If there’s one recipe that perfectly balances comfort, convenience, and crave-worthy flavor, it’s this One-Pan Honey Butter Garlic Chicken and Rice. Designed for busy home cooks, this dish delivers a complete, satisfying meal using just one pan, simple pantry staples, and minimal hands-on time—without sacrificing taste.
This is the kind of dinner that feels warm and familiar, yet impressive enough to serve to guests. Golden, caramelized chicken thighs sit on top of fluffy rice that absorbs every bit of the rich honey butter garlic sauce as it cooks. The result is a beautifully layered dish where every bite is packed with flavor.
Why This One-Pan Chicken and Rice Is So Popular
The secret to this recipe’s success lies in how everything cooks together. The chicken is first seared to lock in juices and create that irresistible golden skin. Then it finishes cooking in the oven directly over the rice, allowing its flavorful juices to drip down and infuse every grain.
The honey butter garlic sauce brings everything together. Honey adds natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully, butter adds richness, and garlic provides that bold, savory backbone. A touch of soy sauce and lemon juice balances the sweetness, creating a sauce that’s deeply flavorful but never cloying.
Big Flavor with Very Little Effort
Despite how impressive this dish looks and tastes, it’s incredibly easy to make. With just 10 minutes of prep and mostly hands-off oven time, dinner practically cooks itself. Since everything happens in one pan, cleanup is quick and painless—perfect for hectic weeknights.
This recipe is also very forgiving. You can slightly adjust the sweetness, garlic level, or seasoning without affecting the final result. It’s a reliable, no-fail meal that works even if you’re not an experienced cook.
How the Rice Turns Out So Perfect
One of the highlights of this dish is the rice. Instead of being bland or dry, it becomes tender, fluffy, and deeply flavorful. Cooking it directly in chicken broth, butter, and pan drippings allows it to absorb layers of taste as it bakes.
Covering the pan tightly traps steam, which is essential for evenly cooked rice. Once the foil is removed, the chicken finishes browning while the rice settles into that perfect texture underneath.
A Family-Friendly Favorite
This recipe is especially popular with families. The sweet and savory honey garlic flavor appeals to kids, while adults appreciate the depth and balance of the sauce. The chicken is juicy and tender, the rice is comforting, and the entire dish feels like a complete, satisfying meal.
You can also easily add vegetables—like broccoli, green beans, or carrots—during the last part of cooking to make it even more wholesome without changing the core recipe.
Versatile, Budget-Friendly, and Impressive
Chicken thighs and rice are affordable ingredients, making this meal budget-friendly while still feeling special. It’s ideal for feeding a family, meal prepping for the week, or serving at a casual gathering.
The presentation is another bonus. When you pull the pan out of the oven with glossy honey-glazed chicken resting on perfectly cooked rice, it looks like something straight out of a cookbook.
Helpful Tips for Best Results
- Pat the chicken dry before searing for crispier skin
- Keep the pan tightly covered while the rice cooks
- Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the rice finishes absorbing liquid
- For extra color, broil briefly at the end (optional)
Final Thoughts
This One-Pan Honey Butter Garlic Chicken and Rice is the definition of weeknight comfort food done right. It’s easy, affordable, and packed with flavor—yet elegant enough to feel special. With tender chicken, flavorful rice, and a sweet-savory sauce that brings everything together, it’s no surprise this recipe is a favorite in so many kitchens.
One-Pan Honey Butter Garlic Chicken and Rice
This one-pan wonder combines tender chicken thighs with a honey butter garlic glaze and fluffy rice that cooks right underneath, absorbing all the incredible flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort and cleanup.
Ingredients:
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. This helps achieve crispy skin.
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In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with this spice mixture.
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Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for 4-5 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, lemon juice, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Set aside half of this sauce for basting later.
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In the same skillet with the chicken drippings, add the uncooked rice and stir to coat with the fats. Toast for 1-2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and add salt and butter. Stir well to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
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Brush the chicken thighs generously with half of the honey butter garlic sauce. Place the chicken pieces skin-side up on top of the rice in the skillet, spacing them evenly.
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Cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil or a lid. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
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After 25 minutes, remove the foil and brush the chicken with the remaining honey butter garlic sauce. Return to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
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Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. The rice will continue to absorb any remaining liquid. Fluff the rice gently with a fork.
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Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 ServingCalories:520kcal
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes! Boneless skinless chicken breasts work well, but reduce the cooking time to about 30-35 minutes total and check for an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Chicken breasts can dry out more easily, so keep a close eye on them.
What if I do not have an oven-safe skillet?
You can sear the chicken in a regular skillet, then transfer everything to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place the rice mixture in the dish first, then arrange the seared chicken on top and proceed with the recipe as written.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Brown rice requires more liquid and longer cooking time. Use 3 cups of broth and increase the covered cooking time to 45-50 minutes. Check that the rice is tender before removing the foil.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone. It should read 165 degrees F. The juices should run clear and the meat should no longer be pink inside.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the components separately: season the chicken and refrigerate, make the sauce and store it, and measure out the rice ingredients. However, for best results, cook everything fresh as the rice and chicken timing are designed to work together.
What vegetables can I add to this dish?
Green beans, broccoli florets, sliced carrots, or bell peppers can be added around the chicken in the last 15 minutes of cooking. You can also stir frozen peas into the rice when you remove it from the oven.
Why is my rice still hard after cooking?
This usually means there was not enough liquid or the oven temperature was too low. Add 1/4 cup more hot broth, cover tightly, and return to the oven for 10 more minutes. Make sure your oven is properly preheated.
Can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Absolutely! Boneless thighs work great and reduce cooking time slightly. Check for doneness around 30-35 minutes. They may not get as crispy but will still be delicious and flavorful.
How can I make this gluten-free?
Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free. Always check your chicken broth label to ensure it is gluten-free as well.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes! Use a larger roasting pan or two separate pans. Keep in mind that doubling the recipe may require slightly longer cooking time. Check the rice and chicken for doneness before removing from the oven.
