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Honey BBQ Chicken Rice

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice features tender chicken thighs simmered in a sticky honey BBQ glaze and served over fluffy white rice. The one-pan method builds smoky flavor in the skillet for a glossy, spoonable finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 720
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
  • 6 boneless chicken thighs Boneless, skinless if possible for quick searing and even cooking.
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 0.25 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 3 cup cooked white rice Use freshly cooked or reheated rice to keep it fluffy.
  • 1 sliced green onions, for garnish Use as a finishing touch and mild onion bite.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Make the honey BBQ glaze
  1. Whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika until smooth.
  2. Taste the glaze and adjust seasoning if needed, then set aside so it’s ready when the chicken finishes searing.
Sear and simmer the chicken
  1. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, then sear chicken thighs until browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  2. Pour the honey BBQ glaze over the chicken, then simmer, turning occasionally, until sticky and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
Serve
  1. Slice or shred the chicken and spoon it over the cooked white rice.
  2. Spoon extra glaze over the top and garnish with sliced green onions, then serve hot.

Notes

Pro tip: baste the chicken frequently with the simmering glaze to build a deeper, glossier coating. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days; reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until hot. Freezing is not ideal for the rice texture, but the chicken and glaze freeze well up to 2 months—thaw and reheat, then serve over freshly reheated rice. For a lower-sugar option, use a sugar-reduced or no-sugar-added BBQ sauce and keep the honey the same for balance.