Description
This Oven Baked Barbecue Chicken recipe features tender, juicy boneless skinless chicken thighs coated with a flavorful homemade spice rub and finished with a tangy barbecue sauce. Oven-baked to perfection, this dish is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy barbecue chicken without the grill or smoker.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Oil
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (approximately 1 1/2 pounds)
- 3 tablespoons oil
Spice Rub
- 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 Sauce
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400˚F (204˚C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry to remove excess moisture. Place them in a mixing bowl and toss with the oil to lightly coat each piece.
- Apply the Spice Rub: In a separate bowl, mix together the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Rub this spice blend thoroughly onto the chicken thighs ensuring even coverage.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160˚F (71˚C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Brush with Barbecue Sauce: Remove the chicken from the oven and generously brush each thigh with the barbecue sauce.
- Finish Baking: 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 is slightly caramelized.
- Serve Hot: Remove from oven and serve the barbecue chicken hot for the best flavor and juiciness.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely and remains juicy.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with breasts, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Feel free to use your favorite barbecue sauce or make a homemade one for a personal touch.
- For extra smoky flavor, add a small amount of smoked paprika or chipotle powder to the spice blend.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to retain moisture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh (approximately 3 oz cooked)
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
