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Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is a one-pan dinner where golden chicken is simmered in a sweet-smoky honey barbecue sauce, then tossed with fluffy cooked white rice. You’ll get a glossy, lightly thickened sauce coating every bite in about 30 minutes.
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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
  

Main
  • 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
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 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 thighs with kosher salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 6–7 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
Make and simmer the honey BBQ sauce
  1. Whisk together the barbecue sauce, honey, and soy sauce in a small bowl until smooth. Pour the sauce over the chicken and simmer for 3–4 minutes, until glossy and slightly thickened.
Toss with rice
  1. Add the cooked white rice to the skillet and toss until the grains are evenly coated in the sauce. Cook for 1–2 more minutes, until everything is warmed through.
Garnish and serve
  1. Top the skillet with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve right away while the sauce clings to the rice.

Notes

For best results, use hot or room-temperature cooked rice so it warms through quickly without drying out. Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet over medium-low with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Freezing isn’t recommended because the rice texture can soften after thawing. For a gluten-free option, swap soy sauce for tamari.