This skin-on, bone-in chicken thigh is seasoned with pantry staples ingredients before being coated with barbeque sauce. The result is a sweet, caramelized, and delicious chicken that is full of flavor and super moist. Back to this simple yet delicious baked chicken thighs recipe, I started by seasoning the chicken and left it to marinate for about 30 minutes. After that, I baked the chicken thighs in the oven until about 80% done. I then brushed the chicken with the BBQ sauce and continued to bake them until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thick and caramelized. Serve this chicken with some creamy mashed potatoes or some steamed seasoned rice and vegetables. You can also serve it on its own or with a simple salad on the side. Let me show you how to make it real quick. BBQ sauce: any of your favorite bbq sauce would work for this recipe, I used sweet baby rays sauce. Hot sauce: this is optional I love to use it so it balances out the sweetness of the bbq sauce. Olive oil: You can use any other flavorless cooking oil of choice Spices: I used smoked paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Substitute the onion and garlic granules with powder. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F (Gas 6) Line a baking dish with parchment paper or place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Arrange the chicken on the rack skin side up, place the tray in the oven and bake the chicken for about 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is about 80% cooked through. Carefully remove the chicken from the oven and brush the bbq sauce on both sides of the chicken. Return the chicken into the oven and bake for additional 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, skin crispy, the sauce caramelized, and the internal temperature reaches 165F/74C. Flip the chicken halfway through this cooking time to get some caramelization at the bottom of the thighs. Once done, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving it hot with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
What to serve with bbq chicken thighs
Lemon orzo pasta Potato salad Creamy pasta salad Mushroom rice Parmentier potatoes
How to store
This chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-5 days in an airtight container or in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat: the best way to reheat bbq chicken is in the oven or the air fryer (160C/320F for 8-10 minutes). If reheating from frozen, simply thaw the chicken overnight in the fridge then heat it in a 350F/180C preheated oven until warmed through. Only use the microwave if time is of the essence.
How long to bake bbq chicken thighs
This will depend on the size of your chicken thighs. Typically, chicken thighs should be baked in a hot oven at 200C/400F for about 25-30 minutes or until they are about 80% cooked and the skin crispy before coating with the bbq sauce. Then bake for additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce is caramelized. For boneless chicken thighs, the cooking time will be shorter so do bear that in mind.
Can you put BBQ sauce on raw chicken
Yes, you can! the main exception is that the chicken may burn quickly as a result of the sugar in the sauce. So, before adding the BBQ sauce, I recommend cooking the chicken until it’s about 70-80 percent done.
How do you keep chicken moist when baking
There are a few things that you can do to prevent your chicken from drying out while baking. One is to use chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks instead of chicken breasts as they have more fat content and will not dry out as easily. Another is to coat the chicken with some cooking oil or other type of fat before baking. This will help to create a barrier so that the moisture will not escape from the chicken while it’s in the oven. Finally, you can also cook the chicken at a lower temperature so that it doesn’t dry out as quickly.
Do I need to marinate the chicken before baking
No, you don’t have to but I highly recommend it. Marinating the chicken will help to flavor and tenderize the meat. If you don’t have time to marinate, you can simply season the chicken with some salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. This will still give the chicken some flavor.
What kind of BBQ sauce should I use
You can use your favorite bbq sauce. If you want a bit of a kick, you can add some hot sauce to the bbq sauce.
Can I use chicken breast
Yes, you can. Chicken breasts will require a shorter cook time since they are smaller and boneless.
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