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Oven Baked BBQ Chicken

This Oven Baked BBQ Chicken is sweet, savory, and smoky with a delicious homemade BBQ sauce and so easy baked up in the oven!
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Servings 8
Author Plum Street Collective

Equipment

  • large rimmed baking sheet
  • wire cooling rack to be placed into baking sheet
  • aluminum foil
  • basting brush
  • meat thermometer

Ingredients

Homemade BBQ Sauce

  • 1⅓ cups ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2½ tablespoons white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt (divided)
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Chicken

  • 2-3 lbs chicken thighs (boneless or bone-in)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 420°F.
  • Line your rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (I like to do 2 layers because it can get sticky). Place your wire cooling rack inside this rimmed pan and set aside.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the ketchup, brown sugar, maple syrup, Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt, and all the other seasonings.
  • Whisk well over the heat to combine, and continue to whisk until it comes to a simmer. Continue whisking over the heat as it bubbles for 2-4 minutes.
  • Place the chicken in a large bowl and toss with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. Add 3/4 cup of the BBQ sauce and toss to coat the chicken evenly.
  • Using tongs, remove the chicken pieces from the bowl one by one and place on the prepared baking pan / wire cooling rack.
  • Use a basting brush to coat the chicken with 1/3 of the remaining BBQ sauce.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, then remove pan from oven, flip the chicken over with tongs, and coat the other side with 1/2 of the remaining sauce.
  • Bake for another 20 minutes, then remove from oven and flip it over one more time.
  • Add the remaining BBQ sauce, and place back in the oven with the Broiler turned on low, and broil to brown 4-5 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and test the internal temp of the chicken - it should be at least 165°F.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes before serving, and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
  • (Stores well for up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.)