Discover the perfect harmony of smoky heat and golden sweetness in this incredible Chipotle Honey Chicken and Rice that transforms your dinner table into a flavor-packed celebration. This complete one-pan meal features tender, juicy chicken thighs glazed with a mouthwatering combination of smoky chipotle peppers and rich honey, all nestled on a bed of perfectly seasoned rice that absorbs every drop of those amazing pan juices. Each bite delivers layers of complex flavors – the earthy smokiness of chipotle peppers provides warmth without overwhelming heat, while the honey adds a beautiful caramelized sweetness that balances everything perfectly. Whether you’re looking for a satisfying weeknight dinner that comes together in one pan or planning a meal that will impress guests with minimal effort, this dish brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your home kitchen.
Serving: 4-6 people
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Chipotle Honey Glaze:
1/4 cup honey
3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from the chipotle can)
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Rice:
1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 medium onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
Start by creating your incredible chipotle honey glaze that will be the star of this dish. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, minced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, cumin, and smoked paprika until well combined. Set aside half of this glaze for serving, and use the other half for coating the chicken.
Season the chicken thighs generously on both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients, which helps them cook more evenly.
Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, carefully place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan. Don’t overcrowd them – you want that beautiful golden-brown sear.
Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes without moving them, allowing the skin to become crispy and golden brown. Flip the thighs and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the other side until they’re beautifully browned all over.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate. Don’t worry about cooking them through completely at this stage – they’ll finish cooking with the rice.
In the same pan with all those delicious browned bits, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that’s pure flavor gold.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in the rice, making sure each grain gets coated with the flavorful oil and vegetables.
Pour in the chicken broth, salt, and cumin, stirring everything together. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the pan, skin-side up so it stays crispy.
Braising and Glazing
Brush the chicken thighs generously with half of your chipotle honey glaze, making sure to coat the skin completely for maximum flavor and that beautiful caramelized finish.
Cover the pan and transfer it to a preheated 375-degree oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the rice is tender, the liquid is absorbed, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
During the last 5 minutes of cooking, remove the lid and brush the chicken with any remaining cooking glaze to create that gorgeous, glossy finish.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the rice to absorb any remaining moisture and the flavors to settle perfectly.
Finishing and Serving
Sprinkle the finished dish with fresh chopped cilantro and sliced green onions for a bright pop of color and fresh flavor that complements the smoky-sweet profile beautifully.
Serve immediately with the reserved chipotle honey glaze on the side for those who want an extra drizzle of that amazing flavor.
Tips for Perfect Chipotle Honey Chicken and Rice
Choose bone-in, skin-on thighs for the best flavor and texture. The bones add richness to the dish while the skin becomes beautifully crispy and helps protect the meat from drying out.
Don’t skip the searing step as it creates incredible flavor through the Maillard reaction and gives you those delicious browned bits that flavor the entire dish.
Control the heat level by adjusting the amount of chipotle peppers and adobo sauce. Start with less if you’re sensitive to spice, as you can always add more next time.
Use long-grain rice like jasmine or basmati for the best texture. These varieties stay fluffy and separate rather than becoming mushy during the braising process.
Check your rice timing by looking for absorbed liquid and tender grains. If the rice needs more time but the chicken is done, cover just the rice portion with foil and continue cooking.
Make it ahead by preparing the glaze up to 3 days in advance and storing it covered in the refrigerator. The flavors actually improve with time.
Substitute ingredients easily by using chicken broth instead of water for extra flavor, or try brown rice with adjusted cooking time and liquid amounts.
Double the recipe for meal prep by using a larger pan or dividing between two pans. This dish reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish covered in a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 5 servings):
- Calories: 485
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 32g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Iron: 2.8mg
- Vitamin C: 35mg
- Potassium: 485mg
This complete meal provides excellent protein from the chicken, complex carbohydrates from the rice, and beneficial vitamins and minerals from the vegetables. The chipotle peppers add capsaicin, which may help boost metabolism, while the honey provides natural antioxidants. Despite being a hearty, satisfying meal, it maintains a reasonable calorie count per serving while delivering outstanding nutritional value.
