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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe
Chicken can be marinated for up to 24 hours, but any longer than that, the marinade can affect the texture of the chicken.
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.
Yes, boneless chicken can be used, but bone-in chicken breasts will give you the moistest, most flavorful chicken.
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
Super Moist Oven Baked BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in Chicken Breast Halves
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ยฝ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ยฝ-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.
WILMA says
I just made this recipe using chicken breast and I was mindful of the cooling time to not dry it out and it turned out delicious. Thank you for the recipe;)
Angelica says
Do you cover the chicken with aluminum foil? Or just let it bake open?
Donna Youngblood says
I have a couple of questions:
1. You say to put the chicken breasts on a baking sheet. But it looks like you have them on parchment paper. Should I use parchment paper?
2. Should I ever turn the chicken breasts over or should they always stay on the same side?
I'm anxious to try your recipe. Thanks for posting.
.susan says
How about in frying pan on top of stove instead of oven. Would it work
Heather Cheney says
I wouldn't suggest it. You next even heat all around the chicken to keep it moist and to help cook it evenly.
rachel says
How would I adjust this recipe to be made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts?
Andrea says
Great recipe! I used boneless skinless chicken breasts and it was very moist (unlike my usual chewy offerings....) Thanks so much!
Heather says
Haha, love that you called your other chicken "chewy offerings". So glad it turned out good!
Tiarra says
I am making this recipe with chicken legs. I let them marinade over night and they smelled sooooo good when I placed them on the cookie sheet! I only have about 20mins of basting left and I so can't wait to try these bad boys.
Heather says
Hope they turned out well! ๐
Willow says
I am trying this with a whole chicken, I hope it works out! Sounds great.
Sara says
Oops...I didn't mean to put my email on there for everyone to see...is there a way to take it off?? Thanks! Also, I had to use regular paprika because that is all this momma had and it still turned out yummy!
Christian says
Im glad to read that because I plan on using regular paprika too and was a little worried it wouldnt come out the same lol
Sara says
I found your recipe just by Googling for a baked BBQ chicken recipe...I needed to use what I had in the fridge. I even had to do it with boneless skinless chicken breast because that was all I had. And, it was awesome!! Flavor was awesome and it was so juicy! My kids ate all of theirs and my 4 year old had two more helpings of chicken! We had none left over. That never happens. Thank you so much for posting your recipe...I have found something that the whole family will eat and loves ๐
Sara Reno
saramil24@hotmail.com
Vera says
I really wanna do this I have everything except olive oil.. will it work if I use mazola con oil instead?
Heather says
Absolutely, corn oil would work just fine.
Eva says
very good taste
sophie says
Reviewed&Rewrite, forgot to do that before my post. Yes, your right about the sharp bone part. I am using your great recipe for drumsticks. Thanks.