Oven Barbecue Chicken

Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this mouthwatering Oven Barbecue Chicken recipe—perfectly tender drumsticks or thighs baked to juicy perfection and glazed with a homemade barbecue sauce that’s irresistibly tangy, smoky, and sweet. By using a simple spice rub and roasting the chicken on a wire rack, you achieve crispy skin while keeping the meat succulent. The rich, glossy sauce—featuring ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika—caramelizes beautifully in the oven, delivering smoky barbecue flavors without the need for a grill. Ready in just over an hour, this family-friendly recipe is perfect for casual dinners or entertaining, and pairs wonderfully with coleslaw, cornbread, or your favorite summer sides.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 pieces Chicken drumsticks or thighs
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 cup Ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground mustard

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place a metal wire rack on top of the baking sheet.

Step 2

Pat the chicken drumsticks or thighs dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken pieces.

Step 3

Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken, ensuring they are lightly coated.

Step 4

Arrange the chicken pieces on the prepared rack, skin side up, ensuring they are evenly spaced.

Step 5

Bake the chicken in the oven for 25 minutes while you prepare the barbecue sauce.

Step 6

To make the barbecue sauce, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and ground mustard in a small saucepan. Stir well and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 7

After the chicken has baked for 25 minutes, remove it from the oven. Brush a generous layer of the barbecue sauce onto each piece, ensuring it's thoroughly coated.

Step 8

Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the sauce is caramelized.

Step 9

For extra caramelization, turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time, but keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Step 10

Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1523.3 grams (1523.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2633

Total Fat 139.10g	178%
Saturated Fat 34.50g	173%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 1116mg	372%
Sodium 4270mg	186%
Total Carbohydrate 81.50g	30%
Dietary Fiber 2.50g	9%
Total Sugars 60.80g
Protein 267.80g	536%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 180mg	14%
Iron 13mg	73%
Potassium 2914mg	62%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.3%

Protein: 40.4%

Carbs: 12.3%