Description
Easy and flavorful Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs with a smoky, caramelized glaze. Juicy, crispy, and perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings—ready in under an hour! 🍗🔥
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub with olive oil and season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if using.
- Arrange on Baking Rack: Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side up on the wire rack.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake for 35 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Brush with BBQ Sauce: Remove from the oven and generously brush each thigh with BBQ sauce. Bake for another 10 minutes.
- Broil for Caramelization: Switch oven to broil and cook for 2–3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy with your favorite sides!
Notes
- Boneless Chicken Thighs: Reduce cooking time to 25–30 minutes.
- Spicy BBQ: Add extra cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Honey BBQ: Mix 1 tablespoon of honey into the BBQ sauce for sweetness.
- Oven-Fried Style: Lightly coat chicken in flour before baking for extra crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Baking,, broiling
- Cuisine: American, bbq
Keywords: BBQ chicken thighs, baked BBQ chicken, easy BBQ chicken recipe, crispy baked chicken, oven BBQ chicken