Baked BBQ Chicken Breast

Name: Baked BBQ Chicken Breast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
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

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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.

Top view 4 baked chicken breasts with bbq sauce in white baking dish

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.

side shot of baked bbq chicken breast in white dish

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

Ingredients for baked BBQ chicken breast on counter

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.)

Raw chicken in zipper bag with oil and seasonings

Raw chicken in baking dish before adding BBQ sauce

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.

Up close view of baked BBQ chicken breast covered in BBQ sauce.

faqs

Can I make this with drumsticks instead?

Chicken drumsticks cook differently than chicken breast. To make drumsticks, try this Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

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.

How long does BBQ chicken stay good?

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.

side shot of baked chicken breastt in a white dish

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

Top view of white baking dish with 4 Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts and bowl of BBQ sauce on side

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