tender meat
- Tangy and sweet homemade BBQ sauce
- One-pan easy cleanup
- Comforting and satisfying family dinner
What You'll Need for Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice: Cozy Comfort in One Pan
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Long grain white rice
- Honey
- Ketchup
- Apple cider vinegar
- Garlic
- Onion
- Chicken broth
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Dried thyme
- Dried oregano
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Parsley
- Optional: Cheddar cheese
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Chicken thighs: Bone-in, skin-on thighs can also be used. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Achieves perfect crispy texture → See on Amazon
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to safe temperature → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice: Cozy Comfort in One Pan
- Step 1: Season chicken thighs with paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until crispy and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side.
- Step 2: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until softened. Stir in rice, chicken broth, thyme, oregano, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: While rice is cooking, whisk together honey, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt to make the BBQ sauce. Place chicken back into the skillet, pour sauce over the top, and spoon some of the rice mixture onto each piece of chicken. Cover and let cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice: Cozy Comfort in One Pan
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure crispy skin.
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of chicken broth after removing the chicken in step 1. Scrape up any browned bits and incorporate them into the sauce.
- Pro tip: To make this recipe ahead, prepare the chicken and rice separately, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice: Cozy Comfort in One Pan
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days Make-ahead tip: Prepare the chicken and rice separately up to 1 day ahead, then combine and reheat when ready to serve
Freezing Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice: Cozy Comfort in One Pan
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, then stir and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the BBQ sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the thighs if desired. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and rice separately up to 1 day ahead, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the rice is not tender after 15 minutes, add a little more chicken broth and continue cooking until tender.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality chicken broth — Enhances the flavor of the rice and sauce → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice: Cozy Comfort in One Pan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Long grain white rice
- Honey
- Ketchup
- Apple cider vinegar
- Garlic
- Onion
- Chicken broth
Seasonings
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Dried thyme
- Dried oregano
Optional Toppings
- Green onions
- Parsley
- Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken thighs with paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until crispy and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side.
- Step 2: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until softened. Stir in rice, chicken broth, thyme, oregano, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: While rice is cooking, whisk together honey, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt to make the BBQ sauce. Place chicken back into the skillet, pour sauce over the top, and spoon some of the rice mixture onto each piece of chicken. Cover and let cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the BBQ sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the thighs if desired. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and rice separately up to 1 day ahead, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the rice is not tender after 15 minutes, add a little more chicken broth and continue cooking until tender.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, then stir and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes
- Make ahead: Prepare the chicken and rice separately up to 1 day ahead, then combine and reheat when ready to serve
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice: Cozy Comfort in One Pan FAQs
Yes, you can bake the chicken and rice together in a greased baking dish at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken and rice. Make sure to cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F and the rice to al dente.
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and rice separately up to 1 day ahead, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, then stir and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice: Cozy Comfort in One Pan and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
