Barbecued chicken is a favorite summer meal. The smoky, sweet and spicy flavor of BBQ chicken is hard to beat when you want a quick and easy dinner. But knowing exactly how long to bake BBQ chicken can be tricky. Follow this guide for tips on how long your BBQ chicken needs to bake so that it turns out moist and delicious every time.
What Temperature and How Long to Bake Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Boneless skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice for BBQ chicken because they cook up quickly and evenly. Here are some guidelines for how long to bake boneless chicken breasts:
- 350°F for 20-25 minutes – This is the most common baking time and temperature. Bake for 20 minutes if the breasts are on the thinner side, up to 25 minutes for thicker breasts. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- 400°F for 15-18 minutes – Baking at a higher temperature decreases the cooking time. Check for doneness after 15 minutes.
- 325°F for 25-30 minutes – If you prefer a slower bake, decrease the heat to 325°F. This will ensure the chicken doesn’t dry out.
- Do a pan sear first – For extra flavor, you can sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side before baking. Then bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes until cooked through.
No matter what temperature you bake boneless chicken breasts at, always rely on a meat thermometer to determine doneness rather than just baking time. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, making sure it doesn’t touch bone.
How Long to Bake Chicken Legs and Thighs
Chicken legs and thighs have more fat and connective tissue than breasts, so they require a longer baking time to become tender. Here are some tips:
- Bake bone-in, skin-on thighs and legs at 375°F for approximately 40-50 minutes.
- Decrease baking time to 35-40 minutes for boneless, skinless thighs and legs.
- Season the chicken before baking for maximum flavor. Try a dry BBQ rub or marinade.
- Flip the chicken pieces over halfway during baking to ensure even cooking.
- The juices should run clear when chicken legs and thighs are pierced with a fork or knife when fully cooked.
- Check chicken legs and thighs with a meat thermometer to confirm they reach 165°F internally before removing from the oven.
How Long to Bake Chicken Wings
Chicken wings cook more quickly than other cuts of chicken. Follow these guidelines for perfectly cooked BBQ wings:
- Oven Temperature: Bake wings at 400°F. This high heat helps render the fat and crisp the skin.
- Baking Time: Plan on 40-50 minutes for whole chicken wings. Cut wings may only need 25-30 minutes.
- Sauce: Baste the wings with BBQ sauce during the last 10-15 minutes only. This prevents burning.
- Tip: You can deep fry or air fry wings first before baking to really crisp them up. Then bake just to glaze in sauce.
Always check that chicken wings reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F. The skin should be sizzling and browned when they are fully cooked.
How Long to Bake a Whole BBQ Chicken
For special summer meals and gatherings, a whole barbecued chicken can feed a crowd! Here’s how long you’ll need to bake a whole BBQ chicken:
- 4-5 pounds: Bake at 375°F for approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Over 5 pounds: Increase baking time to 1 hour 30 minutes up to 1 hour 45 minutes for a very large chicken.
- Pat the chicken dry and loosen the skin before rubbing the BBQ seasoning under and on top of the skin. Try inserting slices of garlic and herbs under the skin too.
- Tie the legs together with kitchen string to hold everything in place if desired.
- Bake the chicken uncovered for crispy skin. Add barbecue sauce during the last 30 minutes only to prevent burning.
- Check that the thickest part of the breast and thighs reach 165°F internally before removing from the oven.
- Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
The size of the chicken is the biggest factor in determining how long to bake it. A meat thermometer is the best way to confirm doneness.
How Long to Bake Turkey Breast
For a smaller summer BBQ, a boneless turkey breast can easily feed 6-8 people. Bake turkey breast as follows:
- Bake at 350°F. Plan on approximately 15 minutes per pound.
- So a 3-4 pound turkey breast bakes for 45 minutes up to 1 hour.
- Rub the turkey with barbecue seasoning before baking for tons of flavor.
- Check the internal temperature, aiming for 165°F before removing from the oven.
- Cover loosely with foil to prevent over-browning if needed.
