Easy One Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Rice [Video]

One-pan meals are my favorite because I can make a delicious dinner with minimal fuss and only one pan to clean. This gives me more time to enjoy the meal and spend time with my family. This one-pan honey garlic chicken and rice is all that and more. Not only is it easy and fast, but the sweet honey and rich garlic flavors make the tender, juicy chicken taste unique. Sweet and savory, with tender chicken and perfectly baked flavorful rice, this recipe will win you over.

One Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Rice is so amazingly tasty that I guarantee you it will become one of your go-to dinners. This meal is so easy to make, budget-friendly, with easy to find ingredients and bursting with flavors.

As I said, the honey garlic sauce makes this recipe one of my favorite dishes. The sticky sauce coats everything, giving each bite that sweet and tangy flavor. The chicken is tender and succulent, with nice chewy rice flavored with butter and thyme.

It is hard to describe the multiple flavors you get in each forkful, but if you can imagine honey butter with garlic, tangy soy sauce, and ginger on seasoned chicken and rice, that is what you get. I love making this with the skin still on the chicken to get the crispy brown coating for extra texture and flavor. No matter what, sear the chicken before you cook it, though. That is the key to this recipe.

I loved this recipe so much that I made another version, one pan Italian chicken and rice, with Italian seasoning and lots of fresh lemon flavor!

Why you will love this recipe

• You only need one pan: I hate having a bunch of dirty dishes after I cook, so this is perfect because I only have one pan.
• It is so easy: With just a few steps, you will have this dish ready to eat. Easy peasy.
• The kids love it: With the sweet honey flavor, anyone with a sweet tooth loves this chicken and rice dish.
• Better than the restaurant: this tastes better than what you get at restaurants.

What you’ll need to make honey garlic chicken and rice:

Special items:

• Cast iron skillet – Or another oven-safe skillet.
• Wooden spoon – I prefer my wooden spoon because it does not damage my pans.

Main ingredients:

• Chicken—I prefer to use bone-in chicken thighs with the skin on for the best flavor and juiciest chicken. The skin also gives the chicken a nice crispy coating.
• Canola oil – You can use whatever oil you prefer cooking with.
• Salt – I use regular table salt to enhance the chicken’s flavor.
• Pepper—In all my recipes, I emphasize the use of freshly ground black pepper. Once you try it, you will understand why. The crisp and tingly flavor is incredible.

Honey garlic sauce ingredients:

• Garlic—I use freshly minced garlic for the freshest taste without the bitterness. However, you can use the jarred stuff in a hurry.
• Honey – I like alfalfa honey because of its neutral flavor, but you can use whatever kind you like.
• Rice wine vinegar – Also known as just rice vinegar, I prefer this kind of vinegar for this recipe because it is both sweet and savory with a mild taste that is perfect for rice dishes.
• Soy sauce – I recommend low-sodium soy sauce because the regular stuff is too salty.
• Ginger – Freshly minced is what I prefer, but you can use ground ginger too.
• Water – To help combine the other ingredients.

For the rice:

• Rice—I use basmati rice because the grains are long and dry, so they do not get clumped together in this recipe.
• Butter—Unsalted butter is best. If you only have salted butter, omit the salt from this part of the recipe.
• Onion – For this recipe, I prefer yellow onions, minced fresh, for a mild, sweet taste.
• Chicken broth – Organic, low-sodium chicken broth gives the best flavor without additives and extra salt.
• Thyme – Adds a minty floral background with hints of citrus.
• Salt – I prefer kosher salt for this part of the recipe because it is pure and fresh.
• Pepper – Freshly ground for the best flavor.

For garnish:

• Parsley – Fresh parsley adds some clean peppery flavor with an earthy background.
• Lemon slices – To brighten up the dish and enhance other flavors.

How to make one pan honey garlic chicken and rice?

1. Preheat the oven: Before you begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Brown the chicken: While you wait for the oven to heat, season the chicken. Then, heat the skillet until it is hot and add the oil. Once it is simmering, place the chicken in the pan, skin side down, and cook for about four minutes per side, until golden brown. Place the pan on a serving dish and cover with foil.
3. Make the sauce: Now, add garlic to the pan and cook for one minute. Add soy sauce, ginger, vinegar, water, and honey. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for five to eight minutes, until the sauce is slightly thick and reduced to your liking. Then, pour it into a bowl and set it aside.
4. Make the rice: Add butter to the hot skillet and let it melt on medium-low. Add the onion and thyme, stirring while cooking for one minute. Pour in the broth and stir before adding the meat to the rice, skin side up. Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Then, uncover, add the sauce, and cook for five more minutes.
5. Serve: Finally, serve with parsley and lemon slices with extra sauce on top.

