One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice — Easy Supper Idea for Busy Nights

Name: One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice — Easy Supper Idea for Busy Nights
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken (thighs or breasts); 1 cup long-grain rice; 2 cups chicken broth; ½ cup barbecue sauce (your favorite kind); ¼ cup honey; 1 cup mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen); 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; ½ tsp smoked paprika; Salt and black pepper, to taste

Posted on February 19, 2026

A mouthwatering Easy Supper Idea: overhead shot of One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice — glazed chicken pieces on a bed of fluffy rice with colorful mixed vegetables and a sprinkle of green onions.

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If you need an Easy Supper Idea, this One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is the fast, flavor-packed weeknight winner you’ve been waiting for. Tender chicken glazed in sweet-and-smoky sauce, rice cooked right in the same pan, and a handful of veggies — done in about 40 minutes and with hardly any cleanup. What’s not to love?

Why this recipe works (and why you’ll reach for it again)

Busy evening? Back-to-back activities? Want something tasty without turning your kitchen into a disaster zone? This dish hits all the marks.

It’s a true Simple Meal With Rice — everything cooks together, so timing is forgiving and cleanup is tiny.
The honey-plus-BBQ combo creates an addictive glaze that clings to the chicken and soaks into the rice. That’s the essence of a great Chicken And Rice Sauce Idea.
It scales easily for a Dinner For A Family Of 6 — double or triple the ingredients and you’re still using one pan.
Balanced and filling: protein, carbs, and veggies — a complete Dinner Over Rice that feels homey and substantial.

Want comfort food that’s also efficient? This is it. FYI: it’s great for meal prep too.

The Key Ingredients (and Why You Need Them)

Below I list the primary components (no amounts here — the printable recipe card has those). I’ll explain what each one does so you can swap smartly.

Chicken (thighs or breasts) — Thighs bring juiciness and forgiving texture; breasts cook lean and quick. Either works, but thighs are more forgiving if your timing wanders.
Long-grain rice — Holds up well when simmered with liquid. It keeps texture instead of getting gluey.
Chicken broth — Adds savory depth and helps the rice cook perfectly. Water will work, but broth adds flavor.
BBQ sauce + honey — The heart of the flavor. BBQ sauce gives the smoky, tangy backbone; honey balances it with sweet gloss. That combo is the basis of a brilliant Dinner Yummy moment.
Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika — These seasonings build the savory profile and give a subtle smoky backdrop that complements the BBQ.
Mixed vegetables — Adds color, nutrition, and texture. Frozen blends are convenient and steam right in near the end.
Green onions or parsley — A light fresh finish that brightens the dish and cuts the sweetness.
Optional add-ins — Crushed red pepper for heat, a squeeze of lime for brightness, or a splash of soy for extra umami.

How to Make It

Sear the chicken. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sear until golden on both sides — about 4–5 minutes per side for thighs, a touch less for breasts. You want color, not a full cook-through.
Mix the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk your BBQ sauce and honey until smooth. If your BBQ is very thick, add a tablespoon of water or broth to loosen it.
Add rice and broth. Scatter the rice in the skillet and pour in the chicken broth. Nestle the seared chicken back in, spoon a little sauce over each piece, and stir gently so the rice is evenly distributed.
Simmer, covered. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed — about 18–22 minutes, depending on rice type.
Add vegetables. In the last 5 minutes, top with mixed vegetables and cover again so they steam through.
Rest and finish. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice, spoon additional sauce if desired, and garnish with green onions or parsley.

Quick note: If you prefer a thicker glaze, remove the chicken, reduce the skillet liquid for a minute or two, then return the chicken to coat.

Pro tips for perfect results

Sear for flavor. Browning is not optional — it gives the chicken a deep, caramelized flavor that the sauce plays off.
Use warm broth. Adding hot broth keeps the simmer steady and prevents the pan from cooling too much.
Adjust sweetness consciously. If your BBQ sauce is already sweet, cut the honey a little to avoid cloying results.
Watch the rice. If it looks dry before the time’s up, add a few tablespoons of hot broth. If it’s still soupy, increase the heat, remove the lid, and let it reduce for a minute or two.
Rest is worth it. Letting the skillet sit off the heat for 5 minutes helps liquids redistribute and makes the rice fluffier. Big difference.

