BBQ chicken thighs are a summer time favorite recipe. Oven baked BBQ chicken thighs are an easy and delicious way to enjoy the classic barbecue flavor without having to fire up the grill. Sweet and tangy homemade bbq sauce made with simple ingredients gives them such great flavor, this recipe will become will soon become one of your new favorite chicken thigh recipes.
Why chicken thighs are perfect for oven baking
Chicken thighs are a versatile cut of chicken that is often overlooked in favor of chicken breasts, but they are perfect for oven-baked recipes because they stay moist and tender. Dark meat tends to have more fat to lean ratio, which means chicken thighs will not dry out like chicken breasts tned to do if not cooked perfectly. Chicken thighs are pretty forgiving when it comes to cooking and will still be tender and juicy even if they go over the minimum safe internal temperature a little bit.
You'll need to cook chicken thighs to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F (check with an instant-read thermometer near, but not touching the bone) to make sure the chicken is safe to eat. Allow the baked chickent thighs to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing them from the oven before serving to allow the juices to redistribute back into the meat.
Chicken thighs are generally a more affordable option than chicken breasts and have a richer flavor. This makes them ideal for oven-baking. Other chicken thigh recipes my family loves are these Lemon Ginger Chicken Thighs and Braised Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Fennel.
What kind of chicken thighs are best for making oven baked bbq chicken thighs?
This bbq chicken recipe is best with bone-in, chicken thighs with skin. I perfer bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe because I think the bone and the skin give it much more flavor. I also think the skin helps keep the chicken thighs stay juicy and gives the barbecue sauce something to cling to. If you don't like skin, you can remove the skin simply by pulling it off (it's very easy to do with chicken thighs. If you do remove the skin, you can skip browning the skin in a skillet before placing in the oven and just place directly into the oven.)
You can also swap the bone-in thighs for boneless skinless chicken thighs. For boneless, skinless thighs you will not only skip the browning step on the stove top, but you will also need to reduce the bake time accordingly. No matter what kind of chicken thigh you use, you will still need to bake the chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Can I use chicken breasts in this oven baked bbq chicken recipe?
You can make this recipe with chicken breasts, but you will need to make sure you only cook the chicken breasts to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and allow a 3-5 minute rest to allow the juices to redistribute. If you cook the chicken beyond the 165 degree F internal temperature, you might end up with dry and tough chicken. Chicken breasts are very lean. Bone-in chicken breasts with skin will be your best choice for this recipe if you must use chicken breasts.
You can skip the step for browing the skin in a skillet if you are using chicken breasts and adjust the cooking time as needed. For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you will skip the browning step and bake to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, taking care to not over bake. If you are looking for a quick and easy boneless skinless chicken breast recipe, I love this quick and easyrecipe for making pan fried chicken breasts.
Can I use chicken drumsticks in this oven baked barbecue chicken recipe?
Yes, you can make this recipe with chicken drumsticks. Again, you can skip brownig the skin in the skillet and start them straight away in the oven and cook to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, adjusting bake time as needed.
Do I need to use the homemade bbq sauce from this recipe or can I substitute my favorite bbq sauce from the store?
I prefer to use this homemade barbecue sauce in this recipe for a couple of reasons:
- This homemade sauce is a sticky bbq sauce that is thick and is the type of barbecue sauce that adheres to the bone-in chicken thighs pretty well. Store-bought sauce (like Sweet Baby Ray) tends to be a little thinner and might slide off the chicken. But if you are short on time or lack all the ingredients, you could skip making homemade bbq sauce and use your favorite barbecue sauce from the store in this recipe.
- When you make homemade bbq sauce you can make it to your liking. If you like spicy barbecue sauce, add a couple shakes of hot sauce. If you like smokey flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke. Less sweet? Cut back on the brown sugar.
How do you make oven baked bbq chicken thighs?
First start by gathering your ingredients: (Full amounts can be found in recipe card below)
- bone-in chicken thighs with skin
- your favorite bbq seasoning mix
- ketchup
- brown sugar
- molasses (or replace with another tablespoon brown sugar)
- spicy brown mustard
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Apple Cider vinegar
Blot any moisure off of chicken thighs with a paper towel. Season chicken thighs with about 1 tablespoon bbq seasoning. Coat both sided and rub it into and under the skin.
BBQ seasoning is a spice mixture that typically has ingredients such as brown sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder and other flavors in it. There are many brands on the market. Some are sweet, some are spicy, some are smoky. They can be used as a dry rub or a seasoning on just about anything. I am lovingTraeger bbq seasonings and rubs right now. Choose one that you enjoy the flavor of.
Make the homemade bbq sauce by combining all ingredients for sauce in a medium saucepan. Stir or whisk together on medium heat until the sauce is thick and bubbly and the brown sugar is melted. About 5 - 7 minutes. Take off heat.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Next, heat a large non-stick skillet to medium-high heat. You can add a little oil to the pan if you wish, but I find the skin on chicken thighs have enough fat to skip adding any additional oil. Place the chicken thighs skin side down into hot pan and cook for about 5 minutes per side. This step will help render some of the fat from the chicken thighs and brown the skin.
Place chicken thighs from skillet into baking dish skin-side up. Baste about half to 3/4 of the homemade bbq sauce all over the top and the sides of the chicken thighs with a pastry brush or spoon the sauce onto the chicken thighs spreading around with the back of a spoon. (Reserve extra bbq sauce for serving) .
Place baking dish into preheated oven and bake for recommended time on recipe card below or until the internal temperature taken with an instant read meat thermometer registers a minimum of 165 degrees F
Remove from oven and allow to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and keep the chicken thighs juicy.
