Kentucky Style Oven Barbecued Chicken
Get ready to savor the smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors of Kentucky Style Oven Barbecued Chicken, a mouthwatering twist on classic Southern barbecue. This easy-to-make recipe features tender, bone-in chicken thighs seasoned with a flavorful blend of paprika, salt, and black pepper, then seared to golden perfection. The star of the dish is the homemade Kentucky-style barbecue sauce, made with ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and a hint of Dijon mustard, delivering a bold, rich glaze. Baked in the oven to juicy, caramelized goodness, this chicken is perfect for casual weeknight dinners or backyard gatherings. Pair it with coleslaw, cornbread, or your favorite comfort sides for a true taste of Southern tradition—all without firing up the grill! Keywords: Kentucky style barbecue chicken, oven baked chicken recipe, Southern barbecue chicken, juicy baked chicken thighs, homemade barbecue sauce.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 pieces Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoons Black pepper
- 1 teaspoons Paprika
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 cup Ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoons Cayenne pepper (optional)
- 0.25 cup Water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or lightly grease with cooking spray.
In a small bowl, mix the salt, black pepper, and paprika. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken thighs.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip and sear the other side for another 2-3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet, skin-side up.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and water. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the barbecue sauce thickens slightly.
Brush half of the barbecue sauce generously over the chicken thighs.
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.
Halfway through baking (around 20 minutes in), brush the chicken with more barbecue sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Serve the chicken with any remaining barbecue sauce on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
582 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.0 g | 47% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.9 g | 45% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 160 mg | 53% | |
| Sodium | 1442 mg | 63% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.9 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.3 g | 1% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.7 g | ||
| Protein | 36.1 g | 72% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 47 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 470 mg | 10% | |
*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.
