Description
This Baked BBQ Chicken recipe offers a simple, flavorful way to prepare juicy chicken with a smoky barbecue rub and sauce, finished under the broiler for a caramelized glaze similar to grilled chicken. Perfect for a quick and delicious dinner using bone-in or boneless chicken.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces or boneless skinless chicken breasts
Seasoning
- 1/3 cup barbecue chicken rub
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken dry whether using bone-in pieces with skin or boneless skinless breasts to ensure the seasoning sticks well.
- Season the chicken: Thoroughly coat all sides of the chicken with the barbecue chicken rub. Let the chicken rest for 15 minutes while preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Set up for baking: Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place an oven-safe wire baking rack on top. Arrange the seasoned chicken pieces skin-side up on the rack to allow even heat circulation.
- Bake the chicken: For bone-in drumsticks, bake 15 minutes, flip and bake 10 more minutes. For bone-in thighs or breasts, bake 15 minutes, flip then bake 20 minutes. For boneless skinless breasts, bake 10 minutes, flip then bake 10 minutes.
- Apply BBQ sauce and broil: Flip the chicken again, brush with barbecue sauce, then broil on high for 2 to 4 minutes (2 to 3 minutes for boneless breasts) to caramelize the glaze. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Check doneness: Ensure boneless skinless breasts reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. For dark meat like thighs and drumsticks, cook until internal temperature reaches 175 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal tenderness.
Notes
- Broiling at the end creates a caramelized, slightly crispy finish much like grilling.
- Cooking times vary by chicken cut; use a meat thermometer for best results.
- The nutrition estimate is based on 6 pieces of chicken total, serving size 1 piece each; actual values differ by ingredient brands.
- For extra flavor, let the rubbed chicken rest longer before baking if time allows.
- Use an oven-safe wire rack to allow fat to drip away and promote even cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 4.8 oz)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
