Boneless Chicken Thighs, a tangy spice rub, a quick bake to keep them juicy and a slather of bbq sauce make this Oven Baked Barbecue Chicken a KEEPER!

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This Oven Baked Barbecue Chicken is one of my favorite easy go-to dinners. I know “oven-baked” and “barbecue” don’t really go together if you’re a pitmaster, but luckily no one else really minds oven barbecue chicken!

Oven Barbecue Chicken

It starts with boneless skinless chicken thighs which get a sweet and tangy spice rub. Then they’re baked up juicy in the oven and topped with a favorite barbecue sauce and lightly baked until the sauce is just set. This is an oven barbecue chicken recipe you don’t want to miss!

Ingredients for oven bake barbecued chicken.

What kind of chicken is best for Baked barbecue chicken?

You can choose ANY cut of chicken you and your family like. Here are my thoughts on the different cuts and preparations of chicken:

Boneless Skinless Thighs are small enough to cook quickly get not get tough from over cooking

Boneless Skinless Breasts can turn out dry when baked it’s something to be aware when you’re paying that much for chicken. You can cut them in strips if you want them to cook quicker.
Bone-In Chicken Breasts are a large cut of meat and will require a much longer cooking time. That extended cooking time can dry out the meat
Bone-In Thighs with skin will also require a longer cooking time. They remain juicy when baked for a longer time and will work fine. Just cook until a thermometor reads 165˚.
Drumsticks will work just fine, cook them for about 25-30 minutes.
Chicken Tenderloins will work just fine as well. They cook up quickly so be ready to sauce them soon after you begin baking them.

What kind of sauce do I use for Oven Barbecue Chicken Thighs?

The best part of this recipe is that will you use my rub for the chicken spice rub, you use ANY kind of barbecue sauce you like on the chicken. I used Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce.

Store-bought is great, homemade is great like this Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe from Feast for a Fraction, or make up a spicy sauce like the one for my Sriracha Chicken Wings.

Oven Barbecue Chicken with a salad on the side.

What Spices are in the spice rub for Baked Barbecue Chicken?

Spice mix for oven baked barbecue chicken.

This is similar to the spice rub I use for the Air Fryer Barbecue Pork Chops, except I switched the paprika to smoked paprika for a smokier flavor.

Barbecue chicken thighs baked in the oven.

You’ll need:

brown sugar
onion powder
garlic powder
smoked paprika
chili powder
salt
pepper
cinnamon

What to serve with this Oven-Baked Barbecue Chicken?

Try this recipe for Air Fryer Corn on the Cob. Or these Texas Road House Rolls from Organized Island! Or maybe even this BLT Pasta Salad??

Oven Baked Barbecue Chicken

4.48 from 46 votes

Boneless Chicken Thighs, a tangy spice rub, a quick bake to keep them juicy and a slather of bbq sauce make this Oven Baked Barbecue Chicken a KEEPER!

Course: Dinner Recipes

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 35

Servings: Thighs

Calories: 242kcal

Author: Laura

Print Recipe

Equipment

Ingredients

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs roughly 1 1/2 pounds
3 TBSP oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp chili powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tps cinnamon
1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions

preheat oven to 400˚
line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil
pat chicken dry and place in a mixing bowl
toss with the oil
mix the spice blend together rub it into the chicken pieces
place on prepared baking sheet
bake in the preheated oven 20-25 minutes or until the chicken hits 160˚ on a meat thermometer
pull the chicken out, brush with barbecue sauce
bake for 5 more minutes or until the thermometer says 165˚
serve hot