Description
Sweet, smoky, and tangy chicken simmered with fluffy rice in one skillet, delivering weeknight comfort with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in skinless chicken thighs, about 2 pounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large lidded skillet over medium high. Sear chicken 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden, then transfer to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and cook 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and bell pepper, cooking 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the rice and toast 1 minute, stirring to coat in the aromatics.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Stir in barbecue sauce and honey until evenly combined.
- Nestle the chicken and any juices into the rice. Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 20 to 25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken reaches 74°C or 165°F.
- Remove from heat and rest 5 minutes covered. Fluff rice, sprinkle parsley, adjust seasoning, and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- Note: Rinse rice until water runs clear for the fluffiest texture.
- Lift the lid only once, midway, to quickly check liquid level and prevent soggy rice.
- For deeper smoke, add 1/4 teaspoon extra smoked paprika.
- Brown rice works with 3 3/4 cups broth and 35 to 40 minutes cook time.
- Reheat gently with a splash of broth to revive the saucy glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg