• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

A Seasoned Greeting

  • About Catherine
  • Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Printables
  • Let’s Connect
Home » Easy Baked BBQ Chicken

Easy Baked BBQ Chicken

November 23, 2021 by aseasonedgreeting 2 Comments

Sharing is caring!

547 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

You don’t need a grill to enjoy the savory flavors of BBQ chicken! This easy baked BBQ chicken recipe only needs your oven and the broiler. About 45 minutes and dinner is done!

Combine a dry rub made with common pantry spices with your favorite BBQ sauce and you’re ready to cook! Once you pop this in the oven to bake you can sit back and relax, or whip up a side dish.

close photo of a bbq chicken thigh partially cut open on brown newsprint paper.

BEST BBQ SAUCE TO USE

The best BBQ sauce to use is…whatever your favorite is!

But, if you’re looking for recommendations or to try something new I’ll share with you two of my favorite go-to sauces.

First is this Carolina Sweet sauce from Sticky Fingers. I used to live in Charleston, SC and have been to the Sticky Fingers restaurant a few times so it always feels a bit nostalgic using this sauce!

My second sauce recommendation is Rib Rack, I use the Bourbon one!

unbaked BBQ chicken thigh on the baking rack on a foil lined baking sheet.

HOW TO MAKE THE DRY RUB

One of the keys to good flavorful chicken is a starting with a good dry rub! Here is what I used to season up these chicken thighs.

  • Brown sugar
  • Garlic powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • Onion powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Just mix everything then sprinkle over the chicken before adding the sauce. I also like to add a few slices into the raw chicken so the dry rub and sauce and really flavor inside the chicken as well!

chicken things in a stainless steel mixing bowl seasoned with the dry rub.

COOKING TIPS

  • I like to score the tops of the chicken thighs with two slices, that way I can make sure the dry rub and BBQ sauce really get into the chicken.
  • These bake slightly elevated on a baking rack. I prefer this method since some fat and juices will bake off of the thighs, and if the chicken is sitting flat in a casserole dish it gets a little watery.
  • After these bake for 45 minutes (or until the internal temperature as reached 165 degrees), you’ll pop these under the broiler for about 90 seconds – 2 minutes. This final step really helps get the tops of the chicken a tad charred with the ideal caramelized BBQ sauce flavor!
  • Get a digital meat thermometer to make checking the chicken super easy!
baked BBQ chicken on a white plate with two forks on a wood surface.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BBQ CHICKEN

Every BBQ chicken needs some epic sides! Here are some of my favorites to try.

Mexican Corn Pasta Salad
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Loaded Pasta Salad
Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Green Beans with Almonds and Lemon

Have some BBQ sauce you need to use up? These Baked BBQ Chicken Taquitos or BBQ Chicken Burgers would be perfect!

And check out more main dish recipes for dinner ideas for the week.

the oven baked BBQ chicken on brown newsprint paper slightly pulled apart with two forks.
Print

Easy Baked BBQ Chicken

close photo of a bbq chicken thigh partially cut open on brown newsprint paper.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Get the taste of BBQ chicken from your oven! This easy baked BBQ chicken is made with a dry rub then combined with your favorite BBQ sauce. Bake then broil for oven BBQ perfection!

  • Author: aseasonedgreeting
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

4 bone-in chicken thighs, skin and excess fat removed
1/2 cup BBQ sauce, plus more for basting and serving
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Prepare your baking sheet by lining it with foil, and topping with a baking rack that’s been sprayed with cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl combine the dry ingredients: the brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper.

3. Lightly score the chicken thighs by cutting one or two slices into the top, then place in a large bowl.

4. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the dry rub and make sure the chicken is well coated (use all of the dry rub!!).

5. Next, pour in the 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce and massage well into the chicken.

6. Place the chicken top side down onto the baking rack, bake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, flip the chicken, baste the top with additional fresh BBQ sauce, then bake another 20 minutes. Internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees. If temperature is not reached, add 5 minutes and test again.

7. Lastly, place under the broiler for 90 seconds – 2 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Use your favorite BBQ sauce. If you need a recommendation I like Sticky Finger’s Carolina Sweet and Dinosaur BBQ.

With these baking elevated on a baking rack, the juices and sauce beneath the rack will burn onto the foil. If the burn is smoking or becomes too strong you can swap the chicken onto a new baking sheet with fresh foil. (I haven’t needed to do this but wanted to provide an alternative)

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @aseasonedgreeting on Instagram

« No Mushroom Soup Green Bean Casserole
Spicy Corn Fritters »

Filed Under: Chicken, Main Dishes

Subscribe

for your weekly recipe fix.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarKristin F.

    February 20, 2023 at 5:48 pm

    Such an amazingly delicious recipe that’s quick, easy and SO yummy!!

    Reply
    • Avataraseasonedgreeting

      February 20, 2023 at 6:14 pm

      I’m so glad you liked it, thanks for letting me know!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Menu

  • About Catherine
  • Easy and inspired recipes for your busy life
  • Legal and Privacy Policy
  • Let’s Connect
  • Printables
  • Recipes

Copyright © 2025 A Seasoned Greeting on the Foodie Pro Theme

547 shares