One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken: A Sweet, Smoky One-Skillet Dinner You’ll Crave Weekly

I still remember the Wednesday night when I came home from practice, exhausted and late, and staring at the empty fridge thinking, “What on earth can I throw together?” That’s when I decided I needed a recipe that felt like comfort, flavor and speed all at once. That’s how I stumbled on what became my go‑to: One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken. In that moment, the idea of whipping up a full ­meal with minimal fuss just one cast‑iron skillet, bold honey BBQ sauce, tender chicken felt like a celebration of simple victories. And if you, like me, are looking for a weeknight savior that delivers flavor and ease, this One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken is exactly what you need.

Why You’ll Love This One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken

When you’re juggling errands, lunch duty, after‑practice meals, and maybe even a quick Zoom call before dinner, the last thing you want is a recipe with a dozen pans and complicated steps. Enter One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken: it’s streamlined, bold, and totally satisfying. When I serve this One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken, the rice soaks up that honey‑barbecue chicken and rice flavor, the chicken comes out juicy, and the cleanup is minimal. It also ties into those “after practice meals” when you need something hearty fast. So if you’re scanning for “After Practice Meals” or “Random Meals” ideas, this one is a winner.

One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken

This One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken is the weeknight dinner hero—juicy chicken, saucy BBQ flavor, rice and veggies all made in a single skillet for bold flavor and zero fuss.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Calories: 520

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup BBQ sauce your favorite
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 1.5 cups long-grain rice
• 3 cups chicken broth or water + bouillon
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 cup frozen peas optional
• fresh parsley or green onions to garnish

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Equipment

• Cast-Iron Skillet

Method

 

1. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
2. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken for about 3 minutes per side until golden but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until softened, about 2 minutes.
4. Stir in rice, diced red bell pepper, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and scrape up any browned bits.
5. Mix BBQ sauce and honey in a bowl. Pour over rice mixture in skillet.
6. Return chicken to skillet, nestling into the rice. Cover and cook on low for 18–20 minutes, until chicken is cooked and rice is tender.
7. In the last 5 minutes, stir in frozen peas if using. Cover again and finish cooking.
8. Remove from heat, garnish with parsley or green onions, and serve hot.

Notes

Want more flavor? Add cayenne or smoked chili powder. Use pre-chopped veggies for faster prep. Great for next-day lunches too.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 ½ cups long‑grained rice
• 3 cups chicken broth (or water + bouillon)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
• Fresh parsley or green onions to garnish

Because this is the one‑pan version of “One Skillet Honey BBQ Chicken And Rice” or “One Pan Honey Chicken And Rice” (or “Honey Barbeque Chicken And Rice”), we’re aiming for that full meal in one skillet: chicken, sauce, rice, veggies.

Instructions

1. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large oven‑safe skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken on both sides (about 3 minutes per side) until golden but not fully cooked.
3. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until softened (about 2 minutes).
4. Stir in the rice, diced red bell pepper, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and scrape up any browned bits from the pan.
5. In a small bowl, mix the BBQ sauce and honey. Pour this mixture over the rice in the skillet.
6. Nestle the chicken into the rice mixture, cover the skillet, and reduce heat to low. Cook for about 18‑20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
7. In the final 5 minutes, stir in the frozen peas (if using), cover again.
8. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley/green onions. Serve your One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken hot—everyone will want seconds of that BBQ chicken and rice comfort.

Tips & Tricks for Success

• Don’t worry if your sauce looks slightly runny when you pour it over the rice it thickens as you simmer. That’s part of the magic of One Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice.
• If you’re short on time after practice, use pre‑chopped bell pepper or frozen onion mix making this recipe great for “After Practice Meals”.
• Want extra bold flavor? Add a pinch of cayenne or a dash of smoked chili powder. It’ll elevate your Bbq Chicken And Rice game without adding hassle.
• If you don’t have an oven‑safe skillet, you can finish it covered on the stovetop just make sure the lid fits well to trap steam.
• Leftovers reheat well and make for perfect next‑day “One Pan Honey BBQ Chicken And Rice” lunches. Just cover and microwave, stirring once.

My Personal Anecdote

When my daughter came home from soccer practice, famished, I served this One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken and she practically inhaled it. She looked up mid‑bite and said, “Mom, this is like restaurant food, but you didn’t have to fuss for hours.” For me, cooking is about connection and that moment reminded me of cooking in my grandmother’s kitchen, stirring sauce, hearing laughter, and doing something that felt like love. That’s what this recipe does: it’s bold, quick, and full of heart.

FAQs

Can I substitute the chicken with thighs or breast?
Yes both work great. If you use thighs, they stay juicy and are ideal for this One Pan Honey BBQ Chicken Rice version.

Can I make this gluten‑free?
Absolutely just choose a gluten‑free BBQ sauce and gluten‑free broth, and you’ve got a perfect gluten‑free “Honey Barbeque Chicken And Rice”.

How can I store leftovers?
Store any leftover One Pan Honey Bbq Chicken And Rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to keep the rice moist.

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes but you’ll need more liquid and a longer cooking time since brown rice takes longer to cook. Make sure your skillet is oven‑safe or switch to a covered casserole dish.

When dinner time rolls around and you want something flavorful, efficient and satisfying, this One Pan Bold Honey BBQ Chicken checks all the boxes. Whether you’re prepping “Random Meals” for the week or needing a rush‑friendly “After Practice Meals” solution, the one‑skillet simplicity of this dish means you spend less time fussing and more time enjoying. Serve it up, watch the smiles around the table, and know you made something special and bold in just one pan.