There’s something incredibly satisfying about a meal that comes together in just one pot and still delivers big on flavor—that’s why I’m excited to share this One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe with you. Imagine tender chicken thighs simmered in smoky BBQ sauce, mingling with perfectly cooked rice and beans—comfort food at its finest, and all with minimal cleanup!

The image shows a black skillet filled with a layered cheesy chicken rice dish. The bottom layer is golden-brown rice mixed with bits of chicken and spices, topped with melted yellow and white cheese. On top of the cheese are small red cherry tomato pieces and green cilantro leaves scattered evenly. A woman's hand is holding a wooden spoon lifting a piece of browned chicken covered in cheese, with melted cheese stretching from the skillet to the spoon. The skillet is set on a white marbled surface with a few cilantro leaves nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe countless times, especially on those busy weeknights when I want something delicious without a fuss. The flavor is rich, comforting, and just the right balance of smoky and sweet. It always feels like a mini celebration when it’s on the table!

Simplicity: One pot means fewer dishes, saving you time and stress in the kitchen.
Flavor-packed: The BBQ sauce caramelizes on the chicken while infusing the rice, layering bold smoky and tangy flavors throughout.
Hearty and balanced: With black beans, corn, rice, and chicken, it’s a complete meal everyone enjoys.
Customizable: You can easily add your favorite toppings or switch up the BBQ sauce to suit your taste.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe brings together familiar ingredients that complement each other beautifully. The savory chicken, sweet corn, creamy beans, and tangy BBQ sauce meld together perfectly. Plus, buying good-quality BBQ sauce really makes a difference here—feel free to pick your favorite bottle or homemade version.

Flat lay of six raw boneless skinless chicken thighs seasoned with salt and pepper, a small drizzle of olive oil in a white ceramic bowl, a medium diced yellow onion in a white bowl, two peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl of golden frozen corn kernels, a small white bowl of rinsed black beans, short-grain white rice in a white ceramic bowl, a white bowl filled with rich reddish-brown BBQ sauce, a white bowl of clear chicken stock, a small pile of freshly shredded colby jack cheese, diced ripe green avocado, diced bright red tomatoes, and fresh green parsley sprigs arranged neatly in simple white ceramic bowls, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: Helps brown the chicken and adds subtle flavor without overpowering.
Chicken thighs: I prefer thighs for their juicy, tender texture—they stay moist through the cooking process.
BBQ sauce: The star of the dish, bringing smoky, tangy sweetness that seeps into the rice and chicken.
Onion: Adds a gentle savory base and sweetness once cooked down.
Garlic: Enhances the aroma and depth, just the right touch of pungency.
Frozen corn: Thawed corn kernels add bursts of sweetness and color.
Black beans: Provide protein, fiber, and creamy texture.
Short-grain white rice: It cooks up tender and slightly sticky, great for soaking up the sauce.
Chicken stock: Provides savory liquid that ensures the rice cooks perfectly and adds flavor.
Salt and pepper: Essential to season throughout and balance flavors.
Colby jack cheese: Melts into a gooey, flavorful topping that ties it all together.
Avocado, diced tomatoes, parsley or cilantro: Fresh toppings add brightness and contrasting textures.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe—sometimes I swap out the chicken thighs for chicken breasts if I’m in a lighter mood, or play around with different kinds of BBQ sauce depending on whether I’m craving a sweet, spicy, or smoky twist. It’s your recipe, so feel free to make it your own!

Variation: When I want to add a little heat, I toss in some diced jalapeños or use a chipotle BBQ sauce—gives it a nice smoky kick that’s out of this world.
Vegetarian option: Replace chicken with extra beans and vegetables, like bell peppers and zucchini, for a filling meat-free meal.
Make it cheesy: Sprinkle in some sharp cheddar or pepper jack instead of colby jack for a bolder flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe

A white plate holds a colorful dish with three main layers. The bottom layer is a mix of rice, black beans, corn, and small red tomato pieces, all mixed together with a soft texture. On top of this is a layer of melted yellow cheese, slightly browned and shiny. The top layer shows two pieces of browned chicken, covered with melted cheese and some fresh green cilantro leaves scattered around. On one side of the plate, there are sliced red cherry tomatoes and a wedge of light green avocado. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Brown the Chicken with BBQ Love

Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. While it warms up, season your chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. This is key for flavor! Place the chicken in the hot pan and let it brown undisturbed for about 3-4 minutes per side. During this time, brush the chicken with BBQ sauce using a pastry brush—this layering builds incredible flavor. Take the chicken out once it’s halfway cooked—you don’t want it fully done yet!

