Oven BBQ Chicken Recipe

I absolutely love this Oven BBQ Chicken Recipe because it combines that irresistible tangy-sweet BBQ flavor with the rich, juicy texture of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. It’s the kind of dish that’s perfect for any night when you want a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal without firing up the grill. I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count, especially on busy weeknights and casual weekend dinners, and it never disappoints.

What makes this Oven BBQ Chicken Recipe truly special is the layer of peach preserves stirred into the BBQ sauce—it adds such a lovely fruity depth that you don’t always get with traditional BBQ chicken. Plus, roasting the chicken in the oven means you get that perfect, crispy skin without any fuss, which is a lifesaver if you don’t have outdoor grilling space or when the weather isn’t cooperating.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple ingredients come together to create a luscious BBQ sauce and perfectly seasoned chicken that’s golden and tender. When you shop, choosing good quality BBQ sauce and fresh chicken thighs will make all the difference.

• BBQ sauce: Pick your favorite brand or homemade version—this is the base of your sauce, so choose one you really enjoy.
• Peach preserves: Believe me, this adds a wonderful fruity sweetness that makes the sauce pop without being overpowering.
• Garlic: Freshly grated garlic brings a subtle kick and depth to the sauce.
• Hot sauce (optional): Adds just a tiny bit of heat if you like your BBQ with a little more kick.
• Olive oil: For brushing the pan and keeping the chicken skin from sticking.
• Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on): These stay juicy and tender throughout baking, and the skin crisps up so nicely.
• Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning, helps bring out all the flavors.
• Ground black pepper: Adds a mild, aromatic punch.

Variations

I like to personalize this Oven BBQ Chicken Recipe all the time, depending on what I have on hand or what flavors are calling my name. Feel free to tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs—the basic technique is super forgiving and flexible.

• Spicy Twist: When I want extra heat, I add a few dashes of cayenne pepper or chipotle powder to the sauce before heating it up—it really wakes up the flavor.
• Smokier Flavor: Sometimes I add a splash of liquid smoke into the BBQ sauce to mimic that grill taste when the weather isn’t right for outdoor cooking.
• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free BBQ sauce and double-check your preserves to keep this recipe safe for gluten-sensitive folks.
• Different Chicken Cuts: I’ve tried this with drumsticks and even boneless thighs—just keep an eye on cooking time to avoid drying out.

How to Make Oven BBQ Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Warm Up Your BBQ Sauce with Peach Preserves

Start by combining your BBQ sauce, peach preserves, grated garlic, and optional hot sauce in a medium saucepan. Heat it gently over medium heat for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the preserves are melted and the mixture is nice and warm. This helps the flavors meld beautifully—trust me, it’s worth the extra step to get that rich, glossy sauce.

Step 2: Prep the Oven and Chicken

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Then line two rimmed baking sheets with foil and drizzle a bit of olive oil on them to prevent sticking and make clean-up a breeze—really, this tip saves a lot of hassle later. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down evenly spaced on the pans. Give them a good sprinkle of kosher salt and ground black pepper to enhance the natural chicken flavors.

Step 3: Roast and Sauce in Layers

Roast the chicken, skin-side down, for about 25 minutes. When the time’s up, pull the pans out carefully and brush the thighs with that delicious BBQ sauce you warmed up. Flip each piece gently to skin-side up—watch out not to tear the skin to keep it crispy—and brush more sauce on top. Pop them back into the oven for 7 minutes.

Repeat brushing on more sauce and roasting for another 7 minutes. Then again, brush on more sauce and crank your oven up to 425°F for a final 5 to 7 minutes. This last step caramelizes the sauce edges and crisps the skin even more while making sure the chicken is fully cooked through.

Once done, let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before serving—this little pause helps all the juices redistribute, giving you juicy, flavorful bites.

How to Serve Oven BBQ Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping this BBQ chicken with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Sometimes, a light drizzle of extra BBQ sauce on the plate is a nice touch, too.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs wonderfully with classic sides like creamy coleslaw, buttery corn on the cob, or even a tangy cucumber salad. My family also enjoys it alongside roasted sweet potatoes or garlic mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the chicken on a wooden board with a variety of dipping sauces—like ranch, honey mustard, or extra BBQ sauce—and some grilled veggies alongside. It feels festive and inviting, perfect for sharing with friends or family gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps well for up to 3 days. Make sure to let it cool before sealing to avoid soggy skin, and you’ll find it reheats nicely without losing its juicy texture.

Freezing

Freezing is definitely doable with this Oven BBQ Chicken Recipe. I wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. It keeps well for about 2 to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To bring back that crispy skin after storing, I reheat the chicken in a 375°F oven for about 10-15 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you can, as it tends to make the skin soggy and the meat dry. This little extra step keeps your leftovers tasting almost as good as fresh!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Oven BBQ Chicken Recipe has become my go-to when I want something that feels homemade but doesn’t require standing over a hot grill or fiddling with complicated steps. I hope you’ll give it a try and enjoy how effortlessly delicious it is. Once you nail this method, you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again, just like my family does. Trust me—there’s something so comforting about juicy, crispy BBQ chicken fresh out of the oven, especially when shared with people you love.

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