This juicy Baked BBQ Chicken recipe is seasoned with a smoky rub and slathered in tangy BBQ sauce for an easy weeknight recipe in 30 minutes!
Prep Time5 minutesminutes
Cook Time25 minutesminutes
Ingredients
2lbsboneless, skinless chicken breasts, or thighs
1teaspoonchili powder
1teaspoonsmoked paprika
1teaspoongarlic powder
1teaspoononion powder
½teaspoonsea salt
½teaspoonfreshly cracked black pepper
½cupBBQ sauce, plus more for serving
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Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a baking tray with non-stick spray or line the tray with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Make the spice rub: In a small bowl, stir to combine the chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
Lay the chicken on the baking tray and use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry. Then coat the chicken on both sides with the spice rub.
Bake the chicken, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and coat the chicken with BBQ sauce. Return chicken to the oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes more, until chicken is cooked through and an instant read meat thermometer reaches 165°F. For dark meat chicken, cook the chicken longer until it reaches 175°F to 190°F for more tender results.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the meat to relax making it more juicy and tender. Pro tip: To really up the juicy factor, cover the chicken with foil with it rests!
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Notes
Store: Transfer cooled leftover bbq chicken to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.Freeze: Let the chicken cool completely, then wrap each breast tightly in plastic wrap before placing it in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.Reheat: Reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. To prevent drying out, cover the chicken with foil while reheating. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30 second intervals, until warmed through. Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the dry rub and coat the chicken ahead of time. Store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking, which allows the flavors to penetrate the meat even more deeply.