Description
How to make sticky sweet honey BBQ chicken orzo with tender pasta and caramelized sauce that brings comfort food satisfaction to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Base
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
Honey BBQ Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Seasonings and Finish
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear until golden brown on all sides, about 6-7 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Aromatics: In same skillet, add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make Sauce: Whisk together honey, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika in small bowl. This sauce will be your flavor base.
- Add Orzo: Pour orzo into skillet with onions, stirring to coat. Add chicken broth gradually while stirring, then bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Simmer Together: Return chicken to skillet and pour sauce over everything. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 12-15 minutes until orzo is tender and liquid absorbed.
- Final Touches: Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes if using. Garnish with fresh parsley and green onions before serving warm.
Notes
- Sear chicken well for golden color and better flavor development.
- Stir orzo frequently during cooking to prevent sticking to the pan.
- Store in refrigerator up to 4 days in airtight container.
- Add splash of broth when reheating to restore creamy consistency.
- Double the sauce recipe if you prefer extra sticky coating.
- Let dish rest 5 minutes before serving for best texture.
Allergy Information: Gluten, Soy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Protein: 32g