Description
This Oven Baked Barbecue Chicken recipe features juicy boneless, skinless chicken thighs coated with a smoky, sweet, and spicy homemade spice blend, baked to perfection and finished with a tangy barbecue sauce glaze. Perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers tender chicken with minimal cleanup and maximum taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (approx. 1 1/2 pounds)
- 3 tablespoons oil
Spice Blend
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Finishing
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400˚F (204˚C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry using paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl. Toss the chicken with the oil to evenly coat all pieces.
- Make and Apply Spice Blend: In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Rub this spice blend thoroughly onto each chicken thigh to ensure even coverage.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the seasoned chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160˚F (71˚C) as measured with a meat thermometer.
- Brush with Barbecue Sauce: Remove the chicken from the oven and brush generously with the barbecue sauce on all sides.
- Final Bake: Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F (74˚C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and the barbecue sauce has set.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Using a meat thermometer ensures the chicken is cooked safely without drying out.
- Chicken thighs stay moist and flavorful with this baking method.
- You can substitute the barbecue sauce with your favorite brand or homemade sauce.
- For extra smoky flavor, consider adding a small amount of liquid smoke to the spice rub.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh (approx. 85g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
