Baked BBQ Chicken Breast
This easy baked BBQ chicken breast recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with a smoky-sweet glaze. Perfect for weeknight dinners or backyard cookout vibes without the grill!
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Meat Thermometer
- Plastic Wrap or Zip Bag
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 2 pounds
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika sweet or smoked
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup barbecue sauce divided
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 425ºF (218ºC). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and lightly grease with oil to prevent sticking.
- Flatten the Pieces: Thoroughly dry each chicken breast with a paper towel. Place one breast between two plastic sheets or inside a large plastic bag and use a meat tenderizer to pound to an even thickness, about ¾ inch thick. Repeat with the remaining pieces.
- Season the Surface: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Add the chicken and turn to coat evenly.
- Add Barbecue Sauce: Add ½ cup of the barbecue sauce. Turn to coat evenly. Transfer the chicken to the greased baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 10 minutes, then brush the remaining barbecue sauce on the surface. Continue baking until the internal temperature reaches 160–165ºF (71–74ºC) on a meat thermometer, about 4–7 minutes.
- Serve: Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve with extra barbecue sauce if desired.
Notes
For smoky depth, use hickory or mesquite BBQ sauce. Try pairing this with BBQ Grilled Chicken and Rice or Oven-Baked Chicken and Rice for a hearty meal.
