One Pot Chicken BBQ Rice

Name: One Pot Chicken BBQ Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts (cut into bite sized pieces); 1 small onion (chopped); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 cups instant brown rice; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained; 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce; 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chiles; 1/2 cup bbq sauce; 1 tablespoon chili powder; salt and pepper to taste; 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:; Ranch dressing; Avocado; Cilantro; Tomatoes

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This One Pot Chicken BBQ Rice is a quick and easy meal the whole family will love! Full of flavor, hearty, and satisfying, it’s so quick and easy too! Ready in just 40 minutes, BBQ chicken and rice is a great option for weeknight dinner!

overhead: a skillet full of BBQ rice with cheese, avocado, and tomatoes on top

Chicken BBQ Rice

I am back with a one pot meal!

This one pot BBQ chicken and rice to be exact. You guys knew I couldn’t ignore my beloved one pot meals for too long, right?! I have quite a few of them these days… One Pot Bacon Alfredo, Sheet Pan BBQ Meatballs Green Beans and Potatoes (a family favorite!), Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas, or this One Pot Chicken Florentine Pasta just to name a few. 🙂

Right up there with slow cooker meals, one pot meals are my favorite to make because they are so easy, so quick, and so satisfying.

I mean what’s not to love? Fewer dishes, less fuss, lots of flavor… best meal ever in my book!

But, back to this recipe for BBQ rice. It’s made with tender chicken, my favorite BBQ sauce, corn, green chiles, cheddar cheese, and a whole bunch of flavorful spices and seasonings! It’s got almost a southwestern flair to it, and my whole family can’t get enough of it.

I know this barbeque chicken rice is going to be a hit in your house too!

Why You’ll Love BBQ Chicken and Rice

Incredibly tasty
Comes together in one pot!
Cleanup is so easy
Full of bold, southwestern flavors
Family-tested and approved

overhead closeup: BBQ chicken and rice in a skillet with toppings like cheddar, avocado, ranch, and fresh tomatoes showing

Key Ingredients to Make Barbeque Chicken Rice

CHICKEN – I’m using chicken breast as I typically have a package ready to use in my freezer at all times. You could use different cuts of chicken, like thighs or drumsticks if you’d like.
BBQ SAUCE – Adds a nice subtle smokiness. Nothing overpowering so don’t worry. Use a BBQ sauce that you like — and if you’re feeling ambitious I’ve got recipes for Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce and Texas Style BBQ Sauce that you can make from scratch!
ONION & GARLIC – These aromatics will get everything going — start your barbeque chicken and rice by sautéing them in a bit of olive oil along with the chicken to bring out their natural flavors.
RICE – I like instant brown rice here so it’s a true one pot meal! You could also use instant white rice. I like using minute rice because you can have a meal done in next to no time, and I like brown rice for some added nutrition.
CHICKEN BROTH – You need to add some sort of liquid so the rice cooks up nicely. I like chicken broth, but you can use vegetable instead if you have it on hand.
CORN, GREEN CHILES, & TOMATO SAUCE – These canned ingredients add flavor and color to the mix! Again, I go with the canned stuff to make things super easy.
CHEESE – How can any meal be complete without a healthy sprinkling of cheese? It gets sprinkled on top at the end, melting right into the barbecue chicken with rice to create some seriously cheesy goodness. Shredded cheddar works best with the other ingredients, but Monterey or Pepper Jack would also be delish.
SEASONINGS – Chili powder and salt and pepper are perfect for adding more southwestern flavor.
TOPPINGS – I chose to top this dish off with some chopped fresh tomatoes, diced avocados, cilantro, lime, and of course an optional drizzle of ranch.

side view closeup: skillet of barbeque chicken rice with melted cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro on top

Instructions to Make Barbeque Chicken and Rice

COOK THE CHICKEN: Add some olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium. Place the chicken breast along with the chopped onion in the pan and brown until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and let it cook for 2 more minutes.

ADD THE OTHER INGREDIENTS: Introduce the rice, broth, corn, tomato sauce, chiles, BBQ sauce, and seasonings into the pan and stir to combine.

COOK: Allow your barbecue chicken with rice to simmer covered for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender, making sure to stir occasionally.

GARNISH: Remove the pan from heat and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Cover the pan so the cheese melts, then add your desired toppings just before serving. Enjoy!

side view closeup: a wooden spoon lifting a big spoonful of barbeque chicken and rice out of the skillet

FAQ

Can I put barbecue sauce on rice?

Absolutely! The added barbecue sauce in this BBQ chicken and rice recipe adds so much flavor.

Can I use leftover chicken to make BBQ rice?

Yes! This recipe is perfect for using up leftover chicken. Simply shred it before adding it to the pan with the onion, then follow the recipe instructions as written.

Can you add raw chicken to rice?

Yes, raw chicken and rice can be cooked together in the same pan. However, I take the time to cook the chicken before I add the rice for this barbeque chicken rice recipe. You don’t have to cook it entirely — just brown the outside as it will continue to cook when you add the rice, broth, and other ingredients.

What kind of cheese can I use instead of cheddar?

Remember, if you don’t have cheddar or want to use something else, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or even mozzarella are all great substitutes!

Tips To Make Barbecue Chicken with Rice

Don’t overcook the chicken. Since the chicken will simmer along with the rice and other ingredients for 15 minutes, it’s important not to brown it completely. Just cook it until it loses its pink color — this will ensure it stays juicy and doesn’t get dry.
Add some extra veggies to bulk up your BBQ rice even more. Bell peppers, carrots, or chopped celery would all taste great! If you do decide to incorporate some vegetables, you can add them to the pan with the chicken and onion.
Get creative with your toppings. I used a bunch of different toppings that I happened to have in the fridge, but you can feel free to add your favorites or omit any you don’t like. I love the idea of using sour cream and hot sauce. Green onion and an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce would also be really good!

More One Pot Meals To Try

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know what you think about this barbeque chicken and rice!

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