Bold tip: If you want dinner that reheats like a dream, slightly undercook the rice by 1–2 minutes — it will finish cooking when reheated and avoid mushy leftovers.

Variations to try

Spicy honey BBQ: Stir in a chopped jalapeño or a teaspoon of hot sauce for a kick.
Teriyaki twist: Swap BBQ for teriyaki and honey for brown sugar — instant Asian-inspired take.
Veg-forward: Double the veggies and use tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian Supper Idea Rice that still satisfies.
Citrus lift: Add orange zest to the glaze and finish with a lime squeeze for bright contrast.
Oven-finished: Sear the chicken, assemble in an ovenproof skillet, and bake covered at 375°F until rice is tender — great if you prefer an oven approach.

Best ways to serve (make it a meal)

Want to elevate this into a real spread? Try one of these:

Family-style: Serve straight from the pan for an easy Dinner For A Family Of 6. People love scooping from the skillet.
Individual bowls: Spoon rice, top with sliced chicken, and drizzle extra glaze. Perfect for picky eaters.
With a fresh salad: A crisp side salad or coleslaw balances the sweet glaze.
Creamy contrast: Sliced avocado adds richness and soothes the palate — perfect if the sauce leans spicy.
Starch swap: For lower-carb, serve over cauliflower rice or a bed of sautéed greens.

Want to impress guests? Add a simple charred corn salsa on top for texture and brightness.

Quick tips for storage & leftovers

Fridge: Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze components separately if possible (chicken/glaze and rice) in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Microwave in short bursts, stirring between, or rewarm gently on the stove with a splash of broth to prevent sticking. If you want that just-made shine, reheat and then add a quick drizzle of fresh BBQ sauce and honey.
Meal prep: Divide into containers with a wedge of lime and a small side of fresh herbs for grab-and-go lunches.

Pro tip: Leftovers taste even better the second day after flavors meld — not a bad problem to have.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Undercooking or overcooking the chicken. Sear for color and finish the cook while the rice simmers — don’t overdo the initial sear.
Wrong rice choice. Short-grain rice can turn sticky; stick with long-grain for the best texture.
Too-sweet glaze. Taste the BBQ sauce before adding honey; many store-bought sauces are already sweet. Adjust honey accordingly.
Skipping the rest. I can’t stress this enough: rest the pan for a few minutes before fluffing. It matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes. Breasts cook faster, so watch them closely and consider slicing into thinner cutlets to match rice timing.

Is this suitable for picky eaters?

Absolutely. You can keep the sauce mild, remove visible veggies, or serve the sauce on the side. It’s a great Inexpensive Dinner Idea Families actually prefer.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Most BBQ sauces contain gluten, so check labels or choose a certified gluten-free sauce. Use gluten-free broth and you’re set.

How can I make this less heavy on the stomach?

Use less honey and a lighter BBQ sauce, skip high-fat add-ins, and choose chicken breasts. This becomes a Dinner Recipe Easy On Stomach and still delicious.

What’s the best way to double the recipe for a larger crowd?

Use a bigger skillet or two pans to maintain even cooking. If you’re feeding a Dinner For A Family Of 6, you can usually scale by 1.5–2x without changing cooking times much.

Final thoughts — why this one-pan meal belongs in your weeknight rotation

Look, we all need dinners that feel like effort but aren’t. This One-Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is exactly that: bold flavor, simple technique, and small cleanup. It’s a true Dinner Over Rice classic reimagined with a sweet-and-smoky glaze that hits home every time.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or cooking solo, the method is forgiving and the results are reliably Dinner Yummy. IMO, it’s a weeknight hero for good reason: satisfying, flexible, and so easy to make. Need to keep it gentle on the stomach? Tweak the sweetness and swap in leaner cuts. Need to serve six? Scale up and call it a win.

So, ready to make one pan do the heavy lifting tonight? Grab your skillet, warm the broth, and get ready for a delicious, no-fuss meal that your family will actually thank you for.

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