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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.
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 amazing side dishes like creamy coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, broccoli slaw, cornbread, mashed potatoes, and so much more! But the very best part? Baked 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!
Craving more delicious BBQ flavor? Try my easy Slow-Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs and these sticky Slow-Cooker BBQ Pork Ribs.
Table of Contents
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.
Roasting Bone-In Vs. Boneless Chicken
For the juiciest, most flavorful baked BBQ chicken, bone-in, skin-on pieces are hard to beat. Chicken thighs, drumsticks, and bone-in breasts stay tender as they roast, and the skin helps lock in moisture. They are also typically more affordable, making them a great option when feeding a crowd.
Bone-in chicken does take longer to cook than boneless chicken, so plan accordingly. These are approximate cooking times for chicken roasted in a 400°F oven:
- Bone-in chicken legs: 40-45 minutes
- Bone-in chicken thighs: 35-45 minutes
- Bone-in chicken breasts: 30-40 minutes
- Boneless chicken breasts: 22-26 minutes
Cooking times will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. For best results, use a digital meat thermometer and cook chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the meat.
How to Make Perfect Baked BBQ Chicken
- Prepare the pan: BBQ chicken can be messy, so line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. For extra crispy skin, place a wire cooling rack on top of the baking sheet and spray it generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- Season and bake: Toss the chicken in a large bowl with olive oil, baking powder, and the seasoning mixture. This creates the first layer of flavor. Bake the chicken without BBQ sauce at first, since the sugar in the sauce can burn if added too early.
- Brush with BBQ sauce and broil: Once the chicken is fully cooked and the skin is crispy, brush the pieces all over with BBQ sauce. Broil for a few minutes, just until the sauce is sticky, caramelized, and lightly charred around the edges.
Serving Ideas
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, Boston Baked Beans, and Instant Pot Corn on the Cob (smothered in butter, of course!)
- Light and Fresh Side Dishes: Cucumber Onion Salad, Cherry Tomato Salad, Wedge Salad, or this fresh Fruit Salad Recipe.
- Comforting Side Dishes: Mashed Potatoes, Macaroni Salad, Baked Mac & Cheese, and Buttermilk Biscuits.
Storage and Freezing
- Leftovers: Store leftover baked BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results, allow the chicken to cool before storing, but do not leave it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Freezing: Allow the chicken to cool completely, then wrap each piece in plastic wrap or foil to help prevent sticking and freezer burn. Transfer the wrapped pieces to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thawing: Thaw frozen BBQ chicken overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the chicken in a baking dish and cover loosely with foil to keep it from drying out. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. For crispier skin, remove the foil during the last few minutes of reheating.
Optional: Brush with a little extra BBQ sauce before reheating if the chicken looks dry.
More Baked Chicken Recipes
If you try making this baked bbq chicken recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment and a star rating below. Your feedback helps other readers discover (and enjoy) this recipe too. Thank you so much! 💛
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.
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Very juicy. Will definitely make it again. I took a picture if you would want it.
Thank you so much, Beth! I am so glad the BBQ chicken turned out juicy and that you would make it again. I always love seeing reader photos, so yes, feel free to send it or tag me on Instagram @theforkedspoon 🙂
Can you bake the first step and when it is time to add the BBQ can you put it in a crockpot ?
Great question! For the best crockpot results and less hassle modifying this recipe, I recommend using my Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs recipe instead. It’s designed for the crockpot from start to finish and gives you super flavorful, tender BBQ chicken with minimal effort!
I cook it when it’s frozen ?
I don’t recommend baking chicken from frozen for this recipe. For the best flavor and texture, it’s best to fully thaw the chicken before cooking.
Can I do pork chops with this recipe ?
Absolutely, you can make this recipe with pork chops! Follow the same seasoning and cooking steps, but keep in mind that pork chops generally cook faster than chicken, especially if they’re boneless. Bake bone-in pork chops at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes (flipping halfway through), or until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Brush with BBQ sauce and broil for a few minutes at the end for that delicious sticky, caramelized finish. Just watch closely so they don’t dry out—pork chops are leaner than chicken thighs or drumsticks, so they can overcook quickly. Enjoy!
Best bbq chicken I ever made. So favorable, juicy and tender😋