Honey BBQ Chicken Rice (Sweet, Smoky & Easy One-Pan Dinner)

This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice was born on a night I didn’t feel like cooking. You know those days—tired, hungry, staring into the fridge hoping dinner makes itself. I found some BBQ sauce, half a chicken breast, and leftover rice. Thirty minutes later? Magic.

Now, this Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is one of my most-made meals. It’s sticky, sweet, smoky, and hits every comfort food note without wrecking your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

• Full of flavor: sweet, smoky, tangy
• Fast and easy: 30 minutes, one pan
• Juicy chicken with sticky BBQ glaze
• Great for leftovers or meal prep
• Kid-friendly and customizable

Honestly, my toddlers ask for this Honey BBQ Chicken Rice weekly. That says a lot.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• 500g chicken thighs or breasts, diced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt + black pepper

For the Honey BBQ Sauce:

• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)

For the Rice:

• 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice
• 2 cups water or chicken broth
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt to taste

Toppings (optional):

• Chopped green onion
• Sesame seeds
• Parsley

How to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Step 1: Cook the Rice

Rinse rice until water runs clear.
Add rice, liquid, butter, and salt to a pot.
Bring to boil. Cover and simmer 15 mins.
Let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Season chicken with garlic, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Heat oil in skillet.
Cook chicken 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through.

Step 3: Mix the Sauce

In a bowl, combine BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, and hot sauce.
Taste and adjust.
I usually go heavy on honey for the kids.

Step 4: Combine & Simmer

Pour sauce into skillet with chicken.
Stir to coat.
Simmer 2–3 minutes until glossy and thick.

Step 5: Serve

Scoop rice into bowls.
Top with honey BBQ chicken.
Add toppings if using.
That’s it—Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is ready!

Pro Tips for Best Results

• Use thighs for extra juicy chicken
• Always rest your rice before fluffing
• Add corn, broccoli, or avocado for a rice bowl twist
• Skip hot sauce if making for kids

This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is super flexible. I’ve added pineapple chunks once—it worked!

Simple Variations & Swaps

• Use brown rice or quinoa
• Try rotisserie chicken to save time
• Change up the BBQ sauce (smoky, spicy, or sweet)

The core flavor of Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is forgiving—use what you have.

Storage & Reheating Tips

• Fridge: Store up to 4 days
• Reheat chicken with splash of water
• Rice is best fresh, but reheats nicely

Avoid freezing if possible—it changes texture.

FAQ – Quick Answers

Final Thoughts

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is one of those recipes you keep coming back to. It’s fast, satisfying, and makes your kitchen smell like comfort. Whether it’s a weeknight rush or Sunday dinner, this dish delivers.

Want more cozy bowls?
Try Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl for a smoky-sweet twist.
Love creamy dishes? Check out Creamy Chicken and Rice as a comforting alternative.
Or spice it up with Bang Bang Chicken Bowl for a spicy, saucy kick.

Also helpful:
– How to cook perfectly fluffy rice every time
– The science behind barbecue sauce flavors
– Tips for safe chicken handling and cooking temperatures