Main Dish
Amazing Cooking BBQ Chicken in the Oven 
... from Aunt Sandy's Kitchen
- Serves: 6 to 8 servings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking: 35 to 40 minutes
Oven Baked BBQ Chicken is an easy family dinner made with bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces, a simple homemade dry rub, and your favorite barbecue sauce. The chicken bakes until tender, then gets brushed with sauce for that sweet, sticky, caramelized finish.
This recipe gives you the flavor of barbecue chicken without standing over the grill. It is a good choice for Sunday dinner, summer holiday meals, church suppers, potlucks, or any night you want a hearty main dish with simple ingredients.
🛒 Ingredients
Dry Rub (single batch)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Line a baking pan or cookie sheet with heavy-duty foil for easier cleanup.
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
- Drizzle the chicken lightly with olive oil.
- In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
- Season the chicken pieces with the dry rub, coating them evenly.
- Place the chicken skin side down on the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and carefully flip each piece over.
- Brush the chicken with a generous coating of barbecue sauce.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Brush the chicken with a second generous coating of barbecue sauce.
- For extra caramelization, broil for 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully so the sauce does not burn.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy!
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Recipe Notes
- Cooking times may vary depending on your oven and the size of the chicken pieces.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
- Chicken thighs and drumsticks usually stay juicier than chicken breasts.
- For a smokier flavor, use smoked paprika in the dry rub.
- For less heat, leave out the cayenne pepper.
- This recipe can also be grilled, but it will need closer attention and more frequent saucing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?
Yes, but boneless chicken will cook faster. Start checking the internal temperature early so it does not dry out.
When should I add the barbecue sauce?
Add the barbecue sauce during the last part of baking. If you add it too early, the sugar in the sauce can burn before the chicken is fully cooked.
Can I make this BBQ chicken ahead of time?
Yes. Bake the chicken, let it cool, and refrigerate it in a covered container. Reheat gently in the oven and brush with a little extra sauce before serving.
What sides go well with oven baked BBQ chicken?
This chicken goes well with potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, corn casserole, macaroni and cheese, green beans, or a simple garden salad.
Can I broil the chicken at the end?
Yes. Broiling for 1 to 2 minutes helps caramelize the barbecue sauce, but watch it closely because it can burn quickly.
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