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    Home / Recipes / Chicken

    The Best Super Moist Oven Baked BBQ Chicken

    By Heather · Published: Mar 14, 2018 · Updated: Mar 21, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links · See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Baked chicken breast on a baking sheet covered in bbq sauce

    Today we're talking about baking chicken breasts to moist, juicy perfection, smothering them with BBQ Sauce and consuming immediately! Are you ready for this deliciousness?

    Today's recipe for chicken is moist and juicy. And while we're focusing on smothering it with barbecue sauce, this preparation can be used on just about any flavor chicken you can dream up. Just marinate, season, bake and enjoy.

    Why This Recipe Works

    In a nutshell, this recipe uses bone-in chicken breasts and a flavorful marinade. Both of these things help the chicken stay moist and juicy while cooking in the oven. Then, you'll brush the chicken with bbq sauce during the last few minutes of cooking so that it forms a sticky bbq sauce topping and makes the chicken irresistible. 

    BBQ Chicken vs. Grilled Chicken

    When someone says "bbq chicken" you think one of two things, right? There's the barbeque chicken that is cooked on a grill or smoker and there's the chicken that is baked in the oven with barbecue sauce. This recipe is the latter. If you'd like some recipes for grilled chicken, try this Gorgeous Grilled Chicken recipe, my Garlic Ranch Chicken Marinade, or my go-to recipe for Basic Grilled Chicken.

    What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

    The key is to start with bone-in, half chicken breasts. Boneless and skinless chicken has its place in the poultry kingdom, but not here. We want the bone because it keeps the meat from drying out and imparts excellent flavor. Since we're smothering this chicken with BBQ sauce, I'm going to take the skin off, but I often leave it on if I'm cooking it without a sauce. Leaving it on will naturally baste the chicken as it cooks and also crisps up nicely if you like that sort of thing. I'm kind of a skin hater so even if I leave it on to cook I rarely eat it.

    half bone-in chicken breasts in package

    The Key To Moist, Flavorful BBQ Chicken

    Marinating is all about adding flavor and moisture to the meat.  I'm using a combo of olive oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika (for that smoky BBQ flavor), and minced garlic. If you don't have smoked paprika, I definitely suggest you get some! It has such good flavor and gives a nice smoky flavor to anything you add it to.

    Olive oil, paprika, fresh lemon and garlic

    How To Make Oven Baked BBQ Chicken

    Step 1.

    Start by mixing up the marinade and pouring over the chicken in a ziplock bag. I use a bag as opposed to a bowl because you don't have to use very much marinade to cover the chicken and it seems to marinate more evenly. Place in the fridge.

    Raw chicken marinating in a bag

    Step 2.

    Place the chicken in the fridge for at least an hour or up to overnight. Allowing the chicken to marinade past 24 hours could result in some funny-textured chicken though.

    Step 3.

    Take the chicken out of the marinade and place on a baking sheet. Season with liberally with kosher salt and pepper and pop in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes.

    Sprinkling salt on the marinated chicken

    Step 4.

    After 20 minutes your chicken will be about half-way done depending on the size of the breast. Brush each breast with your favorite Barbecue sauce and return to the oven.

    Brushing bbq sauce on a baked chicken breast

    Step 5.

    Repeat the application of BBQ sauce to the chicken every 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Standard chicken breasts take a total of 35-40 minutes, so 4-5 brushings with the sauce should do ya. If you have a thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the breast and remove it from the oven when it hits 165 degrees F.

    How do I get that sticky-sweet caramelized sauce on my bbq chicken?

    Taking the time to apply the sauce to the chicken at 5-minute intervals while baking results in a deliciously sticky, glazed exterior that makes me want to lick my fingers just thinking about it.

    BBQ chicken cut on a cutting board with a bottle of bbq sauce

    Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe

    How Long Should I Marinate Chicken For?

    Chicken can be marinated for up to 24 hours, but any longer than that, the marinade can affect the texture of the chicken.

    What Temperature Is Chicken Done?

    Chicken is fully cooked at 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature and insert into the the thickest part of the chicken for an accurate reading.

    Can I Use Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Instead of Bone-in?

    Yes, boneless chicken can be used, but bone-in chicken breasts will give you the moistest, most flavorful chicken.

    Does Chicken Need to Be Covered While Cooking?

    When roasting chicken, like we are here, you do not need to cover the chicken.

    Other Chicken Recipes You Might Like

    • Pesto Parmesan Chicken
    • Easy Chicken Cacciatore
    • Smothered Chicken Breast
    • Honey Dijon Chicken Thighs
    • garlic chicken thighs

    Other Popular Recipes People Really Like

    • One Pan Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
    • Chocolate Chunk Pizookie
    • Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry
    • Shoyu Chicken Recipe
    • Ranchers roast beef
    • Instant Pot Brisket

    📖 Recipe

    BBQ chicken cut on a cutting board with a bottle of bbq sauce

    Super Moist Oven Baked BBQ Chicken

    Oven Baked BBQ Chicken, baby! Today we're talking about baking chicken breasts to moist, juicy perfection, smothering them with BBQ Sauce and consuming immediately! Are you ready for this deliciousness?
    By Heather Cheney
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 1 hour hour
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings

    Ingredients

    • 4 bone-in Chicken Breast Halves
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • ½-3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    • pepper to taste
    • 1 cup favorite prepared BBQ sauce

    Instructions

    • Remove skin from chicken breast halves and place in a large ziplock bag.
    • Combine olive oil, smoked paprika, lemon juice, and garlic in a small bowl and pour over chicken.
    • Let chicken marinade for at least an hour, up to 24 in the fridge.
    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
    • Remove chicken from bag and place on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.
    • Bake for 20 minutes and brush a layer of BBQ sauce on the chicken. Return to the oven and repeat brushing with BBQ sauce every 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes longer. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when read with a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast.

    Video

    Nutrition Facts

    Serving: 1 chicken breast | Calories: 611 kcal | Carbohydrates: 30 g | Protein: 47 g | Fat: 31 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Cholesterol: 144 mg | Sodium: 1168 mg | Potassium: 689 mg | Sugar: 24 g | Vitamin A: 715 IU | Vitamin C: 4 mg | Calcium: 53 mg | Iron: 2.3 mg

    Nutrition and Food Safety Disclosure

    ARE WE FRIENDS ON INSTAGRAM?Tag me @heatherlikesfood and use #heatherlikesfood so I can see what you're making and enjoying!
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    Headshot of Heather in an apron

    Hi, I'm Heather! Want to become a rockstar cook? I’m a former chef, caterer, and culinary arts school graduate that just wants to help you make some killer food! I truly believe that with a little know-how anyone can totally rock their kitchen. Stick around for ultimate recipes of your favorite foods, cooking tips, guides, and more!

    More about me →

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    Cooking Method

    • Slow Cooker
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