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This Baked BBQ Chicken Breast recipe is a fast and easy dinner that the whole family will love. The chicken is covered in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce and then baked until perfectly juicy and caramelized. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and can be made with low-sugar BBQ sauce.
If you love recipes that are light, kid-friendly, and easy to make this Baked Chicken Breast with barbeque glaze is just for you. The 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 or even use a homemade BBQ sauce for a lighter option. My kids love it as much as they love this pesto chicken recipe and I think you might also like my baked BBQ chicken drumsticks.
Want to make it a full meal? Serve with my Garlic Parmesan Baked Potato Wedges or my Healthy Potato Salad.
Recipe Overview
Before you get started
→ You do not have to use chicken breasts. This can be swapped with boneless and skinless chicken thighs or another type of protein that you prefer.
→ Don’t overcook the chicken breasts! Listen, the ovens will vary, and the size of the chicken breast you are using will also vary, and thus the time it will take for the chicken breast to cook through will vary. Expect anywhere between 40-50 minutes.
→ Make ahead: Marinate the chicken breasts the night before. It will save a bit of time.
→ Consider adding some veggies. For the last 20 minutes of the bake time, add in some broccoli florets or green beans (rinse and season ahead with salt and pepper).
Frequently asked questions
Chicken drumsticks cook differently than chicken breasts. To make drumsticks, try this Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
I like using a food thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, and 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 airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through.
Yes. If you prefer using boneless and skinless chicken thighs, you can. Just keep in mind the nutritional value change.
Yes. You can use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce. There are many great low-sugar options out there now.
Ovens vary, and the size of the chicken breast you use plays a factor in the bake time. In my oven, they needed 40 minutes until they reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
Ingredients needed
This is just a list of ingredients you will need to make this dish. Full measurements are listed further down below in the recipe card.
- Chicken breasts: If you prefer using boneless and skinless chicken thighs, you can. Don’t like chicken? Use salmon fillets.
- Avocado oil: You may use avocado oil or whatever oil you have on hand.
- Seasonings: smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and white pepper
- Kosher salt
- BBQ sauce: you can get a good low-sugar store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own at home. Check out my Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe.
How to make baked BBQ chicken breast
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Then grease a casserole dish with a bit of oil.
1️⃣ Season the 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.
✏️ You can do this ahead or even the night before and let it just marinate.
2️⃣ Add BBQ sauce and Bake
Next, when ready to bake the chicken, remove it from the ziploc bag and place it into the prepared dish. Brush the seasoned chicken breast with half of the BBQ sauce (could be homemade or store bought) and bake them in the oven for about 40-50 minutes.
✏️ Flip the chicken breasts 20 minutes in onto the other side, brush again with the BBQ sauce, and continue to bake until cooked through (about another 20 minutes). In my oven they needed 40 minutes, yours may need another 10 minutes. Also, to check for doneness, use a food thermometer and check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken breast. Once it reaches 165°F, it is ready.
Once done, remove from the oven. Slice and serve warm with the remaining BBQ sauce.
What to serve with Barbecue Chicken
You can serve this barbecue Chicken with any sides you like! For a well-rounded meal, choose a vegetable, a grain, and a serving of fruit to go with the protein-dense chicken. What you can serve it with:
- 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
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: To store leftovers, place them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: You may either reheat them in the microwave or a preheated oven for 5-7 minutes. Feel free to add more BBQ sauce if needed.
Baked BBQ Chicken Breast
Video
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 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F. Grease a casserole dish with a bit of oil. About one tablespoon.
- Place the 4 large chicken breasts into a large Ziploc bag. Add the remaining one tablespoon of the 2 tablespoons avocado oil, 1 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher 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 1 cup BBQ sauce and bake in the preheated oven for about 40-50 minutes total.
- After 20 minutes of baking the chicken breasts, flip the chicken brush again with the BBQ sauce, and continue to bake until cooked through. for a total of 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F.
- Once done, remove from the oven. Slice and serve warm with the remaining BBQ sauce.
Notes
- Chicken: Try to use chicken breasts that are close in size so that they bake evenly.
- Avocado oil: You can also substitute it 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 airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
- Cook time: Cook time varies depending on the oven
- Please note: ovens are different, so the baking time for individual ovens will vary
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More chicken recipes
- Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Creamy Cajun Chicken
- Southwest chicken salad
- Honey Mustard Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Thai Basil Chicken
- Baked Cashew Chicken and Veggies
- Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Skillet
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This is the best bbq chicken I’ve ever had. It was so flavorful and juicy. I cooked it for about an hour total.
Nice. Glad you loved it
Love this recipe so much! It’s my go to now for simple yet delicious bbq chicken! And without the guilt!! Thank you!
Thank you. I am so glad you love it
My go to BBQ chicken recipe. Always comes out tender and delicious! Thank you!
Thanks for the feedback.
Cooked covered or uncovered.
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
Is this recipe for whole chicken breasts or halves?
If you consider one whole chicken breast that comprise of 2 half parts then its half
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
amazing. glad you loved it
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?
Hi. You could do that. It won’t hurt
I love this recipe! The chicken always comes out so juicy, tender, and delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Perfect! Thanks for the review
Making this, a second time. It’s delicious!
yay
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
Thank you Greg. This comment made my day
ARE THE CHICKEN BREAST TENDER?
Very!
I love this recipe … thank you very much for sharing
Thank you. Glad you loved it.
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.
Hi. Yes, it could be picking it up from the BBQ sauce.
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!
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.
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!
Hi there. Do you think adding sliced onions would be okay to add to the chicken?
Yes why not. Yummy
Going to try this tonight. But it says 30 minutes but the total cookies time is 45 minutes. A bit misleading
That’s including the prep time. It will need 30-40 minutes of bake time in the oven depending on your oven.
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.
thank you
Rena, thank you for the excellent recipe! That was a remarkably quick lunch to prepare. The meal is not only healthful, but it also takes the bare minimum of ingredients, making it ideal for hectic days. The ultimate result was tasty, tender, and juicy chicken that enticed your tastebuds.
Great! Thanks for the feedback. Glad you loved it.
Saved it as my favorite recipe! It’s my go to! My husband and daughter and myself am obsessed! I never have white pepper so I have to use black pepper instead but it’s sooo delicious! Thank you for sharing this! ☺️
Thank you Alyssa. Glad to hear that everyone loved it.
Delicious and quick way to have a BBQ chicken dinner–without the slow cooker!
Only thing I would change is to eliminate the salt–most BBQ sauces are high in sodium and provide more than enough.
Thanks Sue. Glad you liked it.
I found your site accidentally but the reviews were so positive I decided to try this one. I’m SO GLAD I did! My husband, the pickiest eater ever, loved the chicken. He ate his piece and part of mine too and he usually doesn’t do that, so he really liked it!. My only change was to switch to black pepper because I didn’t have white- otherwise, I made it as written. Winner-winner, Chicken dinner!
Thanks for the great review. so glad your husband loved it.