Homestyle Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet (Print Version)

Homestyle Honey BBQ Chicken Rice skillet brings comfort to your table. Sweet and savory, it's a family favorite, perfect for busy evenings.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4-6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Chicken, Gluten (if not GF soy sauce), Dairy (optional cheese/sour cream)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Players

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
04 - 2 cups chicken broth

→ Flavor Foundation

05 - 1 small onion, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 bell pepper (any color), diced

→ The Honey BBQ Sauce Crew

08 - 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
09 - 2 tbsp honey

→ Finishing Touches

10 - 1/2 cup frozen peas
11 - Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish, optional)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let’s get that chicken ready for our Honey BBQ Chicken Rice. Dice your boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. Don't worry too much about perfection here; we’re going for rustic, remember? Then, chop up your onion, mince that garlic (the more the merrier, honestly!), and dice your bell pepper. I usually get all my chopping done first, because I always forget something if I don't. It's like a pre-flight checklist for my kitchen!
02 - Heat a large, oven-safe skillet (with a lid!) over medium-high heat with a little oil. Once it's shimmering, toss in your diced chicken. Brown it up nicely on all sides, but don't worry about cooking it through just yet. We’re building flavor, folks! Remove the chicken and set it aside. Now, into that same skillet, add your chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté them until they start to soften, about 5-7 minutes. This is where your kitchen starts to smell amazing, a real preview of the Honey BBQ Chicken Rice to come.
03 - Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the softened veggies and cook for just another minute until fragrant. Don't let it burn, that's a mistake I've made too many times! Next, stir in your rice, coating it in the oil and veggie goodness. Pour in the chicken broth, then add your favorite BBQ sauce and a generous drizzle of honey. Give it a good stir to combine everything. This is the heart of our Honey BBQ Chicken Rice, so make sure it's all mixed up beautifully!
04 - Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then nestle your browned chicken pieces back into the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet tightly with its lid, and let it simmer for about 18-20 minutes. Resist the urge to peek! Seriously, I know it's hard, but lifting the lid lets out all that precious steam the rice needs to cook perfectly. You want fluffy rice for this Honey BBQ Chicken Rice, not crunchy bits.
05 - Once the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, turn off the heat. Stir in the frozen peas. The residual heat will warm them up nicely without overcooking them. If you like, a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro adds a lovely pop of color and freshness. Give it a gentle fluff with a fork. It should look vibrant and inviting, ready for you to dig into this amazing Honey BBQ Chicken Rice.
06 - Let the Honey BBQ Chicken Rice rest, covered, for another 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the rice to fully absorb any remaining moisture. Spoon generous portions into bowls. Sometimes I add a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded cheddar—totally optional, but so good! Enjoy your homemade Honey BBQ Chicken Rice; it's a dish that always brings a smile to my face.

# Notes:

01 - Always use a tight-fitting lid for the rice; it makes all the difference for fluffy grains.
02 - Don't stir the rice too much while it's simmering; you'll activate starches and make it gummy.
03 - Taste your BBQ sauce before adding honey – some are sweeter than others, so adjust to your liking.
04 - Leftover Honey BBQ Chicken Rice makes killer stuffed bell peppers the next day, trust me on this one.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet with lid
02 - measuring cups/spoons
03 - cutting board
04 - knife
05 - whisk

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450-550
Total Fat: 15-20g
Total Carbohydrate: 50-60g
Protein: 30-40g