Oven Barbecue Chicken
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this mouthwatering Oven Barbecue Chicken recipe—perfectly tender drumsticks or thighs baked to juicy perfection and glazed with a homemade barbecue sauce that’s irresistibly tangy, smoky, and sweet. By using a simple spice rub and roasting the chicken on a wire rack, you achieve crispy skin while keeping the meat succulent. The rich, glossy sauce—featuring ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika—caramelizes beautifully in the oven, delivering smoky barbecue flavors without the need for a grill. Ready in just over an hour, this family-friendly recipe is perfect for casual dinners or entertaining, and pairs wonderfully with coleslaw, cornbread, or your favorite summer sides.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 pieces Chicken drumsticks or thighs
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 cup Ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground mustard
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place a metal wire rack on top of the baking sheet.
Pat the chicken drumsticks or thighs dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken pieces.
Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken, ensuring they are lightly coated.
Arrange the chicken pieces on the prepared rack, skin side up, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
Bake the chicken in the oven for 25 minutes while you prepare the barbecue sauce.
To make the barbecue sauce, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and ground mustard in a small saucepan. Stir well and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
After the chicken has baked for 25 minutes, remove it from the oven. Brush a generous layer of the barbecue sauce onto each piece, ensuring it's thoroughly coated.
Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the sauce is caramelized.
For extra caramelization, turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time, but keep a close eye to prevent 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.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2633 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 139.1 g | 178% | |
| Saturated Fat | 34.5 g | 172% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1116 mg | 372% | |
| Sodium | 4270 mg | 186% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 81.5 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 60.8 g | ||
| Protein | 267.8 g | 536% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 180 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 13.2 mg | 73% | |
| Potassium | 2914 mg | 62% | |
*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.
