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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
Easy Baked BBQ Chicken
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!
- 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)
Such an amazingly delicious recipe that’s quick, easy and SO yummy!!
I’m so glad you liked it, thanks for letting me know!