Description

Tender, juicy chicken thighs are baked until golden, then slathered in BBQ sauce and broiled to caramelized perfection. This recipe captures all the flavor of outdoor grilling—right from your oven. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining, it’s a recipe you’ll reach for again and again. With simple pantry ingredients and a no-fuss method, you’ll get crispy, sticky, flavorful BBQ chicken every time—without firing up the grill.

Ingredients

Scale

6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1½ tsp smoked paprika
¾ cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Optional: 1 tbsp brown sugar (if sauce is tangy)
Optional: 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Optional: 2–3 tbsp chicken broth or water (for pan)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil.
Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub with olive oil.
Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a bowl. Rub seasoning over all sides of chicken.
Place chicken on the prepared pan. Add a splash of water or broth to the bottom of the pan if desired.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven, flip chicken, brush the underside with BBQ sauce, flip again, and generously coat the top.
Turn on broiler. Broil for 5–7 minutes until bubbling and lightly charred.
Add a second layer of sauce and broil for another 2–3 minutes.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Add a final brush of warm BBQ sauce before serving for extra shine and flavor.
Use a wire rack if you want even crispier skin.
Watch closely during broiling to prevent burning.
This recipe doubles easily for feeding a crowd.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Oven-Baked + Broil
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
Calories: 365
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 590mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 27g
Cholesterol: 110mg