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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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My grill broke, and I needed a good recipe for Father’s Day. I found this one and thought I would give it a try. I wasn’t sure about the amount of smoked paprika, but followed the recipe (using the great Gates BBQ sauce.) It was delicious, and a huge success with the family! I’ll make it again tomorrow!
Glad it worked and you loved it! Thanks for the feedback.
This is our go to oven baked bbq chicken recipe. Turns out great every time. Delicious
Thanks Jackie! love it
Wonderful tender juicy chicken. I mixed The Sheds Bbq sauces sweet & spicy & the fowl. Wow what a combination. Great ingredients-taste gourmet!
This chicken was the best I’ve ever had. Not dry at all. Super moist, stayed warm and moist for over 10 mins resting. The flavor was so delicious. I used the smoked paprika and that did make a difference. I cannot wait to make this again. So easy!!
Thanks Amanda! Glad you loved it.
Best BBQ chicken recipe ever! I let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes or so then follow the procedure. Added 1 tsp of cayenne pepper for a little kick and it turned out great. Had with Cajun Chicken rice and steamed broccoli.
Thanks for the feedback, Anthony. So glad you loved it.
This is my new go-to chicken recipe now. I have made it several times and it never disappoints. It’s always juicy and never dried out. My family likes it!
Glad you loved it. Yay
Used chicken tenders. Baked at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. They were tender and moist. I have teens that eat dinner at different times post after school activities. Reheating in the microwave made the chicken dry and tough.
I go through that same struggle with eating at different times lol. Chicken tenders take way less time to cook. Not surprised that happened. Thanks for the feedback.
This recipe is super easy to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner! The BBQ flavor is fantastic and my family loved it!
Thanks for the feedback Jared. Glad you loved it.
Hi Rena! my name is Liza, I liked very much your crispy oven chicken cutlets. but i would like to ask you an easy recipe of chicken cutlets but cut into pieces baked , or cooked on the stove as I do not like fry food.
thank you,
Liza
As delicious as stated! I made it 2x in one month!! I used large, bone in, skinless chicken breasts and just baked them longer for approximately 15 minutes per side. They were moist tender and bursting with flavor. Yummmmmy!!
Thanks for the feedback.
This was soooo good! Chicken came out super moist and tasty. Best bbq chicken I’ve made. I did make a couple changes:
-I added apple cider vinegar, worcestershire sauce, and Japanese bbq sauce to the marinade. I also used sweet baby rays bbq sauce, black pepper instead of white and olive oil instead of avocado. Went heavy on the bbq sauce and spices amount too.
Served with mashed potatoes, green beans, and baked beans.
Perfect!
Absolutely delicious! Wouldn’t change a thing
Thanks Lex. Glad you loved it.
This is now my go to baked bbq chicken recipe. it is quick and easy and taste delicious.
Amazing. So glad you loved it
Just a quick comment…so many of the recipes on Pinterest advertise that a recipe may be ready in xx amount of minutes, such as this one at the top says 30 minutes. When you read the actual recipe, you find out that it actually takes 45 – 50 minutes to cook. How is this a 30-minute recipe?
It shouldn’t? I would have to check this out. Maybe it was a typo. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I thought the same and after rereading it I realized it meant to cook 30, the flip them over and continue to cook until total cooking time is 40-50 mins, which would mean cook for another 10-20 mins.
I let the chicken rest for 10 minutes tented with foil before serving. Juicy and amazing! Will 100% make again!
Thanks Mel. Glad you loved it
Can you use boneless, skinless chicken breasts?
Yes. You sure can
Should I reduce the cooking time?
It all depends on the oven. Most chicken thighs will need 20-25 minutes at 400F
Hi! What would be the cooking time for boneless skinless chicken breasts? Thank you!
Hi. It depends on the size and thickness of the chicken breast. Most will be good baked at 350F for 2-25 minutes or so. But honestly, it is hard to say. If you have a food thermometer, I recommend you use it and check until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.