Baking Chicken Breasts With Bbq Sauce: A Tasty Oven Adventure

Baking chicken breasts in the oven with BBQ sauce is a quick and easy way to make a tasty, juicy meal. The key to this recipe is to ensure the chicken is cooked through without drying out, and there are several methods to achieve this. One way is to flatten the chicken breasts so that they cook evenly, and another is to cook the chicken in stages, adding the BBQ sauce partway through.

Chicken preparation

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to bake chicken breasts in the oven with BBQ sauce:

• Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Optional Ingredients

You can also add some of the following optional ingredients to enhance the flavour:

• White pepper
• Cayenne
• Chili powder
• Chipotle pepper
• Fresh or dried herbs (e.g. rosemary, thyme, tarragon, or herbs de Provence)

Equipment

To prepare and cook the chicken, you will need the following equipment:

• Large Ziploc bag
• Casserole dish or baking pan
• Meat thermometer (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by preparing the chicken breasts. If they have any rib meat, you can cut it off, then rinse the chicken and pat it dry. If your chicken breasts are uneven in thickness, place them inside a large plastic bag or between two pieces of plastic wrap and use a meat pounder or rolling pin to flatten them until they are about 3/4-inch thick. This step ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and stays juicy.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Place the chicken breasts in the Ziploc bag and add the oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Shake the bag well until the chicken is fully coated with oil and spices. You can also add salt to taste.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to between 375-450°F. Line a baking pan with foil to make cleanup easier and lightly grease it with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.

Step 4: Add BBQ Sauce

Place the seasoned chicken in the prepared baking dish and brush with BBQ sauce. You can also add some of the sauce to the Ziploc bag in Step 2 to coat the chicken more thoroughly.

Step 5: Bake the Chicken

Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven and brush with more BBQ sauce. Return the chicken to the oven and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This ensures the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the centre.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Oven temperature

Preheating the Oven

Preheat your oven to a temperature between 375° F and 450° F. A higher temperature of 425° F (220° C) is recommended by several sources, as this temperature ensures that the chicken cooks quickly and evenly, locking in juices and resulting in tender, juicy meat.

Initial Baking

Place the seasoned and sauced chicken in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes at 425° F (220° C). This initial bake ensures the chicken is partially cooked (about 70% to 80% done) before adding the barbecue sauce.

Reducing Oven Temperature

After the initial bake, remove the chicken from the oven and generously brush or pour the barbecue sauce over it. At this point, some recipes suggest reducing the oven temperature to 375° F (190° C) for the remainder of the cooking process.

Final Baking

Return the sauced chicken to the oven and continue baking. The total cooking time, including the initial bake, is typically around 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken breasts. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160° F to 165° F.

It is important to note that oven temperatures and cooking times may vary, so adjustments may be necessary based on your specific oven and the size of your chicken breasts.

By following these temperature guidelines, you will achieve delicious, tender, and juicy BBQ chicken breasts every time!

Baking time

The baking time for BBQ chicken breasts depends on a few factors, including the oven temperature, the size and thickness of the chicken breasts, and whether they are boneless or bone-in.

For boneless chicken breasts, most recipes recommend baking at a temperature between 375°F and 450°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Some recipes suggest brushing the chicken with BBQ sauce halfway through the baking time, or even adding the sauce in two or three intervals to build up a glaze.

Bone-in chicken breasts may take longer to bake, between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on the thickness of the meat. One recipe recommends starting the bone-in chicken at a temperature of 425°F for 10 minutes, then reducing the temperature to 375°F and baking for a further 20 minutes. The chicken is then coated in BBQ sauce and baked for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the skin is crispy.

It's important to note that oven temperatures and cooking times may vary, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on the chicken while it's baking and use a meat thermometer to check that it's cooked through.

BBQ sauce application

Before Baking

Before you start applying the BBQ sauce, make sure you have already preheated your oven and prepared your chicken breasts. The oven should be set to a high temperature of around 400°F, and the chicken breasts should be placed in a baking dish.

Now, onto the sauce! For the initial coating, you can either brush or pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken breasts. If you're using a store-bought sauce, simply pour it over the chicken and shake the pan so that the meat is well-coated. If you're using a thicker, homemade sauce, you might find it easier to brush the sauce onto the meat. Make sure you only use about half of your sauce at this stage, as you'll need the rest later!

During Baking

After the chicken has been baking for around 10-20 minutes, it's time to add the rest of the sauce. Remove the chicken from the oven and brush or spoon the remaining sauce over the meat. Try to coat the chicken evenly.

After Baking

Once the chicken is cooked and you've removed it from the oven, you can add an extra layer of sauce. This step is optional but will give your chicken a sticky, caramelized finish. Simply turn your oven to its broiler setting and place the chicken on the top rack for around 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on it, as the sugars in the sauce can burn quickly.

Tips

• If you're using a store-bought BBQ sauce, choose a thicker variety, as this will be easier to apply and less likely to burn.
• If you're making your own sauce, try to use a sweet and tangy blend, as this will complement the chicken well.
• You can also add extra ingredients to your sauce, like brown sugar or honey, for a sweeter taste.
• Remember, it's important to only add the sauce at the end for chicken cooked on the grill, as the sugars in the sauce can burn easily.

Serving suggestions

Salads

• Tomato Cucumber Salad
• Green Bean Salad
• BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad
• Garden Salad

Side Dishes

• Stuffed Baked Potatoes
• Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Skillet Green Beans
• Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
• Baked Zucchini Fries
• Perfect Baked Potatoes
• Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
• Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
• Roasted broccoli
• Baked potato
• Mashed potatoes
• Green beans
• Baked beans
• Coleslaw
• Smoky roast potatoes
• Crispy potatoes
• Rice
• Macaroni Salad
• Sour Cream Cornbread
• Slow Cooker Baked Beans
• Potato Salad
• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Garlic Parmesan Baked Potato Wedges
• Healthy Potato Salad
• Roasted Garlic Cauliflower
• Roasted Smoked Sweet Potatoes
• White Rice
• Cauliflower rice
• Fresh seasonal fruit
• Easy Mixed Berry Fruit Salad

Make-ahead and storage

You can prep the chicken up to a day in advance. Cover tightly and let it come to room temperature while your oven preheats. You can also cook the chicken in advance and use it for salads and wraps.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days after cooking. Reheat in the microwave or use leftovers for salads, sandwiches and wraps. To freeze, cool completely then place in resealable freezer bags for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge.

Frequently asked questions