Description
This Baked BBQ Chicken recipe offers a delicious way to enjoy flavorful, tender chicken with a smoky barbecue rub and tangy sauce. Perfectly cooked in the oven and finished under the broiler for caramelized edges, this dish is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend barbecue.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces or boneless skinless chicken breasts
Seasoning and Sauce
- 1/3 cup barbecue chicken rub
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Start with any cut of chicken you'd like: bone-in chicken with skin, skinless chicken, or boneless skinless chicken breasts. Pat the chicken dry thoroughly to help the rub adhere.
- Apply the spice rub: Pat the chicken with the barbecue chicken rub until all sides are evenly coated. Let it rest for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors while you preheat the oven to 425ºF.
- Prepare the baking setup: Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place an oven-safe wire baking rack on top. Arrange the seasoned chicken pieces on the rack skin-side up to allow even cooking and airflow.
- Bake the chicken: Depending on the chicken cut, bake accordingly: bone-in drumsticks bake 15 minutes then flip and bake 10 minutes; bone-in thighs or breasts bake 15 minutes then flip and bake 20 minutes; boneless skinless breasts bake 10 minutes then flip and bake 10 minutes. This ensures proper cooking through.
- Broil with barbecue sauce: Flip the chicken again and generously brush barbecue sauce on all sides. Broil on high for 2-4 minutes (2-3 minutes for boneless breasts) to caramelize the glaze, creating those delicious crispy edges. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Check doneness: Verify that the internal temperature reaches 165ºF for boneless skinless breasts, or 175-185ºF for tender dark meat drumsticks and thighs before serving.
Notes
- Broiling at the end creates caramelized, slightly crispy edges similar to grilled chicken.
- Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness and to ensure food safety.
- Adjust baking and broiling times if using larger or smaller chicken pieces.
- This recipe yields roughly 6 servings based on 2 pounds of chicken.
- Nutrition estimates vary by brand and ingredients; consult a nutritionist for exact information.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
