This Baked BBQ Chicken Breast recipe is a fast and easy 30-minute dinner that the whole family will love. The chicken is covered in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, then baked until perfectly juicy and caramelized. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and can be made healthy with low-sugar BBQ sauce.
If you love recipes that are healthy, kid-friendly, and easy to make this Baked BBQ Chicken Breast recipe is just for you. This chicken is smothered in a tangy, sticky BBQ sauce that is so tasty! It’s packed with protein and completely gluten-free, plus it can be made with low-sugar or sugar-free BBQ sauce for a healthier dinner.
Want to make it a full meal? Serve with our Garlic Parmesan Baked Potato Wedges or our Healthy Potato Salad. Check out more side suggestions below.
Why this Chicken Breast recipe is great
- A handful of simple ingredients. You only need a few ingredients and you likely have them on hand already.
- Fast and easy. You can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes with this recipe. It’s so simple to make, perfect for busy days.
- Delicious! Baked BBQ Chicken Breast is juicy, tender, and covered in the most flavorful sticky BBQ sauce.
Ingredients you’ll need
This is just a list of ingredients you will need to make the Baked BBQ Chicken Breast. Full measurements are listed further down below.
Chicken breasts
Avocado oil
Seasonings: smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and white pepper
Kosher salt
BBQ sauce
how to make baked bbq chicken breast
- Preheat the oven to 375° F. Then grease a casserole dish with a bit of oil.
- Season chicken: Place the chicken breast into a large Ziploc bag. Add oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, and salt. Shake well until fully coated with oil and spices.
- Add BBQ sauce and bake: Next, place the chicken into the prepared dish. Brush the breast with half of the BBQ sauce and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes. (Flip the chicken breasts 15 minutes in onto the other side and let it cook for another 15 minutes.)
- Flip and add more sauce: After 15 minutes (halfway through baking) flip the chicken and brush again with the BBQ sauce and continue to bake until cooked through.
- Serve: Once done, remove from the oven. Slice and serve warm with the remaining BBQ sauce.
Tips and Substitutes
- Chicken: Try to use chicken breasts that are close in size so that they bake evenly. You may use boneless chicken thighs.
- Avocado oil: You can also substitute with canola oil, olive oil, or grapeseed oil.
- Smoked paprika: You can also use regular paprika, but smoked paprika adds a lot more flavor.
- White pepper: Substitute with ground black pepper if needed.
- BBQ sauce: For a healthier dinner, choose a low-sugar or sugar-free BBQ sauce.
faqs
Chicken drumsticks cook differently than chicken breast. To make drumsticks, try this Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
The easiest way to know if your chicken is done is to test it with a thermometer. Once the thickest part of the breast reaches 165 degrees, the chicken is ready to eat. Be careful not to overcook the chicken or it will be dry.
Store this chicken in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through.
What to serve with BBQ Chicken
You can serve this Baked BBQ Chicken Breast with any easy sides you like! For a well-rounded meal, choose a vegetable, healthy grain, and serving of fruit to go with the protein-dense chicken. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Potatoes: Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges or Healthy Potato Salad
- Mac and cheese: Vegan Mac and Cheese or Buffalo Mac and Cheese
- Roasted veggies: Roasted Garlic Cauliflower or Roasted Smoked Sweet Potatoes
- Rice: White Rice on the Stove or some Cauliflower rice for a low carb option.
- Fruit: Fresh seasonal fruit or Easy Mixed Berry Fruit Salad
more easy chicken recipes
- Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Creamy Cajun Chicken
- Honey Mustard Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Thai Basil Chicken
- Baked Cashew Chicken and Veggies
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Baked BBQ Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken breasts about 1.5 lbs. total
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil plus more to grease the pan
- 1 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F. Grease a casserole dish with a bit of oil.
- Place the chicken breast into a large Ziploc bag. Add oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, and salt. Shake well until fully coated with oil and spices.
- Next, place the chicken into the prepared dish. Brush the breast with half of the BBQ sauce and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes total.
- After 15 minutes into baking the chicken breasts, flip the chicken and brush again with the BBQ sauce and continue to bake until cooked through. for a total of 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F.
- Once done, remove from the oven. Slice and serve warm with the remaining BBQ sauce.
Video
Notes
- Chicken: Try to use chicken breasts that are close in size so that they bake evenly.
- Avocado oil: You can also substitute with canola oil, olive oil, or grapeseed oil.
- Smoked paprika: You can also use regular paprika, but smoked paprika adds a lot more flavor.
- White pepper: Substitute with ground black pepper if needed.
- BBQ sauce: For a healthier dinner, choose a low-sugar or sugar-free BBQ sauce.
- Storage: Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
- Cook time: Cook the chicken breast for a total of 30 minutes. 15 minutes into baking, flip the chicken, and coat with more BBQ sauce.
