Easy Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken that’s moist and juicy inside and deliciously charred and sticky on the outside. It’s the best shortcut barbecue chicken recipe perfect for year-round family dinners.
Craving more delicious BBQ flavor? Try my easy Slow-Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs and these sticky Slow-Cooker BBQ Pork Ribs.
About This Recipe
This is the only oven-baked BBQ chicken recipe you’ll ever need! Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces are coated in a simple seasoning blend, baked until crispy and golden, and finished with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. They’re tender and juicy on the inside, with crispy, seasoned skin generously coated in your favorite BBQ sauce.
It’s an awesome, budget-friendly weeknight dinner and pairs perfectly with all amazing side dishes like creamy coleslaw, cornbread, mashed potatoes, fries, salad, veggies, and so much more! But the very best part? Baking BBQ chicken is so easy to make with less mess than traditional grilling and pan-frying. It also means you can enjoy delicious BBQ flavors year-round, rain or shine!
Table of Contents
Roasting Bone-In Vs. Boneless Chicken
of flavor, there’s no question that bone-in, skin-on chicken (thighs, drumsticks, and even breasts) is a million times juicer and more flavorful than their boneless counterparts. They’re also (typically) cheaper and perfect for feeding a crowd.
Cooking bone-in chicken takes longer than boneless chicken, so it’s essential to plan accordingly. Here are the approximate cooking times if you’re roasting in an oven preheated to 400°F (204°C):
- Bone-in Chicken Legs (Drumsticks + Thighs together): 40-45 minutes
- Bone-in Chicken Thighs: 35-45 minutes
- Bone-in Chicken Breasts: 30-40 minutes
- Boneless Chicken Breasts: 22-26 minutes
Always cook your chicken to an internal temperature of 160-165 degrees F, as measured with a digital meat thermometer.
3 Easy Steps For Perfect Baked BBQ Chicken
The complete recipe (with step-by-step images) is in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
1. Prepare Properly: BBQ chicken is super messy. For easy cleanup, line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. I also like to place a wire cooling rack on top of the pan (spraying it generously with nonstick spray) to get extra crispy skin.
2. Layer the flavors and bake: Toss the chicken in a large bowl with olive oil, baking soda, and the seasoning mixture. This is your first layer of flavor. You’ll want to cook the chicken without BBQ sauce until the end of cooking to prevent the sugary sauce from burning.
3. Broil to finish: Your chicken is fully cooked, and the skin is crispy. Now is the perfect time to brush the entire surface of your cooked chicken pieces with BBQ sauce and crank up the heat to broil. The result is perfectly crispy edges and sticky skin.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
Find the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.
- Chicken—The best chicken for this recipe is bone-in, skin-on pieces, such as thighs, legs, and wings. I used five legs and four thighs.
- Baking powder—The baking powder helps to tenderize the meat and also creates a crispy outer coating.
- Seasoning—You’ll need a combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper. You can also experiment with cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
- BBQ sauce—Use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce or sweet, tangy, super easy homemade BBQ sauce.
Side Dishes to Serve with BBQ Chicken
BBQ chicken pairs well with a mix of savory, sweet, tangy, and fresh sides! Here are some great options:
- Classic Side Dishes: Cornbread, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Baked Beans, and Corn on the Cob (smothered in butter, of course!)
- Light and Fresh Side Dishes: Cucumber Salad, Cherry Tomato Salad, Wedge Salad, or this Fresh Fruit Salad.
- Comforting Side Dishes: Mashed Potatoes, Macaroni Salad, Mac & Cheese, and Buttermilk Biscuits.
How to Freeze Baked BBQ Chicken
Allow the chicken to cool before wrapping each piece in plastic wrap or foil to keep them from sticking. Place the wrapped pieces in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the chicken in a baking dish covered with foil. Bake for 20-25 minutes (or until heated through).
Have any questions about this Recipe? Drop me a message in the comment section below! I’m happy to help. And, if you enjoy this Baked BBQ Chicken Recipe, please rate it with some STAR LOVIN’ so other readers know to try it too! Tag me at #theforkedspoon. I’ll be sure to share! Thank you!
RECIPE CARD
Baked BBQ Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken pieces - chicken thighs, legs, or both
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce - plus more for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking pan with aluminum foil, then place a cooling rack on top. Spray with nonstick spray.
- Place the chicken in a large bowl and toss with the olive oil. Add the baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Gently mix the chicken pieces in the seasoning until the spices are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the chicken pieces to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the chicken for 20 minutes, then flip them over and bake for 15 minutes. Flip them back over and bake for another 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the skin is crispy.
- Flip the chicken back over and brush the bottoms with the BBQ sauce then flip them over and generously brush the remaining BBQ sauce on top.
- Broil on high for 3-5 minutes or until the chicken chars to your liking and the BBQ sauce is bubbling.
Jessica’s Notes
- Bone-in Chicken Legs (Drumsticks + Thighs together): 40-45 minutes
- Bone-in Chicken Thighs: 35-45 minutes
- Bone-in Chicken Breasts: 30-40 minutes
- Boneless Chicken Breasts: 22-26 minutes
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
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