Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts

Course Chicken, Main Course

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword barbecue-split-chicken-breasts, oven-bbq-chicken-breasts

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Resting time 5

Total Time 1

Servings pieces

Calories 407kcal

Author Melissa Sperka

4 bone-in chicken breasts with skin Around 3-4 lbs
3 Tbsp barbecue seasoning plus additional for dusting (i.e. Barbecue Magic or McCormick Smokehouse Maple)
1/2 tsp garlic salt use more or less to taste
1/4 tsp onion powder
2-3 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup prepared barbecue sauce (i.e. Sweet Baby Rays Sweet & Spicy or similar)

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment. Remove moisture from the split chicken breasts, patting dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl mix together the barbecue seasoning, garlic salt, onion powder and olive oil. Rub on all sides of the chicken breasts. Loosen the skin and rub under the skin. Dust the tops with additional seasoning, if desired.
Place chicken on the prepared baking sheet pan skin side up and into the oven. Bake for 35 minutes.
Remove from the oven and drain liquid from the pan. Use tongs to lift pieces then brush chicken liberally on all sides with barbecue sauce.
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the juices run clear and an instant read thermometer registers 165 degrees f..
Increase the oven to broil. Char for 2-3 minutes just until the crispy skin is charred and the sauce is bubbly. BBQ sauce has a lot of sugar and sugar burns so don't walk away.
Allow chicken breasts to rest chicken on the counter for 5 minutes, then serve.

Boneless Chicken Breasts: The baking time in this recipe is for bone-in chicken. You could adapt this recipe using boneless 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. A thicker bbq sauce works best.
Homemade BBQ Sauce: 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.
Use a Quality BBQ Seasoning: This chicken will only be as flavorful as the seasoning and barbecue sauce used. Use a quality blend that's your favorite.