Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts
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Oven baked BBQ chicken breasts are an easy dinner for nights when you want barbecue chicken without firing up the grill. Boneless skinless chicken breasts get a light coating of olive oil, salt, and pepper, then bake up juicy and get brushed with BBQ sauce until sticky and glazed. It comes together quickly and is perfect for busy nights.
You only need a handful of simple ingredients, and it’s done in under an hour. Baking the chicken first, then saucing it in two rounds, builds up real barbecue flavor and keeps it from drying out.
Round out the plate with a few easy sides and dinner is done. If you need ideas, here are my favorite BBQ side dishes all in one place.
You can use my homemade BBQ sauce or your favorite store-bought brand. Either way, this is a family favorite that works for weeknight dinners and summer cookouts alike.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No grill needed. Everything bakes in the oven, so you can enjoy a barbecue dinner any time of year.
- Simple ingredients. Chicken breasts, olive oil, salt, pepper, and BBQ sauce. That’s it.
- Juicy every time. Baking first, then saucing, keeps the chicken tender instead of dry.
- Family favorite. Barbecue flavor the whole family will eat, with almost no prep.
- Great for busy nights. About 10 minutes of hands-on work and the oven does the rest.
Ingredients
This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Chicken – I use about 2 pounds, which is 3 to 4 large breasts. Boneless works great. Bone-in also works, it takes a bit longer to cook.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Helps season the chicken and keep it moist. You can use avocado oil instead.
- Salt and pepper – A little of each to season the chicken before it bakes.
- BBQ sauce – Use your favorite BBQ sauce or my homemade BBQ sauce. You’ll need about 1 cup.
- Fresh parsley – Chopped, for a little color at the end. Dried parsley works too.
How to Make Baked BBQ Chicken Breast
This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking dish with parchment paper. Add the chicken breasts.
Step 2: Coat the chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes. Tip: If you’re making homemade BBQ sauce, start it now so it can simmer while the chicken bakes.
Step 3: Brush barbecue sauce over both sides of the chicken, then bake until it reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast. This takes about 15 to 20 more minutes for large breasts, but thinner ones can finish sooner, so start checking around the 10-minute mark.
Step 4: Brush on one more coat of sauce for the last 5 minutes of baking.
Step 5: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This is a main dish, so I keep the sides simple and summery. Serve your juicy chicken alongside red skinned potato salad and baked mac and cheese for a plate that feels like a cookout. A cold Greek pasta salad rounds it out, and watermelon lemonade is an easy drink to serve alongside.
A leftover baked BBQ chicken breast is great sliced over a salad or tucked into a sandwich the next day.
Storage
Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or covered with foil in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
The chicken also freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tips for the Best BBQ Chicken
- Use a meat thermometer. Pull the chicken at 165°F. It’s the best way to keep it juicy instead of dry.
- Sauce in layers. Coating the chicken in two or three rounds builds flavor better than one heavy coat.
- Keep your sauce clean. Don’t dip your basting brush into your BBQ sauce after using it on raw chicken back.
- Let it rest. Five minutes of resting keeps the juices in the chicken instead of on the cutting board.
Additions and Variations
- Different cuts – Chicken thighs, drumsticks, or wings all work. Adjust the baking time for the cut and size.
- Broil for char – Run the chicken under the broiler for the last 1-2 mins for a caramelized edge.
- Extra sauce – Warm a little extra BBQ sauce to serve on the side for dipping.
Baked BBQ Chicken Breast FAQ
Yes. Any kind of BBQ sauce you like works here. Homemade is great if you have the time, but store-bought keeps this fast on a weeknight.
Yes, both work. Bone-in breasts and larger cuts take longer to cook, so use a meat thermometer and be sure to cook through to 165°F.
Almost always overcooking. Pull the chicken as soon as it hits 165°F and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
No. The sauce coats the chicken as it bakes, which keeps it moist and flavorful without any marinating.
More BBQ Recipes
- Slow Cooker BBQ Beef
- Barbecue Pulled Pork in the Oven
- Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket
- Crockpot Honey BBQ Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork
Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, homemade or store-bought
- chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper and add the chicken breasts.
- Coat the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Brush barbecue sauce over both sides of the chicken. Bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Brush on one more coat of BBQ sauce during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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