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Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Bowl with Garlic Butter Rice

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This Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Bowl features juicy chicken glazed in a sticky-sweet BBQ sauce with a kick of heat, served over fluffy garlic butter rice and topped with crisp, colorful veggies. It’s a quick, customizable, and crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1–2 tbsp hot sauce (to taste)
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Optional: 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • Pickled red onions (for topping)
  • Sliced avocado or guacamole (for topping)
  • Crisp cucumber slices (for topping)
  • Diced tomatoes (for topping)
  • Shredded lettuce or greens (for topping)
  • Chopped cilantro (for topping)
  • Crumbled feta or cotija cheese (for topping)
  • Lime wedges (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Chop chicken into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch chunks). Mince garlic and prepare desired toppings.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in rice and toss to coat.
  3. Add chicken broth, salt, and pepper to the rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
  4. While rice cooks, toss chicken pieces with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and sear until golden on both sides, about 4-5 minutes.
  6. Lower heat to medium. Add BBQ sauce, honey, and hot sauce to the skillet. Stir to coat chicken and simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and sauce is thick and glossy. Add a splash of water if sauce gets too thick.
  7. Fluff garlic butter rice with a fork and stir in chopped parsley if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  8. Assemble bowls by spooning garlic butter rice into bowls, topping with sweet and spicy BBQ chicken, and adding desired toppings such as pickled onions, avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
  9. Serve immediately. For meal prep, store rice, chicken, and toppings separately.

Notes

For gluten-free, check your BBQ sauce label. For dairy-free, use vegan butter or olive oil in the rice. Chicken breasts or tofu can be substituted for thighs. Toppings are flexible—use what you love. For meal prep, store toppings separately. Leftovers taste even better the next day. If rice sticks, add more broth or stir halfway through cooking. Grill chicken for extra smoky flavor if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ chicken bowl, garlic butter rice, sweet and spicy chicken, easy dinner, meal prep, chicken rice bowl, gluten-free option, customizable bowl, weeknight dinner, family favorite

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/sweet-and-spicy-bbq-chicken-bowl-recipe-with-garlic-butter-rice/