Oven BBQ Chicken Breast

This Oven BBQ Chicken Breast recipe is an easy dump-and-bake dinner with just 5 minutes of prep! Use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts for juicy, flavorful meat that's crispy on the outside and basted in a homemade sweet-and-sour sauce.

BBQ Chicken Breast in Oven

​​​​​​​I have yet to meet someone who doesn't love Oven BBQ Chicken Breast! It's just one of those universally appealing meals that works well for both kids and adults. The tender, juicy meat pairs nicely with almost any of your favorite sides, making it convenient for potlucks, picnics, or big family dinners. No matter when you serve it, you can't beat the convenience of baked barbecue chicken!

How to make Oven BBQ Chicken Breast:

Spend just a few minutes whisking together a homemade barbecue chicken marinade and the oven does the rest! Here's what you'll need...

Ingredients

• Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts
• Ketchup
• White vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Melted butter
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper

1. Pat the chicken dry and season liberally with salt and pepper. You can also season the meat with a barbecue rub for more spice, if you like.
2. Whisk together the homemade barbecue sauce by combining ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper in a small bowl or measuring cup.
3. Bake the chicken at 400° F for a total of about 45 minutes - 1 hour, basting with the sauce during the final half of the baking time. The meat is done when the juices run clear and an instant read thermometer reads 165° F when inserted into the thickest part of the breast.

​​​​​​What to Serve with Oven BBQ Chicken Breast

One reason these brown sugar BBQ baked chicken breasts are so popular is because they’re so versatile! Pair the protein with your family’s favorite sides and you have a kid-friendly meal ready in no time. Here are a few easy side dishes that go well with the chicken:

• A simple green salad dressed in creamy Buttermilk Dressing
• Skillet Cornbread or Corn Muffins
• Slow Cooker Cowboy Pork and Beans
• Coleslaw
• Arkansas Green Beans with Bacon or Amish Green Beans with Brown Butter
• Creamed Spinach
• Crock Pot Mac and Cheese, Stovetop Mac and Cheese or Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
• Easy Potato Salad
• Classic Southern Macaroni Salad
• Creamed Peas
• Soft Dinner Rolls or Crescent Rolls

Storage and Preparation Tips

• Prep ahead! You can whisk together the sauce up to 1 week in advance.
• Wrapped tightly, the baked chicken breast will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also store the chicken in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Use leftover chicken on sandwiches or on salads for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week!

Recipe Variations​​​​​​​

• For more zesty barbecue flavor, season the chicken with a store-bought barbecue seasoning or a homemade barbecue spice rub before adding the sauce. I've just used salt and pepper here (which is perfectly delicious), but this does not yield a spicy BBQ chicken.
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs instead of the chicken breasts. The thighs will cook for a total of about 25-30 minutes, so baste with sauce after the first few minutes of cooking.
• We love the tang of this vinegar-based homemade sauce, but you can substitute with your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce for a shortcut. Our favorite brand is Stubbs!

Tips for the Best BBQ Chicken Breast in Oven

• This recipe works best with bone-in, skin-on chicken (boneless, skinless breasts just aren't as good). The bones and skin keep the white meat incredibly moist and juicy in the oven, and add so much extra flavor. Even if you prefer to pull off the skin before eating the meat, I highly recommend cooking the chicken with the skin still on.
• Patting the chicken dry before adding salt and pepper will help the seasoning adhere to the meat and will make the skin more crispy. Don't skip that step!
• Line your baking sheet or roasting pan with foil before adding the chicken. This makes clean-up a breeze.
• Since the size and thickness of chicken breasts can vary greatly, I suggest using a meat thermometer to know when your chicken is done. The meat needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• Scale this recipe to feed a crowd! For our family of 5, I typically bake 4 large bone-in chicken breasts (about 6 lbs. total). You do not need to double the sauce ingredients, because you should have plenty extra.

More Baked Chicken Breast Recipes to Try

• Oven Baked Chicken Breast
• 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
• Dump-and-Bake Basil Chicken Breasts
• 5-Minute Honey French Baked Chicken Breasts
• “No Work” Baked Chicken