Description
Honey BBQ Chicken Rice brings comfort straight to your dinner table with tender chicken glazed in sweet and tangy sauce nestled over fluffy rice. Perfectly balanced flavors make this quick weeknight meal a family favorite that comes together faster than you can order takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 cups white rice
- 4 cups water
Sauce and Seasoning:
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup bbq sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish and Cooking:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 green onions
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Thoroughly dry 4 chicken breasts with paper towels to ensure marinade sticks perfectly.
- Whisk together ½ cup honey, ¼ cup bbq sauce, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper in a medium bowl.
- Pour marinade over chicken, massaging to coat evenly, and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Heat oven to 375°F, preparing a baking dish for the chicken.
- Arrange marinated chicken pieces in a single layer without touching each other in the baking dish.
- Roast chicken for 25-30 minutes until an instant-read thermometer shows 165°F internal temperature.
- Rinse 2 cups white rice under cold water, gently moving your hand through it until water runs clear.
- Place rinsed rice and 4 cups water in a saucepan, bringing to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to lowest setting, cover pan completely, and let rice simmer for 18-20 minutes.
- Remove chicken from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes, letting juices redistribute.
- Cut chicken into diagonal strips using a sharp knife for clean, even cuts.
- Spread hot rice onto serving plates and arrange chicken strips on top.
- Sprinkle 1 tbsp sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the dish for fresh flavor and crunch.
- Serve piping hot for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry thoroughly to help the marinade stick and create a better caramelized surface.
- Let the chicken marinate at room temperature to ensure even flavor absorption and more consistent cooking.
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety and prevent overcooking.
- For a gluten-free version, swap standard BBQ sauce for a certified gluten-free brand and the marinade will work perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 532 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg