Our BBQ Chicken Thighs in the Oven is the perfect harmony of hot sauce and BBQ sauce that’s not only bursting with flavor but also incredibly easy to prepare. There’s nothing quite like the mouthwatering aroma of juicy boneless chicken thighs coated in a smoky barbecue sauce, roasting away in the oven. This recipe is fuss-free cooking, making it a go-to choice for busy weeknights or family gatherings where you want to impress without the stress.
As a mom of two, I have had great success over the years serving chicken thighs in our home. Chicken thigh recipes have the flavor that kids crave with the ease of preparation that parents need. These baked BBQ chicken thighs are no exception!
The hint of hot sauce adds the perfect amount of tanginess to balance out the sweetness of the barbeque. You can make this recipe with a homemade BBQ sauce or your favorite store-bought variety.
Not only does this BBQ chicken taste amazing when served right from the oven, it also reheats extremely well. Leftovers can be served alongside a side dish or shredded for chicken nachos, quesadillas, and taco salads.
You will find many bone-in and boneless chicken thigh recipes on the site. We even pulled together a round-up of 40 Gluten-Free Chicken Thigh Recipes that your family will love!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup bbq sauce, divided
How to Make this BBQ Chicken Recipe
Preheat the oven and prep the pan. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Marinate the chicken thighs. In a mixing bowl add the chicken thighs, olive oil, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Using clean hands blend until coated. Let marinate while the oven preheats or at least 15-30 minutes.
Bake. Add 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce to the marinating chicken and use clean hands to coat the chicken. Place the chicken thighs onto the baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Remove the chicken from the oven and turn the oven to broil. Using a basting brush coat the chicken with an additional 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce.
Put the chicken back into the oven. Broil for 4-6 minutes or until the BBQ sauce starts to turn golden brown.
What To Serve With BBQ Chicken
When it comes to this baked BBQ chicken recipe, the main dish is undoubtedly the star of the show with its delicious flavors. However, what truly brings the meal together is a selection of side dishes.
We handpicked these sides not only to complement the savory flavors of BBQ chicken, but also to provide a well-rounded meal.
From classics to our family favorites, here are some delicious recipes to consider serving alongside baked BBQ chicken thighs:
- Air Fry Green Beans
- Crockpot Baked Beans
- Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins
- Gluten Free Pasta Salad
- Instant Pot Wild Rice
- Pan Fried Sliced Potatoes
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- Broccoli Salad without Mayo
- Low Sodium Mac and Cheese
- How To Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob
If you are on the search for a no-bake dessert, check out our No Bake Cookies (without Peanut Butter), No Bake Peanut Butter Bars, No Bake Cheesecake Bites, and Peanut Butter Pie (No Bake).
Tips for Baking Chicken
- Always preheat the oven to the desired temperature when baking chicken. This will help ensure even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of the chicken. When the internal temperature has reached 165°F, the chicken is safe to consume.
- Avoid overcrowding the tray by leaving space between the chicken thighs. This allows air to circulate to promote even cooking and browning.
- For crispy skin, opt for skin-on chicken thighs then broil for a few minutes at the end of the cooking time.
- Allow the thighs to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in juicer chicken.
- Looking for baked chicken breast recipes? We have you covered with our Buffalo Chicken Breast, Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast and How To Bake Thin Sliced Chicken Breasts.
- Experiment with different seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika in addition to the hot sauce, salt and pepper to find the flavor you enjoy the most.
- Marinate the chicken overnight then add to the baking sheet the next day to elevate the flavor while also meal prepping in advance.
- Use fresh or defrosted chicken for this recipe.
- Have a picky eater or someone that doesn’t like bbq sauce? Bake a piece without sauce then serve with their preferred dipping sauce on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will want to cook oven baked chicken thighs for approximately 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked. It is best to bake at a high temperature to achieve a juicy interior and crisp exterior.
Barbeque chicken thighs are fully cooked and safe to eat when the internal temperature has reached 165°F. You can test the thickest part of the chicken thigh by carefully inserting a meat thermometer. Allow the thermometer a few seconds to stabilize and provide an accurate reading. It is also a best practice to check multiple chicken pieces to ensure uniform cooking.
Whether you use bone-in or boneless largely depends on your personal preference. Bone-in thighs tend to have slightly more flavor and are often juicier and more tender due to the bone’s presence. You can also take advantage of crisping the exterior of bone-in, skin-in thighs.
Boneless chicken thighs on the other hand are easier to work with and kid-friendly since you don’t have to worry about removing the bone when eating. They also cook slightly faster, making them a good choice when you need a quick meal.
BBQ sauces come in various styles, ranging from sweet and tangy to smoky and spicy. You can also opt for fruit-based sauces like peach or mango bbq sauce for a sweeter flavor. Another fun option is finding a sauce that is made locally or regionally.
Regardless of the sauce you pick, it is essential to carefully read the product label to ensure it is safe. An easy way to ensure a sauce is gluten-free is to look for the certified gluten-free label. You can also examine the ingredient list for any potential sources of gluten and check for allergen statements. If you have any doubts, contact the manufacturer directly. They can provide information about the product and their manufacturing processes.
There are several methods to prevent sticking such as lining the sheet pan with parchment paper (or aluminum foil), greasing the pan, using a silicone baking mat or elevating with a wire rack. We find the method of lining the tray with parchment paper is the most effective in preventing sticking while also making clean-up easier.
Covering the chicken is not required for this recipe. In fact, by not covering, the chicken will cook quicker and brown more evenly. It can be helpful to cover chicken during the reheating process to help retain moisture.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- After cooking the chicken thighs, let them cool to room temperature before storing them.
- Place the thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume them within 3-4 days.
- When reheating leftovers, use the microwave for convenience or a preheated oven to prevent drying out the chicken.
- For freezing, ensure the thighs are completely cooled then place in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the packaging with the freezing date and store the chicken for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.
- To thaw, transfer them to the refrigerator and let them thaw gradually.
- Then, reheat the thighs in the microwave or oven until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring safe consumption.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling raw chicken. This helps keep all the surfaces in the kitchen clean and prevents you from getting sick.
- Use fresh chicken for this recipe. If you only have frozen chicken at home, ask a kitchen helper to help you defrost the thighs. To defrost the chicken quickly, grab the frozen chicken thighs and put them in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Then, fill your empty sink with cold water. Take your plastic bag with chicken thighs and immerse into the sink full of water. Set a timer and change out the water every half over to keep it nice and cold. For every pound of chicken, it will take a little over an hour to thaw completely and be ready to cook.
- Place the chicken on the baking tray in a single layer with space between each thigh. No stacking or overlapping the chicken.
More Chicken Thigh Recipes
- Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
- Air Fry Boneless Chicken Thighs
- How To Boil Chicken Thighs
- Baked Italian Chicken Thighs
- Ninja Foodi Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Thighs
- Greek Chicken Thighs
- Baked Chicken Thighs
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs In Oven
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup bbq sauce divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prep the pan. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Marinate the chicken thighs. In a mixing bowl add the chicken thighs, olive oil, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Using clean hands blend until coated. Let marinate while the oven preheats or at least 15-30 minutes.3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Bake. Add 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce to the marinating chicken and use clean hands to coat the chicken. Place the chicken thighs onto the baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven and turn the oven to broil. Using a basting brush coat the chicken with an additional 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce. Put the chicken back into the oven. Broil for 4-6 minutes or until the BBQ sauce starts to turn golden brown.1 cup bbq sauce
Notes
- Always preheat the oven to the desired temperature when baking chicken. This will help ensure even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of the chicken. When the internal temperature has reached 165°F, the chicken is safe to consume.
- Avoid overcrowding the tray by leaving space between the chicken thighs. This allows air to circulate to promote even cooking and browning.
- For crispy skin, opt for skin-on chicken thighs then broil for a few minutes at the end of the cooking time.
- Allow the thighs to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in juicer chicken.
- Experiment with different seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika in addition to the hot sauce, salt and pepper to find the flavor you enjoy the most.
- Marinate the chicken overnight then add to the baking sheet the next day to elevate the flavor while also meal prepping in advance.
- Use fresh or defrosted chicken for this recipe.
- Have a picky eater or someone that doesn’t like bbq sauce? Bake a piece without sauce then serve with their preferred dipping sauce on the side.
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