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Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 84 reviews
  • Author: Beverly
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs recipe features tender, juicy boneless skinless chicken thighs seasoned with a blend of spices and coated in flavorful BBQ sauce. The chicken is oven-baked to perfection, then broiled briefly to caramelize the sauce for a sticky, delicious finish. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or casual get-togethers, this recipe yields 4 to 6 servings and combines simple ingredients with easy preparation for a crowd-pleasing meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 2 to 2 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (trimmed of excess fat)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce


Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF and position the rack in the center. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper, trimming the parchment so it doesn’t hang over the edges to prevent burning.
  2. Prepare the Chicken: Place the trimmed chicken thighs into a mixing bowl or a zip-top bag. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and season evenly with sea salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well to coat all pieces thoroughly with the seasonings.
  3. Coat with BBQ Sauce: Pour half of the BBQ sauce over the seasoned chicken and stir or toss to ensure every thigh is evenly coated with the sauce.
  4. First Bake: Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  5. Flip and Sauce Again: After 20 minutes, flip the chicken thighs over. Brush the remaining BBQ sauce on top and return the pan to the oven to bake for another 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F.
  6. Broil for Caramelization: Switch the oven setting to broil and continue cooking the chicken for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. This step caramelizes and sets the BBQ sauce, creating a sticky, flavorful glaze. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  7. Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for at least 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce if desired.

Notes

  • Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is safely cooked to 165°F internal temperature.
  • For crispier edges, you can broil a few minutes longer but be careful not to burn the sauce.
  • This recipe works well with bone-in chicken thighs; just increase the baking time to about 40-45 minutes.
  • Feel free to rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking for even cooking.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.