Oven baked honey BBQ chicken rice is a true one pan dinner: chicken thighs, rice, and a sweet and smoky sauce all cook together in the oven while you do something else. The rice soaks up the chicken juices and the honey BBQ glaze as it bakes, so every bite is flavorful. There is no stirring, no separate pot, and cleanup is quick.
The sauce uses pantry staples: honey, barbecue sauce, a splash of soy sauce, and a little garlic and onion powder. The sweet flavor appeals to kids and adults, which makes this a reliable family dinner.
Table of Contents
Why This Oven Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Rice Recipe Works
Chicken thighs stay juicy during a long bake, and the rice cooks in hot broth under a tight cover, so it turns out tender instead of dry. Because the sauce already has liquid in it, the recipe uses a little less broth than a plain baked rice dish would need.
Honey and barbecue sauce caramelize slightly on the chicken, while soy sauce adds savory depth that keeps the sweetness in check.
Ingredients for Oven Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth, hot
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt, plus pepper to taste
- sliced green onions or parsley, for garnish
How to Make Oven Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
1. Heat the oven
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat the chicken broth until it is steaming hot.
2. Mix the sauce
In a bowl, stir together the honey, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the rice
Put the rice in a large oven safe skillet or baking dish and pour in the hot broth. Stir gently so the rice sits in an even layer.
4. Add the chicken
Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper and place it on top of the rice. Pour the sauce over the chicken so it is evenly coated.
5. Bake
Cover tightly with a lid or foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
6. Rest and fluff
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes, then fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with green onions or parsley.
How to Serve Oven Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Serve the chicken and rice hot, straight from the pan, with steamed broccoli or a crisp salad on the side. If you enjoy the sweet and smoky flavors, try the one pan bold honey BBQ chicken rice as another take on the idea. For a hands off option, easy crockpot BBQ chicken works well over rice, and Italian dressing BBQ chicken is a tangy variation. For a spicy rice dish, see Cajun chicken and rice.
How to Store and Reheat Oven Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking and eat them within 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of chicken broth, stirring occasionally, until the chicken and rice are hot all the way through (165 degrees F). Cooked rice should not sit at room temperature for long, so cool and refrigerate it promptly.
Tips and Variations for Oven Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Taste your barbecue sauce before using it. Some brands are very sweet and others are salty, so you may want to adjust the honey. Keep the foil tight, because steam is what cooks the rice.
Use a thermometer to check the chicken. The FDA safe food handling guide lists 165 degrees F as the safe internal temperature for poultry and for reheated leftovers.
For variations, add a handful of frozen peas for the last few minutes, sprinkle on smoked paprika, or squeeze a little lime over the finished plate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oven Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Can I use chicken breasts in oven baked honey BBQ chicken rice?
Thighs are best because they stay juicy during the bake. Breasts can dry out, so check the temperature early if you use them.
Can I use brown rice in oven baked honey BBQ chicken rice?
White rice is recommended. Brown rice needs more liquid and time, so the recipe would need changes.
How do I make oven baked honey BBQ chicken rice less sweet?
Use less honey and choose a tangy barbecue sauce. A little extra soy sauce or a squeeze of lime also balances the sweetness.
Why is my rice mushy or hard?
Too much liquid makes rice mushy, and a loose cover makes it hard. Measure the broth and cover tightly.
Do I need to stir during baking?
No. Keep the pan covered the whole time so the steam stays in.
Oven Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Rice
Equipment
- Skillet
- Baking dish
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 ½ cup low sodium chicken broth hot
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt plus pepper to taste
- green onions or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Cooking
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and heat the broth until steaming.
- Stir together the honey, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Put the rice in a large oven safe skillet or baking dish, pour in the hot broth, and stir gently.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper, set it on the rice, and pour the sauce over it.
- Cover tightly and bake 35 to 40 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
- Rest 5 minutes, fluff the rice, and garnish.
