Description
This One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice recipe combines tender, flavorful chicken thighs with smoky BBQ sauce, rice, black beans, corn, and melted cheese for a hearty, comforting meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2/3 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup short-grain white rice (NOT quick/minute rice)
- 3 cups chicken stock
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup freshly shredded colby jack cheese
- Avocado, diced tomatoes, and parsley or cilantro, for topping
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: In a large deep skillet or pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken on both sides, brushing a generous amount of BBQ sauce onto each side while cooking. Remove chicken once halfway cooked through, about 3-4 minutes, and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables and Toast Rice: In the same skillet, add diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until softened, then stir in thawed corn and rinsed black beans. Add the rice and gently toast for a couple of minutes, stirring to combine.
- Add Liquids and Season: Carefully pour in chicken stock and add the remaining BBQ sauce into the skillet. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer the Dish: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Nestle the partially cooked chicken thighs back into the rice and liquid. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and liquid absorbed.
- Melt Cheese and Add Toppings: Sprinkle shredded colby jack cheese evenly over the top of the dish. Cover the skillet until the cheese melts. Remove from heat and garnish with diced avocado, tomatoes, and chopped parsley or cilantro, if desired.
Notes
- Use your favorite BBQ sauce to customize the flavor profile, whether sweet, tangy, or spicy.
- Short-grain white rice works best as it absorbs flavors well and provides a tender texture.
- For a milder dish, reduce the amount of BBQ sauce or choose a low-sugar variety.
- Feel free to add extra veggies like bell peppers or jalapeños for more texture and flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; you may need to add a splash of chicken stock or water when warming.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 439 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
