How to Bake BBQ Chicken

Introduction

BBQ chicken is a classic summertime favorite. The sweet, smoky barbecue flavor combined with juicy, tender chicken is hard to beat. Learning how to properly bake barbecue chicken at home may seem intimidating, but it’s easier than you think. With a few simple steps and ingredients, you can make restaurant-quality bbq chicken in your own oven.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything you need to know to bake flavorful, fall-off-the-bone bbq chicken. You’ll learn pro tips for choosing the right chicken, making the barbecue sauce, proper baking techniques, and how long to cook chicken for the best results. With this foolproof bbq chicken baking method, you’ll be able to impress family and friends with your own homemade barbecue chicken.

How to Choose the Right Chicken for Baking BBQ

Choosing the right chicken is an important first step to baked bbq chicken success. Here are some tips:

• Whole chicken vs pieces – Whole chickens work very well baked bbq style. You can also use bone-in chicken breasts, legs or thighs. Boneless skinless breasts can dry out, so they are not recommended.
• Skin-on – Bake the chicken skin-on for maximum flavor and moisture. The skin gets deliciously caramelized from the bbq sauce.
• Size – For whole chickens, choose 3-4 lbs sizes. For bone-in pieces, 8 oz is a good size.
• Air-chilled – Opt for air-chilled chicken if possible, as it tends to be juicier than water-chilled chicken.
• Free-range and organic – Free-range and organic chickens will have the best flavor. though they cost a bit more, it’s worth it for homemade bbq chicken.

How to Make Simple BBQ Sauce for Baked Chicken

Making your own bbq sauce is easier than you think. You likely have most of the ingredients you need already on hand. Here is a simple homemade bbq sauce recipe perfect for baked bbq chicken:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Whisk together all of the ingredients until smooth. Taste and adjust any seasoning if needed. You can also try adding a dash of smoked paprika or chipotle powder for extra flavor.

The sauce can be used right away, but for best flavor let it chill in the refrigerator overnight for the flavors to meld. Store leftover bbq sauce in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

How to Prepare the Chicken for Baking

1. Wash the chicken and pat it completely dry with paper towels. Make sure to remove any giblets from inside a whole chicken.
2. Season all over with salt and pepper. You can also rub the chicken with a little olive oil or vegetable oil for better browning.
3. For whole chickens, tie the legs together with butcher’s twine. Tuck the wing tips under. This helps keep the shape intact as it bakes.
4. For bone-in pieces, arrange evenly in a baking dish. Try not to overcrowd.
5. Generously coat the chicken on all sides with plenty of the barbecue sauce.
6. Let it marinate for 10-30 minutes to allow the sauce flavors permeate. You can skip this step if short on time.

How to Bake Barbecue Chicken Perfectly

Baking bbq chicken takes some technique for perfect, fall-off-the-bone meat. Follow these professional tips:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. You’ll need sustained moderate heat to bake the chicken through without burning.
• Use a roasting pan or baking dish. This allows the chicken to cook evenly. Place a wire rack in the pan to elevate it out of the fat and juices.
• Roast bone-side down first for a whole chicken. Flip it over halfway through. This allows even cooking.
• Bake for 1-1 1/2 hours depending on size, until the juices run clear and a meat thermometer reads 165°F. bone-in pieces take less time.
• Brush with bbq sauce every 20 minutes to keep moist and build up an irresistible caramelized layer.
• Rest for 10 minutes before serving. The juices will redistribute through the meat.
• Save the pan juices to make an easy bbq sauce or gravy if desired. Just strain out the fat first.

Common BBQ Chicken Baking Questions

If you’re new to baking bbq chicken, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How long does it take to bake bbq chicken?

• Whole chickens (3-5 lbs) take 1 to 1 1/2 hours in a 375°F oven.
• Bone-in breast or thigh pieces bake in 45-55 minutes.
• Testdoneness by cutting to ensure no pink juices. Chicken should reach 165°F.

Should the chicken be covered or uncovered while baking?

• Bake bbq chicken uncovered for crispy skin. Tenting with foil halfway through prevents burning.

What temperature should bbq chicken bake at?

• Bake at 375-400°F. Higher heat risks drying out the meat. Moderate oven temp allows even cooking.

Can you bake frozen chicken with barbecue sauce?

• It’s best to thaw chicken fully before baking bbq style. But if in a rush, add 15-20 extra minutes to the baking time.

What sides go well with baked bbq chicken?

• Baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread, mac and cheese, and potato salad are all great sides. Steamed broccoli also balances out the meal.

Time to Enjoy Juicy Baked BBQ Chicken!

Learning how to properly bake bbq chicken may take some trial and error to master, but the results are well worth it. With a few easy tricks for choosing and prepping the chicken, making a simple homemade barbecue sauce, and using the right baking method, you can make restaurant-worthy bbq chicken at home any night of the week.

The sweet and tangy barbecue flavor, combined with tender, juicy meat and crispy skin is sure to make this baked chicken a new family favorite. Enjoy bbq chicken fresh out of the oven or as leftovers all week long. Don’t be surprised if this recipe makes it into your regular dinner rotation!