When we want something simple that still gives us that rich, barbecue flavor, without firing up the grill, these oven-baked BBQ boneless chicken thighs are the top of our list. They stay juicy in the oven and take on the sweetness and tang of the BBQ sauce, making them an easy win whether you’re planning dinner or prepping meals for the week. And don’t forget the sides! Our steakhouse potato salad or Southern-style coleslaw are some of our favorites since they can also be made ahead.
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If you love easy, flavorful chicken recipes for busy weeknights, you’ll want to try this crock pot beer chicken, rotisserie chicken tortilla soup, or chicken pesto flatbread.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
With boneless skinless chicken thighs and a handful of pantry staples, these oven-baked boneless chicken thighs come together quickly and work well for busy nights.
In the printable recipe below, you can find a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: These are the stars of this dish. They are juicy and tender, perfect for absorbing the BBQ sauce. If you prefer a healthier option, you can substitute it with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but they may require a shorter cooking time to avoid drying out.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought sauce, or try our homemade BBQ sauce. If you prefer a different flavor profile, try honey mustard or teriyaki sauce as a substitute.
- Olive Oil: We use a little oil in the marinade to help the seasonings stick to the chicken and keep it moist during cooking. You can substitute vegetable oil or avocado oil.
- Spices: We used common pantry spices to add depth of flavor to the chicken thighs: onion, garlic, and smoked paprika.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Thighs in the Oven
Here are the quick, step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions, including the exact ingredients, in the recipe card below.
Pro-tip: For the oven baked barbecue chicken thighs, pull them from the oven when they hit 165°F, then let them rest for 5–10 minutes. The carryover heat finishes the cooking without drying them out.
1. Marinate the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag and coat them evenly with the mixture. Let them marinate in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to soak up all those flavors.
2. Preheat and Prep: Set your oven to 400°F so it’s hot when the chicken goes in. Take the marinated chicken out of the refrigerator and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. We also put our chicken on a wire rack, which is optional. Brush BBQ sauce on each thigh, covering both sides.
3. Bake the Chicken: Pop the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. About halfway through, brush the chicken with more BBQ sauce for an extra flavor boost. With a meat thermometer, check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
4. Serve and Enjoy: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions if you like. Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce and your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, potato salad, or corn on the cob.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: You can marinate the chicken thighs for a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator.
How to Store: Leftover cooked and cooled chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To freeze:
- Place the cooked chicken thighs in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash-freeze them.
- Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat: Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish lined with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat leftover chicken in the microwave until warm.
Meal Prep: These chicken thighs hold up well for weekday lunches. After baking, let them cool and store them in individual containers with your favorite sides or grain bowls. Keep a little extra BBQ sauce in a separate container so you can add it after reheating.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Brush on more BBQ sauce. Halfway through baking, brush on more BBQ sauce for a richer, smoky flavor.
- Allow the chicken to rest. After baking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes to retain its juices.
- Substitute the spices. If you prefer a different flavor, try chili powder or brown sugar for a sweet-and-spicy kick.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Chicken Recipes to Try
Looking for more chicken recipes? Try these other favorites:
- Rotisserie Chicken Tortilla Soup – A simple soup made with rotisserie chicken, tomatoes, chiles, and warm spices. It comes together fast and is great for weeknights.
- Braised Whole Chicken – This one-pot dinner is loaded with flavor. A whole chicken is slowly cooked in broth with herbs and vegetables until tender.
- 5 Ingredient Cast-Iron Skillet Chicken Pot Pie – This pot pie is simple and inexpensive, made with rotisserie chicken, frozen vegetables, cream of celery soup, and store-bought biscuits. It is a hearty dinner that works well on busy nights.
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Oven-Baked BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs
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Equipment
- Small Bowl
- Cookie or Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken Thighs
- In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag, and coat them evenly with the olive oil mixture. Marinate the chicken for about 15-30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Bake the Chicken Thighs
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Brush each chicken thigh generously with BBQ sauce, covering both sides.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Halfway through the cooking time, brush the chicken with more BBQ sauce for extra flavor.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions if desired, and serve hot with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or corn on the cob.
This was so easy to make and absolutely delicious!
The chicken was so succulent and the whole recipe was so easy to make.
These turned out SO good! Found this recipe on pinterest and it’s definitely a keeper!
The dish came out perfectly, and the flavors were just right. I would definitely make this again
Simple and delicious. I love how I can let these cook in the oven while I prepare the sides. Great recipe!