Step 2: Build the Vegetable Base

In the same skillet, toss in diced onion and minced garlic. The residual oil and browned bits add great flavor here. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Then stir in the thawed corn and rinsed black beans. These add sweetness and creaminess that balance the smoky BBQ perfectly.

Step 3: Toast the Rice & Add Liquids

Add your short-grain white rice to the skillet and gently stir it around for a couple of minutes. Toasting the rice like this brings out a subtle nuttiness that enhances the overall dish. Then, carefully pour in the chicken stock and the rest of your BBQ sauce. Give everything a good stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste — this is where you adjust the balance before cooking the rice.

Step 4: Simmer & Finish with Cheese

Bring the mixture up to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Nestle the chicken thighs back into the rice and sauce, cover with a lid, and let everything simmer gently for 30 minutes. This is the magic step when the rice soaks up all that lovely BBQ flavor. When the rice is tender and the chicken cooked through, sprinkle shredded colby jack cheese evenly over the top. Cover once more to let the cheese melt into a gooey, irresistible blanket.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Take the pot off the heat and top with diced avocado, juicy tomatoes, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro. These fresh accents brighten the whole dish and add wonderful texture contrasts.

Top Tip

After making this One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe many times, I’ve learned a few things that really make the difference between “just okay” and absolutely delicious:

Don’t skip browning: That initial sear on the chicken creates flavor-packed caramelization that sets the tone for the whole dish.
Use good BBQ sauce: I’ve found that quality BBQ sauce elevates this recipe easily—homemade or store-bought, just pick one you love.
Toast your rice: Taking a couple of minutes to toast the rice before adding liquid deepens the flavor and improves texture.
Don’t rush the simmer: Cooking the dish covered at medium-low heat allows the rice to absorb all those delicious juices—the patience pays off!

How to Serve One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe

BBQ Chicken and Rice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of topping this dish with diced avocado for creaminess, fresh diced tomatoes for brightness, and a handful of chopped cilantro or parsley for an herbal punch. Sometimes I add a squeeze of lime juice too—it wakes everything up in the best way.

Side Dishes

This dish is filling on its own, but if I want a little something extra, I usually serve it with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts or asparagus. Cornbread also makes a fantastic side if you want to stay in the southern comfort food vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve plated this One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe in mini cast iron skillets—everyone gets their own cheesy pot of goodness. It’s casual but feels festive, plus it keeps the cheese melty while eating!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I reheat, the rice can thicken a bit, so I stir in a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen it up and keep everything creamy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a couple of times without problems. After cooking, cool it completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It freezes well for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming it gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a bit of broth or water as needed. This helps retain moisture without drying out the chicken or rice. The cheese might clump a little when reheated, but it still tastes delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs in this recipe?

Yes! You can swap chicken thighs for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Keep in mind breasts can dry out faster, so watch the cooking time carefully to avoid overcooking.

What type of rice works best for this One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe?

Short-grain white rice is ideal because it becomes tender and slightly sticky, perfect for soaking up the BBQ sauce. Avoid quick-cooking instant rice as it won’t deliver the right texture or absorbency.

Can I make this recipe spicy?

Absolutely! Add diced jalapeños, use a spicy BBQ sauce, or sprinkle in cayenne pepper to taste during cooking. I love that little smoky heat it brings.

What should I do if my rice isn’t fully cooked after 30 minutes?

If the rice is still a bit firm after 30 minutes, cover and cook an additional 5-10 minutes on low heat. Make sure there’s enough liquid; add a splash of chicken stock if needed to prevent burning.

Final Thoughts

This One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe has become one of those go-to dishes I genuinely look forward to making. It’s reliably delicious, forgiving, and feels like a warm hug on a plate. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone who wants a simple, flavorful meal that doesn’t keep you tied to the kitchen. Give it a try—you’ll have dinner handled and your family asking for seconds in no time.