BBQ Chicken Thighs
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These BBQ Chicken Thighs are next level. There’s something about sticky barbecue chicken that makes people lose their minds a little bit. Maybe it’s the crispy skin, maybe it’s the sweet smoky sauce caramelizing around the edges, or maybe it’s just that it smells like summer cookouts without anybody having to stand outside sweating over a grill.
BBQ Chicken Thighs
BBQ Chicken Thighs
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Either way, these baked BBQ chicken thighs disappeared fast at my house.
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The kids were acting like I’d secretly ordered takeout from some fancy barbecue place and and the best part? This recipe is ridiculously easy.
You’re basically seasoning chicken, tossing it in barbecue sauce, and letting the oven do all the heavy lifting. The skin gets crispy, the chicken stays juicy and tender, and the sauce gets all sticky and caramelized under the broiler at the end. It’s messy in the best possible way.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is one of those dinners that tastes like way more effort than it actually is. The chicken thighs stay super juicy, the barbecue sauce gets thick and glossy in the oven, and the crispy skin adds the perfect texture. Plus, it uses simple pantry seasonings and works with pretty much any barbecue sauce you already have in the fridge.
It’s also a great weeknight option because most of the cook time is completely hands-off. Throw together a quick side dish while it bakes and dinner is done.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken thighs
- Barbecue sauce
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Salt & Pepper
Step By Step Directions
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and trim away any large pieces of excess skin if needed. Drying the skin helps it crisp up in the oven instead of steaming.
In a small bowl, stir together the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken thighs and toss until evenly coated.
Pour in half of the barbecue sauce and toss again so the chicken gets nicely coated in all that saucy goodness.
Arrange the chicken thighs skin side down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Flip the chicken thighs over and brush or spoon the remaining barbecue sauce over the top. Return to the oven and bake another 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
For that sticky caramelized finish, switch the oven to broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it because barbecue sauce can go from perfect to burnt real quick.
Tips & Tricks
- If you want extra crispy skin, place the chicken on a wire rack set over the baking sheet. It helps the heat circulate around the chicken while it cooks.
- Use your favorite barbecue sauce here. Sweet, smoky, spicy, honey barbecue, they all work.
- Lining the pan with parchment or using a silicone mat makes cleanup dramatically easier, which honestly might be my favorite part of this recipe.
- Chicken thighs are very forgiving, but I still recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure they hit 165 degrees internally.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best texture. The microwave works too, but the skin won’t stay crispy.
More Delicious BBQ Recipes
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe
- BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- BBQ Chicken Nachos Recipe
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Tacos
- Baked BBQ Chicken Recipe
- See all our best BBQ recipes!
How to Make BBQ Chicken Thighs
BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 pounds chicken thighs (8 thighs)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce divided
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with foil.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and trim excess skin if needed.
- In a small bowl, mix together the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- Pour 1/2 cup barbecue sauce over the chicken and toss again until coated.
- Arrange the chicken thighs skin side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Flip the chicken thighs over and brush with the remaining barbecue sauce.
- Return to the oven and bake another 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Turn the oven to broil and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes to caramelize the barbecue sauce around the edges.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- For crispier skin, bake the chicken on a wire rack placed over the baking sheet.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken thighs.
- Watch carefully during broiling to prevent the sauce from burning.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Tools We Love
- Baking Half Sheet – I adore these baking sheets and use them pretty nearly every day!
- Basting Brush – A good silicone basting brush is a kitchen must-have.
Other Awesome Chicken Thigh Recipes
- Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
- 40 Clove Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe
- See all our best chicken thighs recipes!
What To Serve With BBQ Chicken
This chicken goes great with:
Final Thoughts
If you need an easy dinner that everybody will actually get excited about, these baked BBQ chicken thighs are it. Crispy, juicy, saucy, and packed with flavor without needing a grill or a complicated marinade.
Fair warning though: make extra. People absolutely go back for seconds with this one.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Boneless chicken thighs will cook a little faster, so start checking them around the 30 minute mark.
Whatever you love most. I’m partial to our homemade bbq sauce, but feel free to use sweet, smoky, spicy, honey barbecue, or even a bourbon-style sauce – they all work great here.
Pat the chicken dry before seasoning and don’t skip the final broil step. That’s what helps caramelize the sauce and crisp the edges.
Absolutely. You can season and sauce the chicken a few hours ahead of time and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake.
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees at the thickest part. A meat thermometer makes this super easy.
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