Description
A simple and flavorful Oven Roasted BBQ Chicken recipe featuring juicy boneless, skinless chicken breasts coated with a homemade spice rub and slathered in rich BBQ sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or casual gathering, this dish is baked to perfection for tender, smoky goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, about 1 inch thick
Spice Rub
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the spice blend: In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful spice rub for the chicken.
- Season the chicken: Rub olive oil evenly on both sides of each chicken breast to help the spices adhere and keep the meat moist. Then sprinkle the prepared spice blend over the chicken and rub it in thoroughly on all sides.
- First bake: Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake them in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to start cooking through.
- Apply BBQ sauce and continue baking: Remove the baking sheet and, using a pastry brush, coat both sides of each chicken breast with half of the BBQ sauce. Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to let the sauce set and deepen in flavor.
- Final saucing and bake: Brush the tops of the chicken breasts with the remaining BBQ sauce. Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), ensuring it is fully cooked and juicy.
- Rest the chicken: Once baked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat for optimal tenderness before serving.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness; the safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F, but cooking to 160°F and resting will finish the cooking.
- You can use your favorite brand or homemade BBQ sauce for variation in flavor.
- For extra smoky flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the spice blend.
- Serve with classic sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approx. 5.3 oz)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
