The Best Juicy Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts and Thighs
You can make incredibly juicy, tender BBQ chicken right in your oven. This recipe coats chicken breasts and thighs in a sticky, smoky barbecue sauce, creating caramelized edges without needing a grill. It is a simple, flavorful chicken dinner perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken pieces (breasts or thighs, bone-in or boneless)
- 1 cup your favorite barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with foil for easier cleanup.
- In a small bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This creates your flavorful BBQ glaze.
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This step helps the sauce adhere and promotes better caramelization.
- Place the chicken in the prepared baking dish. Brush about half of the BBQ sauce mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken.
- Bake the chicken for 20 minutes.
- Remove the dish from the oven and brush the remaining BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken.
- Return the chicken to the oven and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the sauce is sticky and slightly caramelized. For extra color, you can briefly place it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve this easy BBQ chicken with your preferred sides.
Notes
- For the juiciest results with chicken breasts, use thicker cuts or pound them slightly to an even thickness before cooking.
- If you are using bone-in, skin-on thighs, they may require a few extra minutes of cook time to reach the safe internal temperature.
- This recipe works well for making BBQ chicken sandwiches later in the week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg