Oven-baked barbecue chicken thighs are a breeze to make and packed with flavor! I season them with a simple spice mix and brush on a barbecue sauce I whipped up from scratch, but you can totally use your favorite store-bought sauce instead. The result? Crispy, juicy chicken with a perfectly sticky, sweet glaze that’s downright irresistible. Sticky on the outside, tender on the inside, and loaded with flavor, these chicken thighs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Some days, the idea of grilling sounds great, but the heat? Not so much. That’s where these oven-baked BBQ chicken thighs come in. They’re the perfect solution for when you want all the smoky, sweet flavor of barbecue without stepping outside. With a quick homemade BBQ sauce that’s sticky, savory, and just the right amount of sweet, this recipe is as easy as it is delicious.
The chicken starts with a simple rub, a mix of sweet and spicy seasonings that soak into the meat. After a quick bake, it’s brushed with the sauce, creating a glossy glaze that tastes like it came straight off the grill. The best part? Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender, so you don’t have to worry about them drying out.
This recipe is so simple you can prep it the night before, letting the flavors really sink in. It’s perfect for busy nights or when you’re hosting and want something that feels fancy but doesn’t take all day to make. Even if cooking isn’t your thing, these BBQ chicken thighs are fool proof and bound to become a new favorite.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Baked Barbecue Chicken Thighs
- Easy and Relaxing: This recipe is super simple, even for beginners, with most of the work being hands-off, perfect for prepping sides or taking a break.
- Oven Magic: Skip the grill! The oven handles everything, making this a no-fuss option for any time of year.
- Make It Your Own: Adjust the spice, sweetness, or tanginess to match your taste, whether you like it bold or mild.
- Always a Favorite: Barbecue chicken is a hit at family dinners, potlucks, or parties. Everyone will be asking for more!
🧾Barbecue Chicken Thighs Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious BBQ chicken thighs:
- Chicken Thighs: I prefer bone-in, skin-on for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Vinegar and Honey: I like to use extra virgin olive oil, white vinegar, and honey to help the seasoning stick and add a bit of extra flavor.
- Seasonings: I love to use a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, red chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- BBQ Sauce: I love making my own BBQ sauce with ketchup, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, sweet paprika, extra virgin olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt. But if you prefer, you can always use your favorite store-bought brand or try making your own with this easy recipe.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Rub chicken thighs with extra virgin olive oil, white vinegar, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine all the BBQ sauce ingredients and stir well. Bring to a simmer, then cook on low heat for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Place the marinated chicken thighs in the wire rack. Cook in a preheated oven at 205°C /401°F with fan for 8 minutes, flip them, and cook for another 8 minutes.
4. Brush the chicken with BBQ sauce and cook for 5 minutes. Flip, add more sauce, and cook 5 more minutes until crispy and caramelized. Rest a few minutes before serving for extra juiciness.
🍽 What to serve with BBQ Chicken Thighs
This barbecue chicken thighs recipe is perfect for a delicious, quick, easy dinner or lunch! I love serving my chicken thighs with ciabatta or garlic bread to soak up the juices from the chicken.
For sides, I usually make tuna pasta salad, smashed potatoes, or French bean casserole.
For dessert, nothing beats a creamy lemon mousse or chocolate mousse to end the meal just right!
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Trim the Fat: A little fat adds flavor, but trimming excess keeps the chicken from being too greasy.
Dry is Key: Pat the chicken dry before marinating so the flavors stick better.
Preheat the Oven: Make sure the oven is fully heated (205°C/401°F with fan) before baking for the best results.
Boost the Flavor: Add a splash of liquid smoke or a pinch of mustard powder to your BBQ sauce for extra depth.
Switch It Up: Try different BBQ sauces or even a spicy buffalo sauce for a fun twist.
Store Leftovers: Keep any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
🍗More Chicken Recipes to Try!
Love these baked barbecue chicken thighs? You’ll also enjoy these chicken recipes:
- Baked Chicken Legs
- Baked Chicken Breast
- Baked Chicken Thighs
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dinner recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Baked Barbecue Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken Thighs
For the Marinade:
- 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoon White Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Red Chili Powder
- ¼ teaspoon White Pepper
For the Barbecue Sauce:
- 120 g Ketchup
- 30 ml White Vinegar
- 30 ml Worcestershire sauce
- 30 g Brown Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Sweet Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine chicken thighs, extra virgin olive oil, white vinegar, honey, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, and red chili powder. Mix well and ensure each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best results).
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine ketchup, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, salt, sweet paprika, and chili powder. Stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook over low heat for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Remove the marinated chicken thighs from the refrigerator and place them in a wire rack. Cook in a preheated oven at 205°C /401°F with fan for 8 minutes.
- After 8 minutes, flip the thighs and cook for 8 minutes.
- Open the oven after 8 minutes, remove the wire rack and brush the chicken thighs with the prepared barbecue sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, turn the chicken thighs skin-side up, and brush with barbecue sauce. Baked chicken thighs for another 5 minutes until the skin is crispy, caramelized, and lightly charred.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken thighs from the oven. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Brush with more barbecue sauce for extra flavor if you prefer and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
These air fryer BBQ chicken thighs were amazing! So easy and mess-free, and they look perfectly crispy and flavorful.