Description
Whip up a Quick Easy Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Dinner! This simple, flavorful meal comes together fast for those busy nights. Pure comfort food!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Players:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Honey BBQ Sauce Essentials:
- 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Garnish Goodies:
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken:: First things first, let’s get that chicken ready for our Quick Easy Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Dinner! Pat your boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This step is super important, honestly, because it helps them get a beautiful sear. Then, give them a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Don’t be shy! I always forget to season enough, and then I’m kicking myself later. You want that seasoning to really penetrate the meat. Sometimes I even give them a little rubdown, imagining all the deliciousness to come.
- Sear the Chicken:: Grab a large skillet, one that can handle a bit of heat, and warm a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high. Once it’s shimmering (you’ll see it, it’s a good sign!), carefully place the chicken thighs in the pan. Don’t overcrowd! If your pan isn’t big enough, do this in batches. Let them sear for about 4-5 minutes per side until they’re beautifully golden brown and crispy. This step creates so much flavor, and the smell? Oh, it’s just amazing. I once tried to rush this and ended up with sad, pale chicken. Learn from my mistakes!
- Whip Up the Honey BBQ Sauce:: While your chicken is searing, let’s make that glorious sauce for our Quick Easy Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Dinner. In a small bowl, whisk together your favorite BBQ sauce, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and apple cider vinegar. Give it a good stir until everything is perfectly combined. Taste it! Does it need more honey? A little more tang? This is your sauce, make it sing! I always add a little extra smoked paprika because I just love that depth of flavor.
- Glaze and Simmer:: Once your chicken is beautifully seared, pour that luscious honey BBQ sauce right over the top. Make sure each piece is coated! Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently for about 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened nicely. This is where the magic happens, and the chicken gets all tender and absorbs those incredible flavors. I love how the kitchen starts to smell absolutely divine during this step!
- Cook the Rice:: While the chicken is simmering, get your rice going. In a medium saucepan, combine your long-grain white rice and chicken broth. Bring it to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15-18 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is fluffy. Resist the urge to peek! That trapped steam is crucial for perfectly cooked rice. I once lifted the lid too early, and my rice was a sticky, undercooked mess. Oops!
- Serve and Garnish:: Fluff your cooked rice with a fork. Divide the rice among plates, then top with those incredibly tender, saucy Quick Easy Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Dinner pieces. Drizzle any extra sauce from the skillet over everything. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro. It adds such a vibrant pop of color and freshness. Stand back and admire your handiwork! It looks so inviting, smells incredible, and honestly, tastes even better.