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Easy Juicy Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

Close-up of a perfectly cooked, juicy piece of bbq chicken with a dark, sticky glaze.
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Make unbelievably juicy and tender BBQ chicken thighs using only your oven. This simple recipe creates a sticky, sweet, and smoky glaze perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless, skinless breasts)
  • 1 cup your favorite barbecue sauce (like Sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry using paper towels. This helps the skin crisp.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a simple BBQ chicken seasoning. Rub this seasoning evenly over all sides of the chicken.
  4. Place the seasoned chicken on the wire rack set over the baking sheet.
  5. In a separate small bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar to create your homemade BBQ chicken glaze.
  6. Brush about half of the BBQ glaze mixture over the tops and sides of the chicken.
  7. Bake for 25 minutes.
  8. Remove the chicken from the oven and brush generously with the remaining glaze.
  9. Return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the glaze is caramelized and sticky.
  10. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This keeps the meat tender.

Notes

  • For extra crispy skin, you can briefly switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
  • This recipe works well for meal prep; store cooled chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • If using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, reduce the total cooking time by about 10 minutes to prevent drying out.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/easy-juicy-oven-baked-bbq-chicken/