Description
Smoky Chipotle BBQ Chicken and Rice Skillet brings bold, zesty flavors straight to your dinner table with minimal cleanup. Packed with spicy chipotle kick and tender chicken, this one-pan wonder delivers a satisfying meal that keeps your kitchen cool and your taste buds dancing.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, diced
Cooking Base:
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Flavoring and Finishing Components:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from the chipotle can)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped cilantro or green onion for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (400°F). Add 1 pound diced chicken, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook 5-6 minutes until golden brown and nearly done. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- Without cleaning the skillet, sauté 1 diced small yellow onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 minced chipotle pepper, and 2 tablespoons adobo sauce. Allow mixture to become fragrant for 1 minute.
- Pour 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice into the skillet. Stir thoroughly to coat rice with spices. Add 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth and ½ cup barbecue sauce. Bring liquid to a gentle simmer.
- Return browned chicken to the skillet. Gently mix ingredients. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, reducing heat to low (200°F). Simmer 20-25 minutes until rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender.
- Sprinkle ½ cup cheddar and ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese evenly across the surface. Cover for 2-3 minutes to melt cheese completely. Alternatively, broil for 1-2 minutes until cheese bubbles.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions. Serve immediately from the skillet while hot and cheesy.
Notes
- Drain canned chipotle peppers well to control heat level and prevent overwhelming spiciness in the dish.
- Select long-grain white rice for best texture and absorption of smoky BBQ sauce flavors.
- When searing chicken, ensure skillet is hot enough to create a golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and develops deeper flavor profiles.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and verify your BBQ sauce is certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 9-10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-28 minutes
- Category: One-Skillet
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg