Baked BBQ Chicken – this is how I make Barbecue Chicken in the oven when I want to satisfy my craving for sticky, juicy chicken but I don’t want to fire up the BBQ. This recipe uses my quick homemade BBQ sauce – off the charts good for something so simple!
This is a one pan, quick and easy dinner. 5 minute prep, dump and bake!
Oven Baked BBQ Chicken
This recipe used to have the most generic of names – “Sticky Baked Chicken”. Nobody ever understood what it actually was, so I’d have to describe it. “It’s kinda sweet, it’s savoury, and it has this awesome glaze!”, I’d animatedly tell my friends, in a bid to convince them that had to try it.
(And well, well, well, what do you know? Convincing people they have to try a recipe is now what I do for a full time job! 😂)
It wasn’t until I started this website and I actually started cataloging my recipes properly that it dawned on me that the sauce is really just a simplified version of barbecue sauce, full length iterations of which you see in recipes like Barbecue Pork Ribs, Beef Ribs and BBQ Pulled Pork.
Half the ingredients delivers 90% of the flavour.
For a midweek meal, I’ll take that!
↑↑↑ PS Up close and personal view so you can see STICKY outside and JUICY inside!
What you need for Baked BBQ Chicken
Here’s what you need. I don’t use – nor do we need – a rub for this recipe because the chicken cooks in the BBQ Sauce so it sucks up plenty of flavour. You’ll see the process steps below!
Best chicken cuts for BBQ Chicken cooked in the oven – use bone in, skin on chicken pieces like thighs (pictured, and shown in video), legs and wings. Bone in breast / Maryland will also work here.
We need skin to get a really lovely glaze, and we need bone in pieces so they can be baked for 50 minutes so they absorb the flavour from the barbecue sauce without drying out.
How to make Baked BBQ Chicken in the oven
And here’s how to make it. See? Dump-and-bake!
OK OK, I simplified it slightly. It’s actually Dump -> Bake -> Baste -> Broil. The 3 minute broil is how we get the surface really nicely caramelised!
This oven baked BBQ Chicken is deliberately made with a barbecue sauce that is thinned out with water so:
it won’t dry out in the oven; and
to create enough sauce so the chicken absorbs the flavour as it bakes. We bake the chicken upside for the first half, then flip it for the second half so both sides get the benefit of the flavour, This is why we don’t need a rub for this recipe.
And you are going to LOVE the barbecue sauce you end up with in the baking dish! All the juices from the chicken mixes in as you bake it, so you basically end up with a world-class barbecue sauce that’s got the benefit of the ultimate home-made chicken stock!
What to serve with Baked BBQ Chicken
In the spirit of all things BBQ, I’m going to suggest classic sides for a BBQ cook out – and also some lighter alternatives just in case you’re counting your calories!
Classic creamy Coleslaw – or try our No Mayo Coleslaw (it’s excellent!) or this Cabbage Salad
Potato Salad – or this Lemon Potato Salad, or use a Yogurt Potato Salad Dressing
Corn slathered in butter
Cornbread or Dinner Rolls – for mopping
Creamy Mashed Potato – or Creamy Cauliflower Mash (for drowning in sauce)
Big leafy salad with a salad dressing
Though having suggested all those sides, it’s actually pictured above with this Green Bean Salad 😂. – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Oven Baked BBQ Chicken – with quick homemade barbecue sauce
Ingredients
Sauce (Note 1)
- 1 cup ketchup or Australian/UK tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp mustard powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp fresh black pepper
- 1 cup water
Chicken
- 1.5 kg / 3 lb chicken thighs (bone in skin on), drumsticks or wings (Note 2)
- Fresh parsley, chives or finely chopped green onions , for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F.
- Sauce: Mix all Sauce ingredients in a ceramic/glass baking dish (Note 3), then mix in water.
- Add chicken and turn to coat. Place chicken skin side down.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, turn chicken, spoon over Sauce.
- Bake for a further 30 minutes, then remove and spoon over Sauce.
- Skim off fat (optional): Tilt pan and spoon or drain off excess fat.
- Broil/grill – Change to broiler/grill on high. Spoon sauce over chicken generously, then place under grill / broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to caramelise the chicken and the sauce to thicken more. Do not walk away – this can happen quickly!
- Serve chicken, garnished with parsley or green onions, if using. Pictured in post with Mashed Potato and Green Bean Salad (minus feta).
Classic Side Dishes for BBQ Chicken
- Cornbread, Coleslaw, Potato Salad (or try this no mayo Lemon Potato Salad), Southern Baked Beans, big leafy salad with classic Vinaigrette, steamed corn with butter, bread rolls, creamy mashed potato (or Creamy Cauliflower Mash for low carb emergency!), or Potato & Gravy.
Recipe Notes:
- Ketchup – sub with Tomato Sauce (ie Aussie/UK tomato sauce, not what US calls “tomato sauce”)
- Cider vinegar – can sub with white wine, sherry or champagne vinegar, OR 2 tbsp normal white vinegar
- Onion powder – sub garlic powder or 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- Mix sauce WITHOUT water
- Use 1 kg / 2 lb breast or boneless thighs
- Follow the cooking directions in this recipe – Sticky Baked Chicken Thighs. ie coat with 2/3 sauce, bake on high, baste with remaining sauce & broil/grill to finish.
- Pan – light scrubbing will be required to clean! So either use glass/ceramic OR metal pan lined with foil then parchment/baking paper.
- Sauce thickness at end depends one many factors eg – how snug the chicken is in the baking dish, how juicy / fatty the chicken is, oven accuracy. But very easy to adjust – too thick, add splash of water, too thin, return just the pan to the oven for a minute or two (thickens super quickly)
Nutrition Information:
Originally published October 2016. Given a much needed spruce up with new photos and new video, as well as an update on Life of Dozer!
Life of Dozer
When my brother took Dozer out for a walk. This is why I trained Dozer NOT to give slobbery kisses!!! 🤢
And from the original publication date:
Dashing inside when he heard / smelled / his sixth sense told him there was FOOD ready to be photographed.
I have made several of your recipes and have enjoyed them very much!! Easy to follow and tasty too!! Plus, I love seeing your posts about Dozer!
Love that you enjoy seeing Dozer! N xx
Please be careful with Dozer. It scares me when I hear a dog ate something out of the confines of their own home.
There are all kinds of weirdos out there and some are weird and evil enough to put poison in bread.
I hear you Jeanette! I have the same fears 🙁 That’s actually why I taught Dozer to “finish” so he will even let go of a giant meaty bone if I give him that command. Unfortunately when it comes to food, he only obeys me!! (Also my brother is just a total softie inside when it comes to Dozer and he gives him treats constantly so basically, Dozer knows he’s a weak spot so he has NO respect for him 😂)
This is easy and really good. A favorite with everyone.
Glad you love it to Diana! N x
Please realize that I am expressing my opinion and in no way am I disrespecting you. As soon as I see the word ketchup in a recipe component I go on to the next page. I have an aversion to this condiment just on principle of sugar being its main raison d’être, a way of getting people to enjoy something by adding sugar.
Hi Zen! I take absolutely no offence at all, in fact I WELCOME it when people share their opinions 🙂 I have opinions about certain foods too! N x
What does bone in breast/Maryland under best chicken cuts to use mean exactly?? I’m from Maryland and don’t know what it means.
Hi Norma! Maryland is what we call the cut of chicken when the drumstick is attached to the thigh, so it’s kind of a big “V” shape, if you can imagine that? It’s very good value here in Australia! N x
We call them “leg quarters” here in NE USA. I’m making your chicken as we speak Nagi. Love your site and use your recipes all the time. You’re a gem!
Thank you for replying so quickly. I wonder why it’s called a Maryland cut? Weird or no?
As far as I know Norma, it refers to a historic dish associated with Maryland 🙂
If I don’t have a broil option what should I do?
Hi Leslie, do you have a top element in your oven that you could put on? N x
As a single, don’t bake chicken in the oven too often but I can taste this on my palate without having tried the recipe ! Now I cannot see why this should not taste yum as well served cold (?) and would that not make for a few tasty ready lunches !! Hot, don’t be shocked, I would probably pile it on hokkien noodles and add a few green salad leaves ’cause one must 🙂 !
Yes 100% Eha! It’s so versatile!! N x
Would you believe this recipe appeared in my emails the evening I had already prepped my chicken drumsticks for the kids! Next time I guess, my made up recipe was similar but not as good as yours!
I hope you give this one a shot Christy! N x
Hi Nagi just wanted to say that I love your recipes. I’m not one to spend much time in the kitchen and your recipes are easy to put together and super tasty. Thank you so much. I look forward to each new recipe. From one dog lover to another, much love and blessings. Susan x
Thanks so much Susan!! N x
Hey can I make this sauce on the cooker to thicken and put this over as a side over chicken screws
Chicken screws??? I haven’t tried in the slow cooker but you’d need it simmering for it to thicken – I don’t think you’ll achieve this in the slow cooker unfortunately Hajra. N x
Maybe skewers? 😊
I LOVE your recipes Nagi, and your approachable writing. Thanks, I gonna try this one too.
“I’m”😁
Tasty and tender! Thanks!
I’m so glad you loved it Akilah!
Easy and yummy! The perfect recipe! Thx Nagi.
You’re so welcome John!
I love everyone of the recipes you have plubished! I have my chicken in the stove as I write this,smells fantastic. I noted that Dozer had surgery recently. Hope he’s feeling better. Please post his recovery on Facebook,love that dog! Only second to your amazing recipes!
Hi Colleen, his surgery was some time ago and he’s doing just fine! Thanks so much for thinking of him and I hope you loved the chicken!
Surgery? What happened? This Vet Tech wants to know!! Glad he is mending. <3
I used unfrozen skinless boneless chicken thighs and it didn`t turn good, my sauce is like soup and chicken has not been cooked throw. I gave 4**** not less because I don`t want hurt your feelings. You are doing great Job!
I’m sorry to hear that Kate. It sounds like it needed to cook longer if your chicken was not cooked AND the sauce wasn’t thickened, do you know if your oven runs a bit weak??
Made this for dinner tonight. Another winner! Farm fresh corn on the cob and green beans were the perfect accompaniment to the chicken. Yum!
That’s terrific to hear Sandra! I’m so pleased to hear that. 🙂 N xx
Hi Rebecca! Easiest is to remove the chicken and rest it on a plate then put the pan back in the oven 🙂 Sometimes if chicken has been frozen or injected with brine then it can leech excess water 🙂
Can I use any kind of chicken, like breast or the strips?
Hi Monica, this works best with the specified thighs, needs the cook time 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi,
Looks so yummy! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Plan to make this for dinner tomorrow and LOVE garlic so was wondering if I can add fresh garlic along with the onion powder?
Thank you!
By the way, I also love seeing photos of your dog, Dozer. He’s adorable!
So glad you like seeing photos of Dozer!!! Though anti-dog people probably find it a big turn off!!! Yes to adding extra garlic 🙂 1 clove is probably enough!
Yay for extra garlic – thanks, Nagi!
I’m definitely an animal lover! Especially adorable doggies!
6 pm over here in Vancouver so I’ll be starting dinner soon… excited!
Will definitely come back to let you know how it turned out. 🙂
Turned out beautifully and delicious!
Definitely a keeper! Thanks again for another yummy recipe, Nagi. 🙂
I’m so thrilled to hear that Maggie! Thank you for letting me know – N x
Wow,I made shredded beef.its perfect I really like it
Hi!! You made shredded beef with this recipe?? 🙂 N xx