- Allow to rest for 15 minutes after baking before slicing for juicy meat.
Tips for Moist and Tender Baked BBQ Chicken
To prevent dry, overcooked BBQ chicken, keep these key tips in mind:
- Brine it – Soaking chicken in a saltwater brine ensures seasoned and moist meat.
- Pat it dry – Blot chicken pieces with paper towels before baking to crisp the skin.
- Use a rub – Coat chicken in spices, herbs and seasoning blends before baking. They’ll form a flavorful crust.
- Don’t overcrowd – Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer with space between to allow air circulation.
- Resist opening the oven – Don’t peek while baking, which causes heat loss.
- Let it rest – Allow baked chicken to rest 5-10 minutes before cutting for juicy results.
Following proper baking guidelines and using a meat thermometer are also keys to perfect chicken every time.
Common Questions About How Long to Bake BBQ Chicken
If you’re new to baking barbecued chicken, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How long does it take to bake chicken legs at 375?
Bone-in, skin-on chicken legs bake for approximately 40-50 minutes at 375°F. Boneless thighs take 35-40 minutes. Check temperature.
What temperature do you bake chicken wings?
400°F is the ideal oven temperature for baking chicken wings. The high heat renders fat and makes the skin crispy.
Should you bake chicken wings covered or uncovered?
For crispy skin, bake wings uncovered. Tenting foil over the wings initially can help them cook through faster.
How long does it take to bake a 2 pound whole chicken?
Figure on baking a 2 pound whole chicken for about 1 hour and 10 minutes at 375°F. Always check internal temperature.
What temperature should you bake a whole chicken at?
375°F is the most common temperature for baking a whole chicken. Higher heat risks burning the outside before the inside cooks through.
Should you brine chicken before baking?
Yes, brining keeps baked chicken incredibly moist and infuses tons of flavor into the meat. Even 30 minutes can make a difference.
What’s the minimum safe internal temperature for baked chicken?
Cook all cuts of chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured using a meat thermometer for food safety.
Baking Safely
When working with raw chicken, be sure to follow these safety guidelines:
- Wash hands and cooking tools after handling raw chicken. Avoid cross-contamination.
- Use separate cutting boards and plates for raw chicken vs. cooked.
- Bake immediately after seasoning chicken. Don’t let it sit out at room temperature.
- Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Discard if left out longer.
Following proper food handling procedures helps protect you and your loved ones.
Delicious BBQ Baked Chicken Recipes
Try out these tasty recipes for your next baked barbecue chicken meal:
Baked BBQ Chicken Legs
- 12 chicken legs, skin on
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Mix spices together and rub over chicken legs.
- Arrange on baking sheets sprayed with non-stick spray.
- Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Brush with barbecue sauce.
- Bake 20 minutes more until sauce caramelizes.
Sweet and Spicy Baked Wings
- 5 lbs chicken wings, tips removed
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- Combine brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle over wings.
- Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, flip wings over halfway.
- Mix honey and hot sauce. Brush over wings last 10 minutes of baking.
BBQ Whole Chicken
- 1 whole chicken, 4-5 lbs
- 1/2 cup barbecue rub
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Fresh rosemary and garlic (optional)
- Loosen skin from chicken breast and rub seasoning under skin. Put rosemary and garlic under skin.
- Coat chicken all over with dry seasoning rub.
- Bake at 375°F for 1 hour 20 minutes until 165°F.
- Brush with barbecue sauce last 30 minutes.
The possibilities are endless for creating your own signature BBQ chicken recipes! Get creative with spice rubs, glazes and sauces.
Conclusion
Perfectly baked BBQ chicken takes a little finesse when it comes to temperature and cooking times. Boneless breasts, bone-in thighs, wings and a whole bird all require different approaches. While specific baking times can vary based on the size and cut of the chicken, using a meat thermometer is foolproof. Aim for the FDA recommended safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F. Allowing the chicken to rest before serving also locks in juices for a tender, mouthwatering backyard BBQ feast.