Description

There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm, saucy chicken dish served over fluffy rice. It brings to mind backyard cookouts, lazy summer evenings, and the kind of satisfying meal that fills not just your stomach but your heart, too. This Honey BBQ Chicken Rice is one of those dishes that manages to blend the bold, smoky sweetness of barbecue with the gentle comfort of homestyle cooking.

I first came across this dish at a neighborhood potluck. One of my friends had brought a big tray of sticky honey BBQ chicken laid over a bed of buttery rice, and let me tell you—it disappeared faster than anything else on the table. Ever since then, I’ve played around with the recipe, tweaking the balance of sweet and savory, until it became something I had to share.

This is the kind of meal you’ll find yourself returning to again and again. Whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner, a meal prep favorite for the week, or a crowd-pleaser for game night, this one has your back.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

500g boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Honey BBQ Sauce:

1/2 cup BBQ sauce

3 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional, for heat lovers)

For the Rice:

1 cup basmati or jasmine rice

2 cups water or chicken broth

1 tablespoon butter

Salt to taste

Optional Garnishes:

Chopped green onions

Sesame seeds

Fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Cook the Rice First

Start by rinsing your rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and gives you fluffy rice instead of sticky clumps. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water (or broth) to a boil, add your rinsed rice, butter, and a pinch of salt. Cover, lower the heat, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff it up with a fork and set it aside.

2. Season and Sear the Chicken

In a bowl, toss your chicken pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear until golden on all sides and fully cooked through—about 6–8 minutes, depending on the size of your pieces.

3. Mix Up the Sauce

While the chicken is cooking, stir together your BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, and hot sauce (if using) in a small bowl. Taste and adjust—if you like it sweeter, add a touch more honey; if you want more heat, go heavier on the hot sauce.

4. Coat the Chicken

Once your chicken is nicely browned, reduce the heat to medium and pour the honey BBQ sauce over the chicken. Stir to coat evenly and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes so everything gets sticky, glossy, and delicious.

5. Serve It Up

Spoon a generous portion of rice into your bowl or plate, pile that sweet and smoky chicken on top, and garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or whatever your heart desires. That’s it—comfort in a bowl.

Notes

You can swap out white rice for brown rice or even quinoa for a more nutritious twist.
Leftover BBQ chicken? It tastes amazing in a sandwich or wrap the next day!