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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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Why is this called 30 minute baked chicken if the directions call for you to cook for 40-50 minutes?
a typo. Fixing now
This was a great bbq recipe. Fixed it with cheesy corn, baked beans and garlic and butter asparagus. Made a wonderful dinner that we thoroughly enjoyed.
Perfect! Thank you. Glad you loved it
I’m amazed nobody commented on the part of the recipe where they say “Feel free to ASS more barbecue sauce if needed.” Doesn’t anyone care enough anymore to check before they post something.
Most people don’t spend their time rudely pointing out smalls errors people make. If you absolutely felt the need to point it out, you could have done so more kindly.
I made this for my very picky daughter…it was a risk but she loved it, said it was so flavorful. I gave her leftover BBQ sauce in case she wanted more and she didn’t even use it. I did use black pepper instead of white because that’s all I had and I took an idea from another recipe and mixed about a quarter cup of teriyaki sauce into the BBQ sauce.
That sounds yummy with the addition of teriyaki. So glad she loved it. Thanks for the feedback. Always appreciate it
Really good and very easy! Will make again!
Thanks, Pam. Glad you liked it
Made this last night. Easy, tender, and delicious. Definitely a keeper! Thanks so much for sharing !
Thanks for the feedback Nancy
I just made this. Very easy and delicious! I will definitely make this again. Thanks for the recipe.
My wife always tells me she doesn’t like BBQ chicken but I tried this recipe and she LOVED it!
Amazing!
It’s looks so delicious
We loved this recipe! My son said it was the best bbq chicken I’ve ever made!!! And it’s super easy!!! Thank you!
Nice. Thank you so much
What brand of BBQ sauce did you use?
My husband twists his nose when we have chicken. His own words after eating this chicken recipe: “May I have some more? This might be my chicken favorite recipe of all times”.
Fast (I slice the chicken breast and it cooks in half the time), easy, tasty…a win-win!
Thank you!
Thank you so much for such a nice feedback. Glad he loved it
Great recipe and instructions. It came out delicious. The spice rub is the perfect blend as a base for the BBQ sauce.
So easy and delicious!
Sooooo delicious and moist! Thank you!! I’ll certainly be making this often.
Delicious!!! I shared this recipe with my sister she will be making it too. Everyone loved it. Thank you much!!!
I tried making this chicken and planning everything in the whole meal to be done by the time the chicken would be finished (according the the recipe!!!) Tookthe temp on the chicken 4o minutes later, and as all the sides were also finished, I realized the chicken was still not done, your recipe is very off on the cook time and ruined my dinner…thanks “chef” !!
Hi. it all depends on the oven. Some ovens will need a longer bake time.
Marianne, please don’t be ugly and rude when the error is not on Rena’s recipe or cook times.
Thank you Stormy. So kind of you
Time to get a new oven. Mine is brand new and perfectly 165 at exactly 40 min – just as chef suggested! Yum.
Probably having Karen at the table is what ruined your dinner – not the recipe.
Blaming someone else for your cooking failures is diabolical LOL.
You should invest in a meat thermometer. Problem solved.
Your inability to cook is not Renas fault!
One of my chicken breasts weighed 16 oz. So I basically had 4 lbs of chicken breast. I couldn’t figure out how to adjust. So I estimated. Let you know if my family eats it.
I have to agree. Anytime I bake chicken breasts in the oven, I always put it on 375 degrees for about 50 minutes, depending on thickness. So, don’t know why they’re being so hateful about it. Mine is in the oven now
Right. All ovens vary too. The cooking time of the oven in basement is way different than the one in my main floor! Its just hard to specify the “exact” time anything needs in the oven.
Can I prep this and freeze it to be ready for another day
Yes you can
Mine came out super watery after cooked. But didn’t taste too bad.
Super tender and delicious! My husband loved it.