This Baked BBQ Chicken Breast recipe offers the best combination of tender chicken breast coated in BBQ sauce and baked to perfection. The chicken is marinated and seasoned using a homemade rub and is bursting with savory notes and a touch of sweetness.
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Convenience: Baking BBQ chicken breast is a convenient cooking method that requires minimal hands-on time. Once seasoned and coated with BBQ sauce, you can simply place the chicken breasts in the oven and let them bake to perfection without constant monitoring.
Consistent Results: Baking allows for even cooking and ensures that the chicken breasts are cooked through evenly without any undercooked or overcooked spots. This results in tender, juicy chicken breasts with a perfectly caramelized BBQ sauce coating.
Hands-Off Cooking: Unlike grilling or pan-frying, baking BBQ chicken breast is a hands-off cooking method. Once the chicken is in the oven, you can attend to other tasks or prepare side dishes without needing to constantly tend to the chicken.
Indoor Cooking: This is a great option when outdoor grilling is not possible due to weather conditions or lack of a grill. It allows you to enjoy the flavors of BBQ chicken year-round from the comfort of your kitchen.
Meal Prep: Baking a large batch allows for easy meal prep. You can cook several chicken breasts at once and store them for later use in salads, sandwiches, wraps, or as a main course with sides.
Flavor Infusion: Baking allows the BBQ sauce to slowly caramelize and infuse into the chicken breasts as they cook, resulting in a rich, flavorful dish with a perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors.
Family-Friendly: This is a family-friendly dish that is sure to please both kids and adults alike.
What Type of Chicken to Use
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: These are convenient and easy to work with, as they cook relatively quickly and are simple to portion. They’re also leaner than bone-in chicken breasts, making them a healthier option for those watching their fat intake.
Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Breasts: These are juicier and more flavorful than their boneless counterparts. The bone helps insulate the meat and retains moisture during cooking, while the skin adds flavor and protects the meat from drying out. Baking bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts takes a bit longer than boneless breasts, but the results are often worth it for the added flavor and juiciness.
Chicken Thighs or Legs: These will typically take an additional 10-20 minutes to bake compared to breasts.
Do You Marinate It
Marinating the chicken before baking is not strictly necessary, but it can enhance the flavor and juiciness of the chicken. Marinating allows the chicken to absorb additional flavors from the marinade, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
If you choose to marinate, marinate the chicken breast for at least 30 minutes to several hours (up to overnight) before baking. The longer you marinate, the more flavor the chicken will absorb.
How to Season the Chicken
To keep the chicken moist during the baking process, I use a combination of a liquid marinade (soy sauce) and my Homemade BBQ Dry Rub Seasoning. You can also use a store-bought rub if you prefer.
Soy sauce contains enzymes that break down proteins in the meat. It also helps the chicken retain moisture, preventing it from becoming dry during cooking. You can use apple cider vinegar if you prefer.
How to Make Baked BBQ Chicken Breast
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Marinate and season the chicken.
Add the seasoned chicken along to an oven safe skillet or baking dish. Drizzle the chicken with BBQ sauce.
Place the chicken in the oven and bake.
How to Prevent the Chicken From Drying Out
Marinate the Chicken: Marinate the chicken breast for at least 30 minutes to several hours before baking.
Don’t Overcook: Overcooking is one of the main causes of dry chicken breast. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees and no higher. Remove the chicken from the oven as soon as it reaches the correct temperature to avoid drying it out.
Baste with BBQ Sauce: If you’re using BBQ sauce, basting the chicken breast with sauce during baking can help keep it moist.
Let it Rest: After removing the chicken breast from the oven, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in juicier chicken.
How to Ensure the BBQ Sauce Doesn’t Burn
I like for the BBQ sauce to caramelize the chicken while it cooks. If you aren’t a fan of this, cover the chicken breast loosely with aluminum foil during the first part of the baking process. This helps protect the BBQ sauce from direct heat and prevents it from burning. Remove the foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking to allow the sauce to caramelize and develop flavor.
Keep a close eye on the chicken breast as it bakes. If you notice the sauce starting to darken too quickly or develop black spots, you can tent the chicken breast with foil or lower the oven temperature to prevent further burning.