Other methods of cooking BBQ chicken thighs
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
To make BBQ chicken thighs in the air fryer, preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Season chicken thighs as described above. Place chickent thighs in basket skin side down and spritz with cooking spray. Cook for 12 minutes (bone-in, skin on chicken thighs). Make the bbq sauce while chicken is cooking. Flip the chicken thighs over and baste with bbq sauce. Cook for an additional 12 minutes and check internal temperature with an instant read meat thermometer. A minimum of 165 degrees F means the thighs are done. Allow to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs
To make BBQ chicken thighs in the Instant pot season chicken thighs as described above. Following manufacturers directions, place about a tablespoon of olive oil into the inner pot and set the instant pot to saute function. Add bone-in, skin on chicken thighs skin side down and cook for about 4 minutes per side. Transfer chickent to plate. Turn off instant pot. Add 1 cup of chicken stock to inner pan and scrape any brown bits stuck to the bottom with a wooden spoon. Place a trivet in the pan and add the chicken, skin side up to the trivet. Close the pot making sure the steam valve is set to sealing. Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. Make the bbq sauce while chicken is cooking. Allow a 5 minute natural release, followed by a quick release. Check for a minimum internal termperature of 165 degress F. Transfer chicken, skin side up, to an aluminum foil lined rimmed baking sheet. Baste chickent with bbq sauce and place under broiler for 2-3 minutes.
Favorite side dishes for barbecue chicken thighs
I always think bbq anything should be accompanied by some sort of slaw. This Firecracker Coleslaw would go great with this bbq chicken thigh recipe. Green beans are another side dish that goes great with chicken recipes. This Copycat Cracker Barrel Green Bean recipe is a reader favorite and it's such an easy recipe. These Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes would also be wonderful with this barbecue chicken thigh recipe.
Oven-baked BBQ chicken thighs are a simple and delicious meal. This easy recipe can be customized and is perfect weeknight meal or weekend gatherings. Leftover bbq baked chicken thighs can be used in salads, sandwiches, or quesadillas for easy and delicious meals throughout the week. (Make sure to store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator!)
oven baked bbq chicken thighs, bbq chicken thighs, baked bbq chicken thighs
main dish
American
Yield: 4
Author: Renee Paj
Sweet and Tangy Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 40 MinTotal time: 45 Min
Chicken thighs basted in a sweet and tangy homemade bbq sauce then baked in your oven are an easy and delicious way to enjoy the classic barbecue flavor without having to fire up the grill.
Ingredients
- 4 large bone-in, skin on chicken thighs (around 2 or so pounds total)
- 1 TBSP BBQ seasoning/rub (such as Mccormick, Kinders, etc.)
For sweet and tangy homemade BBQ sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 1 - 2 TBSP brown mustard or Dijon mustard
- 1 TBSP molasses (or maple syrup)
- 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
- 1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 TBSP BBQ seasoning/rub (same one you put on the chicken thighs)
Instructions
- Rub about 1 TBSP of the BBQ seasoning of your choice on the chicken thighs. Making sure to get under the skin as well as on the outside of the skin. Set aside.
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Make the Sweet and tangy homemade bbq sauce: In a medium sauce pan, combine all the ingredients for the bbq sauce. Stir or whisk until combined over medium heat. Heat until thick and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Take off heat.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet to medium-high heat. (You can add a little oil to the pan if you wish, but I find the skin on chicken thighs have enough fat to skip adding any additional oil.) Place the chicken thighs skin side DOWN into hot pan and cook for about 5 minutes per side until some of the fat has rendered and the skin is starting to brown.
- Place chicken thighs from skillet into 9" x 9" baking dish skin-side UP. Baste about half to 3/4 of the homemade bbq sauce all over the top and the sides of the chicken thighs with a pastry brush or spoon the sauce onto the chicken thighs spreading around with the back of a spoon. (Reserve any extra bbq sauce for serving).
- Bake, uncovered, for about 20 - 25 minutes or until an instant read thermometer registers a minimum of 165 degrees F internal temperature.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 3 - 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
To make BBQ chicken thighs in the air fryer, preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Season chicken thighs as described above. Place chickent thighs in basket skin side down and spritz with cooking spray. Cook for 12 minutes (bone-in, skin on chickent thighs). Make the bbq sauce while chicken is cooking. Flip the chickent thighs over and baste with bbq sauce. Cook for an additional 12 minutes and check internal temperature with an instant read meat thermometer. A minimum of 165 degrees F means the thighs are done. Allow to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs
To make BBQ chicken thighs in the Instant pot season chicken thighs as described above. Following manufacturers directions, place about a tablespoon of olive oil into the inner pot and set the instant pot to saute function. Add bone-in, skin on chicken thighs skin side down and cook for about 4 minutes per side. Transfer chickent to plate. Turn off instant pot. Add 1 cup of chicken stock to inner pan and scrape any brown bits stuck to the bottom with a wooden spoon. Place a trivet in the pan and add the chicken, skin side up to the trivet. Close the pot making sure the steam valve is set to sealing. Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. Make the bbq sauce while chicken is cooking. Allow a 5 minute natural release, followed by a quick release. Check for a minimum internal termperature of 165 degress F. Transfer chicken, skin side up, to an aluminum foil lined rimmed baking sheet. Baste chickent with bbq sauce and place under broiler for 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
485.71
Fat (grams)
24.68 g
Sat. Fat (grams)
6.67 g
Carbs (grams)
43.3 g
Fiber (grams)
1.05 g
Net carbs
42.23 g
Sugar (grams)
34.98 g
Protein (grams)
24.89 g
Sodium (milligrams)
781.27 mg
Cholesterol (grams)
141.61 mg
Nutritional Information is an estimate.
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