Description
How to make smoky BBQ chicken and cheddar rice with tender chicken, creamy cheese, and bold flavors that satisfy every comfort food craving perfectly.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Base
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
BBQ Flavor Builders
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, divided
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp liquid smoke
- 1 tsp brown sugar
Seasonings and Cheese
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Let sit for 10 minutes to absorb flavors while you prep other ingredients.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken pieces until golden brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
- Build Base: In same skillet, sauté onions until softened and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
- Add Rice: Stir in rice, coating with the onion mixture for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, half the BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil.
- Combine Everything: Return chicken to skillet, nestling pieces into rice mixture. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
- Add Cheese: Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes covered. Sprinkle cheese over top, drizzle remaining BBQ sauce, and let cheese melt before serving with green onions.
Notes
- Don’t skip the resting time after cooking – it makes the rice perfectly fluffy and tender.
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days for best quality.
- Freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded for creamiest results.
- Adjust liquid smoke carefully as a little goes a long way in flavor.
- Double the recipe easily for larger families or meal prep portions.
- Add frozen vegetables in the last 5 minutes for extra nutrition and color.
Allergy Information: Dairy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Protein: 32g