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Delicious Lazy Night BBQ Chicken with Rice on white marble

Classic Lazy Night BBQ Chicken with Rice

A delicious and easy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken thighs coated in BBQ sauce, baked with flavorful rice, perfect for a relaxed dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Equipment

  • paper towels
  • oven-safe skillet
  • fine-mesh sieve
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • aluminum foil
  • meat thermometer

Ingredients
  

Chicken

  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Rice

  • 1.5 cups long-grain white rice (Basmati or Jasmine)

Liquid

  • 2.5 cups chicken broth

BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce

Spices

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Optional for searing

  • 1 tablespoon oil (e.g., olive oil)

Optional Garnishes

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper. Optionally, sear chicken in an oven-safe skillet with oil for 2-3 minutes per side until light brown, then set aside.

Rice Mixture

  • Rinse rice until clear. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, stir rinsed rice, chicken broth, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, spreading the rice evenly.

Assembly

  • Place seared or raw chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture. Spoon or brush about 3/4 of the BBQ sauce generously over each chicken piece.

Bake Covered

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Finish Baking

  • Remove the foil and brush the remaining BBQ sauce over the chicken. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and rice is tender.

Rest and Serve

  • Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley, sliced green onions, and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve hot.

Notes

For an extra crispy chicken skin, consider using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and broiling for the last few minutes after removing the foil, watching carefully to prevent burning. Adjust the amount of BBQ sauce to your preference.