Juicy, tender, and bursting with smoky-sweet flavor, this Easy Oven Barbecue Chicken is the perfect weeknight dinner solution! Featuring bone-in thighs and drumsticks rubbed with a flavorful blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and spices, this dish gets its irresistible caramelized finish from a generous coating of your favorite barbecue sauce. The magic happens in the oven, where the chicken develops beautifully crisp skin while staying wonderfully moist on the inside. With just 10 minutes of prep and no need to fire up the grill, this recipe delivers all the flavors of classic BBQ chicken with minimal effort. Perfectly portioned to serve four, itβs a crowd-pleaser for family meals or casual gatherings.
Preheat your oven to 400Β°F (200Β°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet.
Pat the chicken thighs and drumsticks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the skin crisp up during baking.
In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken pieces, then rub the spice mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken.
Place the chicken pieces on the prepared wire rack, skin-side up, to allow air to circulate underneath for even cooking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the chicken from the oven and generously brush the barbecue sauce over each piece, coating them completely.
Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165Β°F (74Β°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
For extra caramelization, switch the oven to broil and cook for 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side if desired.
Calories |
2635 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 149.8 g | 192% | |
| Saturated Fat | 36.3 g | 182% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 762 mg | 254% | |
| Sodium | 5910 mg | 257% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 115.2 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.8 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 90.6 g | ||
| Protein | 187.3 g | 375% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.6 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 205 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 11.0 mg | 61% | |
| Potassium | 2746 mg | 58% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.