Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Bright, sticky, and full of homey warmth, Honey BBQ Chicken Rice gives you a cozy weeknight meal with very little fuss. Honey BBQ Chicken Rice brings sweet honey and smoky BBQ together over tender chicken and fluffy rice — perfect when you want comfort food fast. If you like simple chicken dinners, you might also enjoy this similar air-fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders recipe for another quick option.

Why Make This Recipe

• Quick & Easy: Ready in about 30–40 minutes from start to finish.
• Family Favorite: Kids and adults love the sweet BBQ glaze and soft rice.
• Budget-Friendly: Uses pantry staples and just one main protein.
• One-Pan Vibes: Mostly cooks in a single skillet or pan for easy cleanup.

This recipe stands out because the honey balances the tang of BBQ sauce, making a glossy, warm sauce that smells like comfort. It feels like a gentle hug at the table — sticky fingers, warm rice, and that smoky-sweet aroma that brings everyone together.

Ingredients

For the chicken and sauce:

• 1.5 lb (about 700 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the rice:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed until water runs clear
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water

For garnish and extras:

• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp butter (optional, for richer rice)
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Notes: Use unsalted butter if you watch salt. If using chicken breasts, cut a little thicker to avoid drying out.

How to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

1. Prep and preheat: Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. (Prepping first keeps cooking smooth.)

• Tip: Dry chicken browns better and gives more flavor.

1. Brown the chicken: Add chicken pieces in a single layer and let them brown for 3–4 minutes without moving, then stir and cook another 2–3 minutes until mostly cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.

• Why it matters: Browning builds flavor and gives texture under the sauce.

1. Make the sauce: Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, add BBQ sauce, honey, and soy sauce. Stir and let it warm until glossy and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

• Tip: Taste and add a pinch of salt or more honey if you like it sweeter.

1. Cook the rice: While making the sauce, bring 2 cups chicken broth to a boil in a small pot. Stir in rinsed rice, cover, and simmer low for 15–18 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is fluffy. Remove from heat and let rest 5 minutes. Stir in butter if using.

• Why it matters: Cooking rice separately keeps it light and prevents the sauce from burning.

1. Combine chicken and sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the glossy sauce. Let the chicken finish cooking in the sauce for 2–3 minutes until fully cooked and sticky.

• Tip: If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it.

1. Plate and finish: Fluff the rice and spoon it into bowls or a serving dish. Top with the sticky Honey BBQ chicken, sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds, and serve warm.

• Why it matters: Serving right away keeps the sauce shiny and the rice warm.

You might also enjoy a crisp, different spin from these air-fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders for another family-friendly dinner idea.

How to Serve Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

• Bowl style: Serve rice in a warm bowl, top with sticky chicken, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds for color and crunch.
• Family platter: Spread rice on a large platter, heap chicken on top, and let people help themselves — great for casual family dinners.
• Side pairings: Serve with steamed broccoli or a simple coleslaw to add a fresh, crisp contrast.

How to Store Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

• Fridge: Cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth, stirring to loosen the sauce. Microwave covered for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway, until heated through.

Tips to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help it brown.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan — cook in batches if needed so each piece gets a little color.
• Rinse rice to remove extra starch for fluffier grains.
• Adjust honey and BBQ sauce to taste — more honey for sweetness, more BBQ for tang.
• Serve immediately for the best shine on the sauce and the fluffiest rice.

Variation

• Gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your BBQ sauce is gluten-free.
• Lighter version: Use chicken breast and reduce oil; finish with a squeeze of lemon for brightness.

FAQ 1: Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes. Thaw frozen chicken fully in the fridge before cooking. Pat dry and proceed with seasoning and browning to get the best texture.

FAQ 2: Can I make this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

You can finish the chicken in a slow cooker with the sauce on low for 1–2 hours, but brown the chicken first for better flavor. For Instant Pot, sauté to brown, add a small amount of liquid, and cook on high pressure for a short time (5–7 minutes depending on pieces), then stir in honey and BBQ sauce at the end.

FAQ 3: How do I keep the rice from getting mushy when mixing with sauce?

Cook rice separately and keep it slightly drier than usual. Add the chicken on top when serving rather than mixing heavily. If you must mix, add a splash of broth to the pan first to loosen sauce and gently fold in rice.

Conclusion

This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice recipe is an easy, warm meal that fits busy nights and relaxed Sundays alike. The sticky honey-BBQ sauce smells smoky and sweet, while the soft rice gives you a comfortable, filling bite every time. If you want a quick reference or a slightly different take, see this Delicious 30-Minute Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe for a fast version. Please leave a comment and a star rating if you tried it, and share this post on Pinterest or Facebook so other families can enjoy it too. What twist did you try? Let us know below!

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

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• Author: chef-ava
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten-Free (if using tamari)

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Description

A quick and easy weeknight meal featuring tender chicken coated in a sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce served over fluffy rice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lb (about 700 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed until water runs clear
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp butter (optional)
• Sesame seeds (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil.
2. Add chicken pieces in a single layer and let them brown for 3–4 minutes without moving, then stir and cook another 2–3 minutes until mostly cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
3. Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, add BBQ sauce, honey, and soy sauce. Stir and let it warm until glossy and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
4. While making the sauce, bring 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil in a small pot. Stir in rinsed rice, cover, and simmer low for 15–18 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is fluffy.
5. Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Let the chicken finish cooking in the sauce for 2–3 minutes until fully cooked.
6. Fluff the rice and spoon it into bowls or a serving dish. Top with Honey BBQ chicken, sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds, and serve warm.

Notes

Use unsalted butter if watching salt. For chicken breasts, cut a little thicker to avoid dryness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: One-Pan Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 56g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 75mg