These juicy and tender oven Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts make a sensational entrée for a weeknight meal. They’re super simple to make using bone-in chicken breasts that are rubbed with a simple barbecue paste and baked. During the last few minutes of cooking brush each piece liberally with your favorite sweet and spicy barbecue sauce then place under the broiler to char. The result is finger licking deliciousness.

What You’ll Love About this BBQ Chicken Breasts Recipe

This BBQ chicken turns out juicy and tender using only a few simple ingredients. It comes together quickly making it perfect for weekday dinners.

Easy Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts Recipe

I’m a diehard bargain shopper in every aspect of life, especially when it comes to grocery shopping. Most weeks, I plan our meals almost entirely around what’s on sale. So when split chicken breasts show up at a great price, that’s my cue to pull out this simple, reliable oven-baked method for making tender, juicy barbecue chicken breasts at home.

This recipe is for cook’s of any cooking skill level can master that doesn’t require any special equipment. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or budget-conscious cooks. The chicken bakes low and slow in the oven, ensuring it retains moisture while developing great flavor. It’s finished with a slathering of bbq sauce and charred under the broiler for added flavor.

Add this flavorful barbecue chicken to your easy-to-make dinner rotation. Pair it with your favorite Southern style side dishes and it’s a weekday feast.

Checkout this quick list of key ingredients you’ll need to make juicy Oven BBQ Split Chicken Breasts: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

Split Chicken Breasts – Four bone-in skin-on split chicken breasts. You’ll need around 3-4 pounds.
BBQ Sauce – One cup of a thick barbecue sauce. I used Sweet Baby Rays Sweet and Spicy.
Barbecue Seasoning – Prepared barbecue rub or seasoning i.e. Barbecue Magic or McCormick Smokehouse Maple or ANY bbq spices that you enjoy.
Additional Seasonings – Garlic salt and onion powder.
Oil – Olive oil or vegetable oil.

How to Make Easy Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts Recipe

Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment.
Prep the Seasonings – In a small bowl mix together the barbecue seasoning, garlic salt, onion powder and olive oil.
Season Split Chicken Breasts – Rub on all sides of the chicken breasts. Loosen the skin and rub under the skin. Dust the tops with additional seasoning, if desired.
Arrange Chicken on Pan – Place chicken on the baking pan and into the oven.
Oven – Bake per the recipe. Remove from the oven and drain liquid from the pan. Use tongs to lift pieces then brush liberally on all sides with barbecue sauce.
Char the Sauce – Return to the oven and bake until the juices run clear. Increase the oven to broil and char the sauce onto the chicken. Don’t walk away.
Let Chicken Rest – Rest for 5-10 minutes on the counter then serve.

Kitchen Equipment to Make BBQ Chicken Breasts Baked

Large baking sheet pan.
Measuring spoons.
Pastry brush and small bowl.
Instant read thermometer.

how-do-you-make-bbq-split-chicken-breasts

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Boneless Chicken Breasts – The baking time in this recipe is for bone-in chicken. You could adapt this recipe using boneless skinless breasts or boneless chicken thighs adjusting the baking time as needed. Bone-in chicken, as called for in this recipe, takes longer to bake. Check with an instant read meat thermometer looking for 165°F internal temperature since the cooking times will differ.
Chicken Drumsticks – Can I bake a whole barbecue chicken or chicken drumsticks in the oven? Absolutely! If the kiddos prefer drumsticks, they’ll love my recipe for Honey Teriyaki Chicken using drumsticks, too.
Barbecue Sauce – You can use any brand of barbecue sauce that you like or use homemade barbecue sauce. A thicker bbq sauce works best. You can also make homemade barbecue sauce, I have a to-die-for Dr Pepper Barbecue Sauce recipe here on my website. as well as a scrumptious Chipotle Peach Barbecue Grilling Sauce that’s superb during peach season.
Adjust the Seasoning Amounts to Taste – Keep in mind when making this dish, it will be as flavorful as the BBQ seasoning and barbecue sauce that you choose to use. There are many blends readily available on the spice aisle of most grocery stores. Choose your favorite and you’ll be good to go. You can also season the chicken simply with black pepper and kosher salt.
To Salt or Not to Salt – Please note, barbecue rubs and seasonings contain varying amounts of sodium. Consider the amount of sodium in the seasoning you choose to use and adjust the amount of garlic salt using more or less to your taste. You may even opt to use garlic powder or granulated garlic in place of salt, instead.
Favorite Sides to Serve with BBQ Split Chicken Breasts – There are many classic sides that go well with barbecue. Dishes like Root Beer Baked Beans, Southern Style Cole Slaw and Cornbread Muffins just to name a few. You could also serve this chicken with green beans and potatoes, macaroni and cheese or corn on the cob.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers – Store leftover Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminum foil chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating – You can reheat gently in the microwave, in an air fryer or on a sheet pan in a preheated 350°F oven just until heated through.
Freezer – You can freeze leftovers for up to 12 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Easy Chicken Recipes to Make

You can serve these Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken Kabobs as an appetizer or an entree.
Smothered Asiago Chicken will delight your low carb diners.
Chicken Fried Chicken with pan gravy.
Serve up this marinated Grilled Chicken Sandwich for lunch or supper.
Crispy Oven Fried Parmesan Chicken is packed with flavor.
Lemon Rosemary Roast Chicken is Sunday Supper ready.
You may also like to try these Honey Barbecue Wings and Cool Ranch from Big Bears Wife for your next game day eats.

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