Oven-Baked Bbq Whole Chicken: A Simple, Succulent Delight

Cooking a whole chicken in the oven with BBQ sauce is a great way to get juicy, tender, and flavourful chicken. The key to this dish is the BBQ sauce, which can be homemade or store-bought, and the cooking technique. The chicken is typically dry-brined or rubbed with a spice mixture of salt and pepper, and sometimes other spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground mustard seed. The chicken is then baked in the oven at a high temperature, around 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, for about 30 minutes. During the baking process, the chicken is basted with BBQ sauce multiple times to add flavour and moisture. The final step is to broil or grill the chicken for a few minutes to get a nice caramelization on the surface. This dish is perfect for a summer meal and can be served with seasonal salads, mashed potatoes, or BBQ sides like coleslaw and baked beans.

Choosing the right chicken

Firstly, consider the size of the chicken. A larger chicken will take longer to cook, so if you are short on time, opt for a smaller bird. A good rule of thumb is to allow 15-18 minutes of cooking time per pound of chicken.

Next, look for a chicken with intact skin. The skin will help to keep the meat moist and also ensure you get a lovely crispy, glazed finish.

When it comes to the type of chicken, a free-range or organic bird will likely have more flavour. However, if you are on a budget, a regular commercial chicken will work just fine.

Finally, check the ingredients list. You want a chicken that is all-natural, with no added preservatives or artificial ingredients. Look for a simple ingredients list that includes things like water, salt, and spices.

Once you've selected your chicken, you'll want to prepare it for cooking. Remove any packaging and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. If you have time, it's a good idea to let the chicken come to room temperature before placing it in the oven. This will help it cook more evenly.

Now you're ready to move on to the next steps of preparing your delicious oven-baked BBQ whole chicken!

Preparing the sauce

Ingredients

First, gather your ingredients. A basic BBQ sauce typically includes a combination of sweet, tangy, and savoury elements. Common ingredients include ketchup or tomato sauce, vinegar (such as apple cider vinegar or white vinegar), a sweetener like brown sugar or peach preserves, and spices such as garlic, onion powder, mustard powder, smoked paprika, and ground black pepper. You can also add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Don't forget to season with salt, and you may want to include a liquid element like water, chicken stock, or olive oil to thin out the sauce and create a glaze.

Mixing

Combine your chosen ingredients in a saucepan. The amount of each ingredient will depend on your personal preference and the desired flavour profile. Start with smaller quantities and taste as you go, adjusting as needed. Heat the saucepan over medium heat and stir the ingredients occasionally to ensure they blend well.

Cooking

Continue heating the sauce until it reaches a gentle boil. This will help reduce the sauce and thicken it to the desired consistency. You can also add a slurry of cornstarch and water at this point if you want to further thicken the sauce. Once the sauce reaches your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container if you're making it ahead of time, and it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Basting

When it comes to basting your chicken with the BBQ sauce, timing is essential. You don't want the sauce to burn, so it's best to wait until the chicken is partially cooked before applying the sauce. For a whole chicken, roast it in the oven for about 30 minutes before removing it and brushing on a generous amount of sauce. Return the chicken to the oven and continue roasting, repeating the process of brushing with sauce every 10-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. This will allow the flavours of the sauce to infuse into the chicken and create a delicious, sticky glaze.

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and spices to create your signature BBQ sauce!

Oven temperature

For instance, a recipe that bakes the chicken at 425°F for about 50 minutes total, including a few rounds of brushing BBQ sauce on the chicken and returning it to the oven, results in a juicy and tender whole chicken.

Another recipe recommends a two-step approach. It suggests starting at a higher temperature of 450°F for 30 minutes, followed by lowering the temperature to 460°F for the remaining cooking time. This method ensures that the chicken cooks quickly at first and then finishes at a slightly lower temperature to retain moisture.

On the other hand, a lower temperature of 375°F is also suitable for roasting a whole chicken with BBQ sauce. This temperature allows for a longer cooking time of about 1 hour and 10 minutes, ensuring the chicken is cooked through while maintaining its moisture.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the size of the chicken and the accuracy of the oven can impact the cooking time and temperature. A larger chicken may require a slightly longer cooking time, and adjustments may be needed based on your oven's performance.

Cooking time

The cooking time for a whole chicken in the oven with BBQ sauce varies depending on the weight of the chicken and the oven temperature.

If you are baking a whole chicken at 400°F, it will take around 18 minutes per pound to finish. For example, if you are cooking a 4.5-pound chicken, it will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes to cook.

At a higher temperature of 450°F, the cooking time reduces to around 15 minutes per pound. So, for a 4.5-pound chicken, it will take approximately 1 hour.

However, it is important to note that the chicken should not spend more than an hour in the oven at these temperatures. The ideal internal temperature for a whole roast chicken is between 165°F-170°F. This can be measured using a meat thermometer, which should be inserted into the thickest part of the chicken, usually the thigh, and away from any bones.

Additionally, the colour of the juices released from the chicken can indicate its doneness. If the juices are clear, the chicken is done. If they are cloudy or pink, the chicken needs more time in the oven.

When cooking chicken with BBQ sauce, it is important to monitor the sauce to prevent burning. One technique is to brush the sauce onto the chicken periodically during cooking and finish with a short broil to achieve a nice, sticky glaze.

Serving suggestions

There are many different ways to serve a whole BBQ chicken cooked in the oven. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Salads: A seasonal salad can be a great accompaniment to your BBQ chicken. Try a Watermelon Feta Salad with Blueberries or a Grilled Peach Salad.
• Comforting sides: Hearty sides like Stovetop Mac and Cheese, White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, or mashed potatoes (red or fluffy) will go well with the chicken.
• Summer-inspired side dishes: Try a Dill Red Potato Salad, Grilled Vegetables with Chimichurri Sauce, or a Fruit Salad with Orange Poppyseed Dressing.
• Classic BBQ sides: Go for classic BBQ cookout sides like corn on the cob, coleslaw, potato salad, or baked beans.
• Bread: Cornbread, dinner rolls, or bread rolls are perfect for mopping up any extra sauce.
• Vegetables: Serve your chicken with a side of veggies like French fries, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
• Rice and corn: A simple dish of rice and fresh corn on the cob can be a great way to round out the meal.

Frequently asked questions