Baked BBQ Chicken with Sweet and Sticky Glaze
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Baked BBQ Chicken is the best way to enjoy BBQ chicken all year round. I use only two ingredients and have perfected our baking method so the chicken turns out juicy, with the best sweet, sticky glaze every time!
This is a recipe I make at least once a month, so I’ve had plenty of time to get it just right. Over the years, I’ve tried several cooking methods, but this one consistently delivers the best results.
Here’s why you’ll fall in love with baked BBQ chicken: it gets coated in a thick, sticky glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven, while the chicken underneath stays tender and juicy. The recipe is almost hands-off—pop it in the oven, flip it once, then finish with a quick broil. You can use my favorite homemade BBQ sauce or whatever bottle you already have in the fridge. Either way, it’s sweet, saucy, and downright delicious.
Ingredients to gather
One of the things I love most about this recipe is the SUPER short ingredient list. It’s the recipe that I reach for when I don’t feel like cooking.
- Chicken Thighs: To make this recipe, you’ll need bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. If you don’t like the skin, rub some BBQ sauce underneath it to flavor the meat, but keep it on for baking. The skin will help protect the meat and keep it nice and juicy.
- BBQ Sauce: The bottle you have in your fridge will do just fine! For a flavor that is a bit unique, you can try my bourbon BBQ sauce.
What cut of chicken is best for this recipe?
Chicken thighs! Specifically, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs will yield tender, juicy chicken with a deliciously sticky glaze. Drumsticks work well, too.
Boneless chicken thighs cook very quickly, so if you use them, the BBQ sauce won’t have a chance to caramelize fully. They’ll be good, but not as good. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are best!
If your family enjoys chicken breasts, I recommend my baked BBQ chicken breast recipe.
What to serve with oven baked BBQ chicken
Simple sides are best with BBQ chicken as this recipe will be the star of the show. Here are a few of our favorites:
Veggie sides:
How to store BBQ baked chicken
Leftover chicken can be stored in a sealed container in your fridge for 3-4 days. I enjoy it sliced and served cold over a salad for lunch. Or warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave with a little extra BBQ sauce.
Baked BBQ Chicken with Sweet and Sticky Glaze
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce (divided (see notes))
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a bowl and pour ½ cup of the BBQ sauce over top. Mix to combine then set aside while your oven heats. Or leave it to marinate in the fridge for up to 4 hours.8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. For easy cleanup, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chicken on the baking sheet skin side down. (Reserve any extra BBQ sauce left in the bowl.) Bake the chicken for 25 minutes.
- Flip the chicken over and baste the top with the BBQ sauce that was in the marinating bowl. Return to the oven and bake for another 25 minutes.
- Turn your oven to broil. Baste the top of the chicken with the remaining ¼ cup of BBQ sauce and broil for 3-5 minutes until the top is dark and caramelized. Keep a close eye on it and remove the chicken sooner if it starts to get too dark.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Super simple and chicken turned our great.
Excellent recipe Kristen!! This is now my 3rd time using this recipe and thought a great review is in order. Can not wait to try your other recipes.
I never write reviews but I do depend on them for a good recipe so I thought I’d rate this.. this chicken was delicious and so easy.. I followed the recipe exactly and was not disappointed!
Cooking at the same time makes skin too charred. But flavor is good. May be better with skinless chicken thighs
Delish, easy to make 😋
should i still broil with bonelsss? they’ve been cooking for 20ish min
Boneless thighs will take about 12-15 minutes to cook. Broiling them for the last few minutes is what makes the sauce caramelize and turn extra delicious!
Kristen, thank you for the delicious recipe! That was a remarkably quick lunch to prepare. The meal isn’t only light, but it also takes the bare minimum of ingredients, making it ideal for hectic days. The ultimate result was tasty, tender, and juicy chicken that enticed your tastebuds.
Seriously? This is the best fricken chicken! Moist and soooo yummy, and no screwing around with the grill and worrying about timing and heat and best of all- how dried out it might be. And the lemony garlic spuds were amazing.
What is th temp. For baking?
425 Fahrenheit 🙂
My kitchen filled with smoke. Skinless, basted chicken was good, but skin was just charred. I removed once it was done cooking.
On grill outside is better if you have loved ones with asthma.
Made this recipe for Sunday dinner. The chicken was delicious. I took my favorite barbque sauce and added 1/3 cup brown sugar. That made it spicy, sweet, and juicy.
This was really good! I marinated it for about 2 hours. It was crispy and delicious. Thanks for a great recipe.
Will this recipe work with boneless chicken breasts? Any adjustments in cooking temp or time required?
This is the recipe you want to use for chicken breasts: https://www.theendlessmeal.com/baked-bbq-chicken-breast/ 🙂
OMG! So easy and so delicious! I was feeling lazy with some chicken thighs that needed cooking and this recipe fit the bill and more.
Great recipe!!
Do not put the chicken skin side down on tin foil! If you do I advise that you add some cooking spray. I followed the directions and the skin stuck to the foil. Otherwise it’s a great recipe.
Tin foil is sticky! That’s why we recommend parchment paper. 🙂