Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1.5 cups uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion (optional)
- Fresh parsley or sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce and honey until well combined. Set aside.
- In the prepared baking dish, combine the rinsed rice, chicken broth, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to ensure the rice is evenly distributed.
- Arrange the chicken thighs evenly over the rice mixture in the baking dish. If using, scatter the chopped red bell pepper and red onion around the chicken.
- Pour the honey BBQ sauce mixture generously over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C) and the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. The sauce should be bubbly and slightly caramelized.
- Once cooked, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes, covered, before serving. This allows the rice to fully steam and the flavors to meld.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or sliced green onions before serving. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve the chicken and rice together.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken in a little garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes before baking. If you prefer brown rice, increase the broth to 2.5 cups and the baking time by an additional 15-20 minutes (total covered time will be longer). This dish reheats beautifully for next-day lunches! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end can brighten up all the flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg