Description
Smoky Chipotle BBQ Chicken and Rice Skillet is a flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked with smoky chipotle peppers, smoky BBQ sauce, and aromatic spices, all combined with tender rice and sweet corn. Finished with melted cheddar cheese and fresh herbs, this meal is perfect for a quick, hearty dinner or meal prep that’s packed with a delightful smoky and mildly spicy taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (smoky or sweet variety)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Grains and Dairy
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh cilantro or green onions
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, season them with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, then cook until browned and mostly cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic, chipotle pepper, and adobo sauce and cook for an additional 1 minute to let the flavors meld.
- Toast the Rice: Add the long grain white rice to the skillet and toast it for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently to coat the rice with the flavors and lightly brown it.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and BBQ sauce, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly. Return the browned chicken to the skillet, add the corn kernels, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Cook the Rice and Chicken: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer gently for 18 to 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Finish with Cheese and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or green onions before serving warm.
Notes
- For extra heat, add more chipotle peppers in adobo sauce according to your taste preference.
- This one-pan dish is excellent for meal prepping and reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Use gluten-free BBQ sauce to make this meal gluten-free.
