Description
A flavorful one-pot dinner combining sticky, sweet honey with tangy, smoky barbecue sauce and tender chicken thighs over fluffy long-grain rice. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Long grain white rice (Jasmine or Basmati)
- Barbecue sauce (tangy variety)
- Honey
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Yellow onion, chopped
- Fresh garlic cloves, minced
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds, toasted (optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- Brown chicken thighs in a single layer for 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add uncooked rice to the pot and stir constantly for 2 minutes to toast.
- Pour in chicken broth, BBQ sauce, and honey. Stir well to combine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
- Return chicken thighs to the pot, placing them on top of the rice. Do not stir.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 20-25 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Turn off heat and let the pot sit covered for 5-10 minutes to rest.
- Fluff rice with a fork, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, and serve.
Notes
Ensure chicken is patted dry before seasoning for better browning. Do not lift the lid during simmering to maintain steam. If using chicken breasts, reduce cooking time by 5 minutes. For spicy version, add jalapeños or red pepper flakes. Leftovers store well for 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate with chicken
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: one pot meal, honey BBQ chicken, chicken rice, easy dinner, weeknight meals, comfort food, gluten-free option