Casie Weigold says
Delicious!
Hank says
So delicious. I made with sugar free BBQ sauce and it was so good! Will definitely make this again.
Rena says
Thanks for the feedback Hank
Cynthia Lyman says
Boy this was delicious. I varied the recipe by using honey, hot sauce and BBQ sauce. It made my Memorial Day Weekend fantastic.
julies kitchen says
This was so good and easy too! Great recipe!
Can I prepare ahead of time and then cook later?
Thank you.
Rena says
yes!
Courtenay Bourret says
Our go to chicken dinner from now on. It’s even great without the BBQ sauce
Rena says
So awesome!
Natalie says
I was so pleasantly surprised by how this came out. Very easy, already has all the ingredients. and came out so juicy! Thank you!
Rena says
Perfect!
Shira Sorensen says
Hi! Do you know of a great tasting sugar free BBQ sauce, that’s either organic or non gmo? Thanks!
Courtenay Bourret says
Thrive Market has one called Good Food for Good. It’s USDA organic and sugar free. You may be able to find it on Amazon
Bri says
I recommend G Hughes sugar free bbq sauce! You can buy it at target or walmart and other stores like those. Affordable! There are many different flavors as well!
Debra Alverson says
Perfect
Rena says
Thanks Debra
Christina says
This is the best bbq chicken I’ve ever had. It was so flavorful and juicy. I cooked it for about an hour total.
Rena says
Nice. Glad you loved it
Bri says
Love this recipe so much! It’s my go to now for simple yet delicious bbq chicken! And without the guilt!! Thank you!
Rena says
Thank you. I am so glad you love it
Cassie says
My go to BBQ chicken recipe. Always comes out tender and delicious! Thank you!
Rena says
Thanks for the feedback.
Bo says
Cooked covered or uncovered.
Rena says
Uncovered. But you can cover it if you like and for the last 8-10 minutes uncover it. I hardly every cover chicken when baking
Sierra says
Is this recipe for whole chicken breasts or halves?
Rena says
If you consider one whole chicken breast that comprise of 2 half parts then its half
Melanie says
This was delicious!! Took a little longer to cook but chicken always varies. Such a easy, simple but absolutely delicious recipe. I’ll definitely be making it again
Rena says
amazing. glad you loved it
Annette says
Planning to bake in a convection oven. Should I cover for a portion of the time so the fan doesn’t dry out the chicken?
Rena says
Hi. You could do that. It won’t hurt
Tari says
I love this recipe! The chicken always comes out so juicy, tender, and delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Rena says
Perfect! Thanks for the review
Jackie says
Making this, a second time. It’s delicious!
Rena says
yay
Greg Steele says
I usually don’t comment but this was delicious. I do consider myself an above average cook and am impressed this only took a few simple steps
Rena says
Thank you Greg. This comment made my day
Joan A Johnson says
ARE THE CHICKEN BREAST TENDER?
Tari says
Very!
Lolly Rudolph says
I love this recipe … thank you very much for sharing
Rena says
Thank you. Glad you loved it.
Meg says
Why in the word does it say there are 1672 mg of sodium per serving in this? The recipe only calls for 1/2 tsp kosher salt for the whole thing which is only 560 mg. If it’s the bbq sauce (I make my own without salt so no idea how much sodium is in commercial sauce) then this really isn’t a “healthy” meal as one serving would account for 70% of your daily sodium.
Rena says
Hi. Yes, it could be picking it up from the BBQ sauce.
Suzanne Dailey says
I have a question; I’m a little confused about the cooking time. First, times are listed as 10 mins for prep and 20 minutes to cook. Then in the directions, you say to cook for 30 minutes. then after 15 minutes turn the chicken and bake until cooked through. So… if I understand, I cook for 15 mins, turn, baste and bake for… another 15? Less?
Thank you in advance!
Rena says
Hi There. The total bake time is 30 minutes. So yes, after the first 15 minutes, flip it. Depending on the thickness of the chicken breast, it may need a bit more time.
Beck says
I am not new to cooking, been cooking family dinners since I was 9. I am now 35 and one of my hobbies us reading recipes in n books, magazines and on the net. I don’t often cook a recipe untwined I saw this recipe and thought YES!
Lauren says
Hi there. Do you think adding sliced onions would be okay to add to the chicken?
Rena says
Yes why not. Yummy
Lorraine Scott says
Going to try this tonight. But it says 30 minutes but the total cookies time is 45 minutes. A bit misleading
Rena says
That’s including the prep time. It will need 30-40 minutes of bake time in the oven depending on your oven.
Bake says
Made this recipe for Sunday dinner. The chicken was delicious. I took my favorite barbeque sauce and added 1/3 cup brown sugar. That made it spicy, sweet, and juicy.
Rena says
thank you