Cook Time/How Long to Bake
Bake the chicken for about 20 to 25 minutes or however long it takes to reach the appropriate internal temperature.
How to Tell When the Chicken is Done
Internal Temperature: The most reliable way to determine if chicken breast is fully cooked is by using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast and ensure it reaches the center. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Juices Run Clear: Another indicator of doneness is the color of the juices that seep out of the chicken breast when pierced with a fork. If the juices run clear, with no traces of pink or blood, the chicken is likely cooked through.
No Pink Meat: Cut into the thickest part of the chicken breast with a sharp knife and inspect the meat. It should be opaque all the way through, with no traces of pinkness or rawness.
Firm Texture: The texture of the chicken breast should feel firm to the touch when gently pressed with a finger. If it feels soft or squishy, it may still be undercooked.
Crispy and Golden Exterior: If the chicken breast is coated in BBQ sauce, it should have a crispy and golden-brown exterior when done. The sauce should be caramelized, and the chicken should appear glazed and slightly charred around the edges.
What Type of Pan to Use
Cast Iron Skillet: Cast iron is known for its excellent heat retention and distribution properties. A cast iron skillet heats evenly, ensuring that the chicken breasts cook uniformly and develop a beautifully browned exterior.
Baking Sheet: A standard baking sheet, also known as a baking tray or cookie sheet, is a versatile option. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Baking Dish: A baking dish, such as a glass or ceramic casserole dish, is another excellent choice. Choose a dish that’s large enough to hold the chicken breasts in a single layer without overcrowding.
Roasting Pan: If you’re cooking a large batch of BBQ chicken breast or if you prefer using a deeper pan, a roasting pan with a rack is a great option. The rack allows air to circulate around the chicken, promoting even cooking and browning.
Substitutions and Variations
Sweeteners: Adjust the sweetness of the BBQ sauce by using honey, maple syrup, molasses, or brown sugar. You can also use sugar-free alternatives like monkfruit sweetener.
BBQ Sauce: Experiment with different varieties of BBQ sauce, such as hickory, mesquite, honey, or spicy flavors.
Cumin: Offers a warm, earthy flavor with a hint of bitterness.
Mustard Powder: Adds a tangy, slightly spicy flavor that complements the sweetness of BBQ sauce.
Celery Salt: Provides a savory flavor with a hint of celery seed aroma.
Oregano: Adds a subtle herbal note that pairs well with other spices in the seasoning blend.
Thyme: Offers a mild, earthy flavor with subtle floral notes.
Rosemary: Provides a pine-like aroma and a slightly bitter, woody flavor.
This Baked BBQ Chicken Breast recipe offers the best combination of tender chicken breast coated in BBQ sauce and baked to perfection. The chicken is marinated and seasoned using a homemade rub and is bursting with savory notes and a touch of sweetness.
If you plan to marinate the chicken in advance, combine the soy sauce and all of the spices and drizzle it over the chicken in a large bowl or plastic bag. Place the chicken in the fridge (covered) for 30 minutes to overnight.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Add the seasoned chicken along to an oven safe skillet or baking dish. Drizzle the chicken with BBQ sauce.
Place the chicken in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or however long it takes for the chicken to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
Allow the chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in juicier chicken.
Notes
Use enough spices to fully coat both sides of the chicken breasts. Add additional spices if needed to ensure optimal flavor.Overcooking is one of the main causes of dry chicken breast. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees and no higher. Remove the chicken from the oven as soon as it reaches the correct temperature to avoid drying it out.You can use chicken thighs or drumsticks. These will typically take an additional 10-20 minutes to bake compared to breasts. Always cook chicken for however long it takes to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.I like for the BBQ sauce to caramelize the chicken while it cooks. If you aren’t a fan of this, cover the chicken breast loosely with aluminum foil during the first part of the baking process. This helps protect the BBQ sauce from direct heat and prevents it from burning. Remove the foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking to allow the sauce to caramelize and develop flavor.Keep a close eye on the chicken breast as it bakes. If you notice the sauce starting to darken too quickly or develop black spots, you can tent the chicken breast with foil or lower the oven temperature to prevent further burning.
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Nutrition DataMacros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Heather
Thursday 29th of February 2024
Great weeknight meal! Thank you!
staysnatched
Friday 1st of March 2024
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!