Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet Recipe Sweet, Smoky & Easy

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet Recipe? Absolutely it’s sweet, smoky, and one of my favorite easy dinner recipes for families. My mom never had much time, but she made meals that felt like love. She taught me that a good dish could be simple, hearty, and full of care.

Now I make this high protein dinner recipe a skillet of honey BBQ chicken and rice and feel her at my table every time.

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet Recipe Sweet, Smoky, One-Pan Comfort

• This is my weeknight hero when the day runs long and my patience runs short.
• My mom didn’t cook fancy, but her meals always made us feel seen.
• Now I do the same just one skillet, a little honey, BBQ sauce, and heart.

The Ingredients for My Honey BBQ Chicken Dinner

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups chicken broth, preferably low-sodium
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (mesquite flavor recommended for extra smokiness)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh peas, carrots, corn, and bell peppers work well)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil, divided

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

Garnish (Optional)

• 2–3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Extra drizzle of BBQ sauce

Stuffani’s Comfort
This recipe is my weeknight reset button. It’s sweet enough to keep my kids at the table, smoky enough to make my husband go back for seconds, and easy enough for me to breathe while it simmers. It’s one of my go-to healthy family dinner recipes that doesn’t skimp on flavor or warmth.

Instructions for a Skillet Dinner That Stays With You

Step 1: Sear the chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with half the spice mix, then sear 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate.

Stuffani’s tip: Don’t rush the sear. That’s where your smoky BBQ flavor starts.

Step 2: Toast the rice
Add remaining oil, then stir rice with the rest of the spices for 1–2 minutes until toasty.

Kitchen truth: This little step turns plain rice into magic. My mom called it “flavor insurance.”

Step 3: Bring it together
Pour in broth, honey, and BBQ sauce. Stir, scraping up the browned bits. Return chicken to the skillet. Cover and cook on low 15 minutes.

Stuffani’s whisper: This is where the smell starts pulling people into the kitchen.

Step 4: Add the veggies
Lift the lid quickly, sprinkle veggies over the top, cover, and cook 5 minutes more until tender.

Stuffani’s advice: Frozen works fine here no judgment, no extra dishes.

Step 5: Rest and serve
Turn off the heat, keep covered 5 minutes, then fluff rice. Garnish if you like.

Stuffani’s smile: My mom always said, “If you’re proud of it, serve it from the pan.” And I do just like with my Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Over Creamy Rice when I want extra comfort.

Ways to Make It Yours, One Sweet & Smoky Skillet at a Time

• Some nights I measure every ingredient like I’m protecting a family secret.
• Other nights, I eyeball the honey, toss in extra BBQ, and let the skillet decide when it’s done.

Real swaps, from your fridge not the store

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet Recipe :

• No chicken thighs? Breasts work, just cut them small so they cook as fast as the rice.
• No mixed vegetables? Empty that half-bag of frozen peas and carrots you’ve been ignoring.
• Out of honey? Maple syrup will give a warm sweetness that plays nice with the BBQ.
• Want another budget-friendly chicken dinner? My Easy Jalapeno Peach Chicken Recipe has the same sweet-savory kick, but with a fruity twist.

Stuffani’s whisper: The best dinners I’ve made were born out of “what’s left in the fridge” panic. This skillet thrives on improvisation.

Easy touches that make it feel like you

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet:

• Sprinkle cheddar over the top in the last two minutes for gooey pockets of cheese.
• Swap rice for quinoa to give it a nutty texture and a protein boost.
• Add roasted bell peppers for a smoky layer without changing the base recipe.
• For another skillet chicken and rice dinner worth repeating, try my Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice silky sauce, tender chicken, no stress.

Stuffani’s advice: My mom never made the same skillet meal twice. She’d add a pinch of this, swap out that and suddenly it felt like a new recipe. That’s the magic you can bring to this dish.

Serving and Storing Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet

• This is the skillet meal that shows up when I need warmth on the table fast.
• Busy Tuesday. Surprise guests. Or just me craving smoky-sweet comfort.

How to serve Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet Recipe :

• Serve right from the skillet for easy weeknight charm, or plate it like a special occasion.
• Spoon over buttery mashed potatoes, fluffy quinoa, or roasted sweet potatoes for extra comfort.
• Add garlic bread or cornbread to catch every last drop of sauce non-negotiable in my kitchen.
• Want another healthy family dinner recipe with a twist? My Honey Lime Chicken and Avocado Rice Stack layers fresh and zesty flavors over hearty rice.

Stuffani’s Note: I’ve set this skillet in the middle of the table with nothing but spoons and laughter, and I’ve served it on my best plates when company came. Both times, it felt exactly right.

How to store it the right way (and still love it later)

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet Recipe :

• Cool completely before storing steam is the enemy of perfect rice.
• Use an airtight container or wrap tightly in foil.
• Refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to keep it moist.
• Craving more budget-friendly chicken dinners? My Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Over Creamy Rice reheats beautifully and tastes like you made it fresh.

Stuffani’s Whisper: I’ve been known to hide a serving in the back of the fridge. Not because I’m selfish because some dinners deserve a quiet moment all to yourself.

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FAQ BBQ chicken rice skillet

conclusion honey BBQ chicken and rice

• This BBQ chicken rice skillet isn’t just dinner it’s comfort in one pan.
• Sweet, smoky, and ready when life feels too busy.
• One skillet. Big flavor. Quick skillet meal for families that keeps them coming back for more.

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet Recipe Sweet, Smoky & Easy

• Author: Stuffani Borjat
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Skillet
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Skillet Recipe that’s sweet, smoky, and ready in 30 minutes. The perfect quick skillet meal for families.

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Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained

2 cups chicken broth, preferably low-sodium

1/2 cup BBQ sauce (mesquite flavor recommended for extra smokiness)

1/4 cup honey

1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, bell peppers)

2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil, divided

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

2-3 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Extra drizzle of BBQ sauce (optional)

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Instructions

1. If using chicken breasts, cut them into bite-sized pieces. Mix garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rinse rice until water runs clear and drain well.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle half the seasoning on chicken, then sear 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate.

3. Add remaining oil to the skillet. Stir in rice and the rest of the seasoning. Toast 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly translucent.

4. Pour in chicken broth, BBQ sauce, and honey. Stir to combine, scraping up browned bits from the skillet. Return chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer on low 15 minutes.

5. Quickly lift lid, add vegetables over the top, cover, and cook 5 more minutes until rice is tender and vegetables are heated through.

6. Turn off heat, keep covered 5 minutes, then fluff rice with a fork. Garnish with green onions, parsley, and extra BBQ sauce if desired.

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Notes

You can use chicken breasts or thighs thighs stay juicier.

For extra heat, add chili flakes or diced jalapeños with the vegetables.

This dish reheats well in a skillet over low heat.

Pairs perfectly with a side salad or cornbread.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 680mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: honey bbq chicken rice skillet recipe, quick skillet meals, healthy family dinner recipes, high protein dinner recipes