Description
How to make creamy bold smoky honey buffalo chicken and rice with tender chicken, aromatic spices, and honey that creates comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 3 cups chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 cup heavy cream
Flavor Builders
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Toppings
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder. Let sit for 10 minutes while you prep other ingredients for best flavor absorption.
- Sauté Base: Heat butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook 4-5 minutes until softened and golden. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown Chicken: Add seasoned chicken pieces to skillet and cook 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown on all sides. Don’t worry about cooking through completely at this stage.
- Add Liquids: Stir in buffalo sauce and honey, then add uncooked rice, chicken broth, and cayenne pepper. Bring mixture to a rolling boil, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer Rice: Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Resist lifting the lid or you’ll lose steam.
- Finish Creamy: Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream until well combined. Let stand covered 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cream to warm through completely.
- Serve Hot: Fluff rice gently with fork, taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Garnish with chopped green onions and fresh parsley before serving while still warm and creamy.
Notes
- Don’t lift the lid while rice simmers or you’ll release essential steam needed for proper cooking.
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days for best quality and safety.
- Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream if you prefer a lighter version with less richness.
- Adjust cayenne pepper and buffalo sauce amounts based on your family’s heat tolerance preferences.
- Let chicken rest after seasoning for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Add cream off the heat to prevent curdling and maintain smooth, velvety texture throughout.
Allergy Information: Dairy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 35g