How to BBQ Chicken in the Oven - Outdoor Cabinets

Introduction

Barbecued chicken roasted in the oven can be just as delicious as chicken cooked on an outdoor grill. Baking chicken in the oven allows you to achieve that charred, smoky barbecue flavor in the convenience of your own kitchen. With just a few simple steps and ingredients, you can make juicy, tender oven-baked barbecue chicken any time you crave it.

Benefits of BBQ Chicken Baked in the Oven

Baking BBQ chicken in the oven has several advantages:

Convenience – No need to fire up the grill outside. Just preheat your oven and you’re ready to cook. Great for rainy days or if you don’t have access to an outdoor grill.
Temperature control – Oven baking gives you more precise control over cooking temperature compared to grilling outdoors. This helps ensure the chicken cooks through evenly.
Versatility – Oven BBQ chicken works for bone-in chicken pieces, boneless breasts, wings, kebabs, etc. You can bake an entire chicken or just portions.
Moist and tender results – Oven roasting locks in juices so the baked chicken stays moist, while the barbecue sauce glazes the outside for finger-licking results.
Less mess – Oven baking contains the smoke, grease splatters and barbecue sauce drips. There’s minimal cleanup needed compared to grilling.

If you’re looking for delicious barbecue flavor for chicken dinners, oven-roasted BBQ chicken is definitely worth trying. Now let’s get into how to make it…

Ingredients Needed

Baking juicy BBQ chicken in the oven starts with having these ingredients on hand:

Chicken

Bone-in or boneless – Your choice of bone-in chicken pieces like drumsticks, thighs, wings, split breasts, etc. Or go boneless with chicken breasts, tenders or thighs.
Skin on or off – Leave the skin on for crispy barbecue glazed exterior. Remove skin to lower fat if preferred.
1.5 – 2 pounds of chicken – This provides enough for 4 servings. Adjust amount as needed.

Barbecue Sauce

Thick, sticky sauce – Choose a Kansas city, Memphis, Carolina style or your favorite regional BBQ sauce. The thicker, stickier sauces work best.
About 1 cup per 1.5 pounds chicken – You’ll baste and glaze the chicken with sauce during baking.

Seasonings

Barbecue rub – 1 to 2 tablespoons of a spice rub adds flavor. Use commercial rubs or make your own.
Salt and pepper – Season chicken with salt and pepper before baking.
Other seasonings – Such as smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, etc.

Oven Prep

Cooking spray – For coating pan to prevent sticking. Can use oil instead.
Aluminum foil – To loosely tent chicken and trap in heat if needed.

Now that you know what you need, let’s get baking!

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps for oven barbecue chicken with crispy skin and moist, tender meat:

1. Prepare the Chicken

Wash chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Remove skin from boneless chicken if desired.
Season all over with dry spice rub first. Coat both sides.
Salt and pepper the chicken pieces liberally on all sides. This flavors the meat and crisps the skin.
Let sit 10 minutes so seasonings adhere before baking.

2. Prepare Baking Sheet and Preheat Oven

Coat baking sheet with oil or spray. This prevents chicken from sticking.
No need to oil skin-on chicken. The skin prevents sticking.
Preheat oven to 375°F to 400°F. Higher heat crisps the skin.

3. Bake Chicken Pieces

Arrange chicken skin-side up on sheet. Leave space between pieces.
Bake 25-35 minutes until browned and cooked through. Thicker cuts take longer.
Brush with barbecue sauce during last 10 minutes to glaze and char.
Tent loosely with foil if chicken browns too fast. Continue baking until done.

4. Make it Crispy!

For ultra crispy oven-baked barbecue chicken:

Broil 2-3 minutes after baking to crisp the skin. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Increase oven temperature to 425°F and bake an extra 10 minutes for crunchier skin.
Coat with panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes before baking for an extra crispy coating.
Deep fry chicken for 1-2 minutes at end to make it extra crispy. Drain on paper towels.