Expert tip

Different types of honey

Many people have no idea that there is more than one kind of honey. The type of plants classes them the bees use to gather nectar. Because bees can get nectar from so many different plants, that means there are infinite numbers of different types of honey. But there are about six that are common in cooking, including clover, buckwheat, acacia, wildflower, alfalfa, and avocado honey.

Clover honey is the most common kind, so most honeybees hover in clover fields. But the one I like the most for cooking is acacia honey because it is fruity and light for various dishes. However, I prefer alfalfa honey in this chicken and rice recipe because it is mild and fresh. Buckwheat honey has a bold, nutty flavor that is high in antioxidants but can be bitter.

Wildflower honey is light and floral, best for baked goods like cake, bread, and muffins. Clover is sweet and mild, used chiefly in tea and wherever you need a bit of sweetness without the sugar. Avocado honey is dark and robust with a velvety undertone perfect for pancakes and waffles. Others include rich palmetto, citrusy lemon tree, sweet and tangy orange blossom, and spicy lavender honey.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Other cuts: I often make this delicious dish with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and sometimes I use drumsticks or wings.
• Different meat: Similarly, you can use different meats, such as pork, turkey, or ham, for different flavors.
• Spicy chicken: Those who love spicy food would enjoy this dish with a pinch of red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
• Your favorite herbs and spices: You can always enhance this dish with your favorite herbs and spices like basil, dill, oregano, or turmeric.
• Add vegetables: To make this a heartier meal, add broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, or even some bacon or beans.
• No honey: If you do not have (or do not like) honey, use pure maple syrup instead.

Serving suggestions:

This can be a complete meal, or you can add or substitute something you like.

• Anything with sauce needs a basket of fresh bread or rolls for soaking it up. Try my easy and delicious and fluffy Amish dinner rolls on the side.
• Another way to accompany this famous dish is with a healthy and crunchy salad with cucumbers.
• Many different veggies, such as potatoes, green beans, or broccoli, go with honey garlic chicken.
• While the meal is in the oven, start dinner with an easy appetizer like homemade pickle dip with some chips or celery sticks.
• For dessert, any kind of fruit salad or pudding would be delicious.

Frequently asked questions

Are honey and garlic healthy?

Garlic reduces inflammation, improves your immune system, and has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It may also be suitable for preventing blood clots, lowering cholesterol, and decreasing blood pressure. Honey has phytochemicals that also fight inflammation and have antioxidants. It is often used as a cough suppressant and pain reliever. Together, these can improve memory, tame upset stomachs, and fight colds and infections.

What is a good side dish for honey garlic chicken?

Because of the garlic, just about any vegetable will work from asparagus to zucchini. The added rice in this dish means you should try something light, such as a nice dinner salad or spinach with crumbled feta. Various fruits pair well with garlic and honey, like cinnamon apples, grilled pears, or strawberries with cream.

Why is my honey garlic chicken dry?

Any chicken can dry out if you cook it too long. This dish calls for a longer cooking time than many dishes with cut chicken, so I like using bone-in, skin-on thighs to keep it juicy. If you use chicken breasts, ensure you do not cook them too long. Check the temperature after 30 minutes. It should be 165 degrees F when finished.

What type of honey is best for chicken?

Because chicken has such a mild taste, it is easily overpowered by other tastes. As I mentioned, I prefer alfalfa honey with chicken because it has a lovely light, neutral flavor, so it does not overtake the other ingredients. But it should also be bold enough to stand out from the rich garlic flavor. You could also try clover honey, the most commonly found honey in the stores.

How to store:

• Refrigerate: Place your honey garlic chicken and rice in an airtight container and store in the fridge. They will keep fresh for three or four days.   
• Freezing: If you want to keep it longer, place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag and remove all the air before sealing it. Then, put it in another freezer bag and do the same thing. If you have a vacuum sealer, that is even better. It can stay frozen for up to four months.   
• Defrost: Thaw frozen leftover chicken and rice in the fridge the night before serving.
• Reheating: Place leftovers in the microwave for one to two minutes or in the oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F.   

More chicken dinners to try:

Recipe tips:

• If you do not have a cast iron or oven-safe skillet, you can bake it in a casserole dish instead. But then it will be a two-pan meal.
• Use a meat thermometer to check if your chicken is done. It should be 165 degrees F.
• Now, you can get boneless thighs with skin on them. If you like boneless meat, these are perfect for this meal.
• Remember that boneless meat cooks faster, though. Check it after 30 minutes.
• Make sure you use uncooked rice. Otherwise, your rice will turn into mush in the oven.
• Marinate extra flavorful chicken in a lemon garlic honey sauce overnight before cooking it.
• Also, sear your chicken to keep all the juices inside as it bakes.
• Make extra sauce. It is delicious on pork, turkey, beef, and even sandwiches.