Description
This Oven Roasted BBQ Chicken recipe features juicy, tender chicken breasts coated with a flavorful blend of spices and brushed with tangy barbecue sauce. Perfectly baked to a smoky finish in the oven, this easy-to-make dish is great for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, about 1 inch thick
Spices and Sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Spice Blend: In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to create a balanced and aromatic seasoning mix.
- Season Chicken: Rub olive oil evenly on both sides of the chicken breasts to help the spices adhere and keep the meat moist during baking. Sprinkle the prepared spice blend over the chicken and rub it in thoroughly for full flavor penetration.
- Initial Bake: Place the seasoned chicken breasts onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to start cooking the chicken through.
- First BBQ Sauce Application: Remove the chicken briefly and using a pastry brush, apply half of the BBQ sauce evenly on both sides of each chicken breast. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes to let the sauce caramelize and add smoky sweetness.
- Final BBQ Sauce Layer: Brush the tops of the chicken breasts with the remaining BBQ sauce. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160°F (71°C) ensuring it is fully cooked and juicy.
- Rest the Chicken: Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting time helps redistribute the juices throughout the meat, resulting in a moist and flavorful bite.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160°F, then allow resting for residual cooking.
- Adjust spice quantities to suit your taste preferences or swap paprika for smoked paprika for extra smoky flavor.
- If desired, use bone-in chicken breasts for a juicier result, but increase baking time accordingly.
- Leftover chicken can be sliced for sandwiches or salads.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approximately 113g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