The broiler or a short fry at the end really makes the skin crispy and adds texture contrast against the juicy meat.

5. Brush on Sauce Just Before Serving

Apply a final coating of barbecue sauce just before serving. This preserves the crispy skin instead of softening it.
Mix sauce with melted butter for a richer glaze.
Toss boneless chicken in sauce right before serving for coated, saucy pieces.

Now you’ve got finger-lickin’ oven barbecue chicken ready to enjoy! Let’s take a look at some serving suggestions and extra tips…

Serving Suggestions

Oven-baked barbecue chicken pairs deliciously with various sides:

Baked beans – Classic barbecue side. Choose sweet brown sugar or spicy chili beans.
Coleslaw – Cool, creamy cabbage slaw balances the chicken.
Corn on the cob – Grill or roast corn with spices to complement the barbecue flavor.
Mac and cheese – Rich and cheesy, it soaks up the barbecue sauce beautifully.
Potato salad – Cool, tangy potato salad is a perfect summertime accompaniment.
Biscuits or cornbread – Buttery, warm biscuits or sweet cornbread for serving the chicken on or dipping in the sauce.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your pairings! The saucy barbecue chicken works with all types of sides.

Extra Tips and Tricks

To take your oven barbecue chicken to the next level:

Marinate chicken 1-2 hours (or overnight) before baking for extra moist meat. Use barbecue sauce, buttermilk, Italian dressing or other marinades.
Make barbecue chicken kebabs – Alternate chunks of chicken with onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, pineapple, etc.
Use a barbecue grill pan – The raised grill ridges add char lines similar to grilled chicken.
Smoke chicken on grill first – Get smoky flavor by smoking chicken 30 minutes then finish baking with barbecue sauce glaze.
Rotisserie attachment – Use this oven accessory to evenly roast and self-bast chicken all over.
Shred oven-baked chicken to pile on sandwiches, nachos or salads. Leftovers make amazing pulled barbecue chicken.

The options are endless for deliciously saucy oven barbecue chicken meals!

Common Questions

Still have some questions about making barbecue chicken in the oven? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How long should I bake bone-in chicken legs and thighs?

Bake bone-in chicken legs and thighs for 35-40 minutes at 375°F. The bone will help conduct heat to cook the meat thoroughly. Brush with barbecue sauce during the last 10 minutes.

Can I use a rub and barbecue sauce?

Absolutely! Double up on flavor by coating the raw chicken with a spice rub first, then glazing it with sticky barbecue sauce later in the baking process.

What’s the best cut for oven BBQ chicken?

Chicken thighs and drumsticks work wonderfully since the bone keeps them moist and they handle high heat. Boneless skinless breasts need more care to prevent drying out.

Is it better to bake or broil barbecue chicken?

Baking cooks the chicken through gently while broiling crisps up the outside. Bake first then broil 2-3 minutes at the end for the best results.

Should I flip the chicken halfway through baking?

Flipping boneless chicken halfway ensures even cooking. Bone-in chicken can bake skin-side up the entire time since the bone conducts heat to the bottom side.

Can I use an instant-read thermometer?

Yes, always use a thermometer to confirm chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165°F. Insert into the thickest part without touching bone.

Still have questions? Feel free to ask in the comments!

Conclusion

With this complete guide, you have everything you need to make juicy barbecue chicken right in your own oven. The key steps include seasoning the raw chicken, baking at 375°F to 400°F until cooked through, basting with sticky barbecue sauce and broiling at the end for crispy skin. Pair with classic barbecue sides and enjoy finger-licking oven-baked barbecue chicken any night of the week, rain or shine. For even more flavor inspiration, try regional barbecue sauces like tangy Carolina mustard BBQ sauce, sweet and spicy Korean BBQ or traditional Kansas City classic. The possibilities are endless for customizing oven barbecue chicken to suit your tastes. Now get out there, fire up that oven and start barbecuing!