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Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a one-pan dinner where golden chicken and fluffy cooked rice get coated in a sweet, smoky honey barbecue sauce. The sauce is simmered until glossy and slightly thickened, then everything is tossed just long enough to warm through.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs Cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.75 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Honey BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
Rice and garnish
  • 3 cup cooked white rice
  • 2 green onions Sliced, for garnish.
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds For garnish.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Cook the chicken
  1. Season the chicken with kosher salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 6–7 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
Make and simmer the sauce
  1. Whisk together the barbecue sauce, honey, and soy sauce in a small bowl. Pour the sauce over the chicken and simmer for 3–4 minutes, until glossy and slightly thickened.
Coat the rice
  1. Add the cooked white rice to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Cook for 1–2 more minutes, until everything is warmed through.
Finish and serve
  1. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

For best sauce cling, use freshly cooked (or reheated) rice that isn’t watery, and toss until you can see the grains turning glossy. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or extra barbecue sauce. Freezing is not recommended because the rice texture can soften after thawing. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce.