Best Baked BBQ Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
50 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
405 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer
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Cuisine
American
Best Baked BBQ Chicken
Description
Best Baked BBQ Chicken combines chicken thighs and drumsticks marinated in pickle juice, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt to boost flavor and tenderness. The chicken is then coated in a tangy, sweet BBQ sauce enhanced with garlic, smoked paprika, cinnamon, and optional red chili sauce for subtle heat. Baking at 400°F with intermittent basting allows the sauce to caramelize and permeate the meat, while ensuring the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F. A final broil step browns the skin for visual appeal and added texture. This method produces juicy chicken with balanced BBQ flavors and a sticky, flavorful crust, appropriate for casual meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 4-6 chicken thighs bone-in, and skin-on
- 4-6 chicken drumstick
- 4 cups pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons red chili sauce optional
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Marinate Chicken:
- Place chicken in a large bowl and mix with pickle juice, salt, olive oil and lemon juice. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight.
- When ready to cook, remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels.
Sauce:
- In another large bowl combine all the sauce ingredients and stir well.
- Add chicken to it and to fully coat.
Bake:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Arrange coated chicken into the pan. Do NOT discard the sauce. It is safe to use it for basting as it will cook in the oven.
- Bake for 25 minutes and baste with the remaining sauce. Bake for another 7-10 minutes and baste again. Repeat until chicken is done and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Once cooked, baste chicken now with sauces FROM the pan, that are already cooked and broil for 5 minutes, or until a nice brown color.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 405 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 405kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 90mg | 30% |
| Sodium | 2508mg | 105% |
| Potassium | 345mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 340IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 1.6mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 28mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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