Making juicy, flavorful barbecued chicken thighs in the oven is easier than you think! With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can enjoy tender and delicious bbq chicken thighs without having to fire up the grill.
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Prepare the Chicken
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. This helps ensure the barbecue sauce and spices stick to the meat.
- Arrange the thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Make sure the thighs aren’t touching each other.
Make the BBQ Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, olive oil, honey, paprika, and garlic powder until fully combined.
- Use a spoon or brush to generously coat the top of each chicken thigh with the barbecue sauce mixture.
Bake the Chicken
- Bake the chicken thighs for 20 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Carefully flip over each chicken thigh so the skin-side is down. Brush the back of each thigh with more barbecue sauce.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 15-20 more minutes, until the chicken is completely cooked through and the juices run clear when pierced with a fork.
- If the chicken browns too quickly during cooking, tent foil loosely over the baking sheet to prevent burning.
- Let the bbq chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the bbq chicken thighs hot, warm, or at room temperature. They pair perfectly with classic barbecue sides like cornbread, coleslaw, baked beans, or a fresh garden salad.
- Leftovers will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave as needed.
Tips
- For extra flavor, let the chicken marinate 1-2 hours in the barbecue sauce before baking.
- Use your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce. Sweet, smoky, or spicy all work great.
- For crispy skin, start the thighs skin-side down on a hot baking sheet before flipping and basting with sauce.
- Try using chicken drumsticks too. Adjust baking time as needed.
- Serve with extra barbecue sauce for dipping.
With this easy oven method, you can enjoy finger-lickin’ good barbecue chicken any night of the week! The key is basting the thighs with a flavorful homemade or store-bought barbecue sauce as they bake. In no time, you’ll have juicy, saucy and delicious bbq chicken thighs to please any crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I bake bbq chicken thighs at?
Bake bbq chicken thighs at 400°F to ensure the skin gets crispy and the meat cooks through fully. Higher temperatures may cause the sauce to burn.
How long should I bake bbq chicken thighs?
Bake bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for 35-40 minutes total. Bake for 20 minutes skin-side up, flip, brush with more sauce and bake 15-20 more minutes. Adjust time as needed for thicker thighs.
Can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs. Reduce baking time to 25-30 minutes total since they cook faster than bone-in. Monitor carefully to avoid overcooking.
What kind of barbecue sauce is best?
Use any store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce you like. Sweet, spicy, tomato-based, vinegar-based – they all work great!
Should I flip the chicken halfway through?
Yes, flipping the thighs halfway through ensures the chicken browns evenly and cooks through fully. Brushing the second side with sauce adds more flavor too.
Can I make them on the grill instead?
Absolutely! Bbq chicken thighs are great grilled too. Cook over indirect heat for 25-35 minutes, basting with sauce and flipping occasionally.
Can I prepare them in advance?
You can bake the chicken a day ahead. Let cool completely, then refrigerate. Reheat gently before serving. The sauce may thicken, so you may need to add a splash of water when reheating.
Making succulent bbq chicken thighs in the oven is easy, convenient, and delicious. With a few pantry staples and a couple easy steps, you’ll have a flavorful meal the whole family will love.