BBQ Sauce Chicken Breastrn

Name: BBQ Sauce Chicken Breast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 23 min
Total time: 33 min
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (Note 1); ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper; ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (more to taste); ¼ cup BBQ sauce (2.5 oz/ 75 g, Note 2); 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon olive oil; ½ tablespoon cider vinegar; 1 ½ tablespoons runny honey; ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (more to taste)

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Last Updated on 11/10/2024 by Adina

Moist BBQ sauce chicken breast, baked in the oven. Our delicious and easy recipe uses simple ingredients, and it’s ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or quick weekend meals.

baked bbq chicken breast slightly charred and sprinkled with parsley.

Baking BBQ sauce chicken breast is a favorite with our whole family because it's uncomplicated and tasty. The oven keeps the chicken juicy, and the barbecue sauce adds flavor without making it too complicated. As it cooks, the sauce gets a bit sticky, making the chicken even more delicious. It's a simple meal that always hits the spot.

Try other barbecue-style chicken parts: Baked BBQ Chicken Wings, Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs, or Butterflied Chicken Legs.

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🐔Why should you bake BBQ chicken?
📋Recipe ingredients
👩🏻‍🍳How to bake BBQ sauce chicken breasts?
⏲️How long should I bake barbecue sauce chicken?
❗Expert Tips
❓Recipe FAQs
🍽️What to serve with it?
📖Recipe
BBQ Sauce Chicken Breast

🐔Why should you bake BBQ chicken?

Easy and quick: Baking BBQ sauce chicken breast in the oven requires minimal effort and expertise, and it cooks relatively quickly, allowing you to have dinner ready in no time.
A great alternative to grilling outside. Not everyone has easy access to a grill, especially outside of the summer season. Try the Air Fryer BBQ Chicken, too.
Healthy: Chicken breast is a lean protein option, making it a healthy choice for meals.
Versatile: Pair the BBQ sauce chicken breast with simple side dishes like Buttered Rice, salad with Yogurt Dressing, Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries, or Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Wedges.

📋Recipe ingredients

labeled ingredients for baking bbq sauce chicken breasts wtih spices and honey.

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: I had rather large portions, weighing about 8-9 oz/ 220-250 g. If those you have are smaller or larger, reduce or increase the cooking time accordingly.
Favorite barbecue sauce: Adds flavor and sweetness, enhancing the taste. Use homemade BBQ sauce or any brand you love. I prefer a tangy BBQ sauce that is not overly smokey, but that is just my personal preference. Use the sauce to make Slow Cooker Chicken Legs (a recipe using just two ingredients) or Instant Pot Country-Style Ribs.
Dijon mustard: Provides tanginess and depth of flavor to the marinade.
Apple cider vinegar: Helps tenderize the breasts and adds acidity to balance the sweetness of the sauce.
Honey: Adds sweetness and helps slightly caramelize the meat while baking, making it utterly irresistible. Try our Honey Baked Chicken Thighs, too.
Spices like salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper. And a little olive oil.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

👩🏻‍🍳How to bake BBQ sauce chicken breasts?

Step #1: Mix all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.

pounding chicken breast covered with clingfilm with a meat mallet.

Step #2: Pound breasts between two sheets of clingfilm with a meat mallet at the thickest part so that they can cook evenly (roughly 0.5 inches/ 1.5 cm thick).

chicken breast pieces marinating in sauce in a large glass baking dish.

Step #3: Marinate for 2-3 hours or overnight. Turn a few times in between. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.

raw chicken breast pieces brushed with marinade on a baking sheet.

Step #4: Bake the oven bbq chicken for 16-18 minutes or until it reaches the internal temperature of 150°F/ 65°C.

one broiled chicken breast with charred marks.

Step #5: Tilt the baking tray over the sink to drain away excess juices. Brush with marinade and broil for 5 minutes or until the breasts reach 165°F/ 74°C internally.

Step #6: Allow the baked BBQ chicken to rest for 3-4 minutes before slicing.

⏲️How long should I bake barbecue sauce chicken?

While not mandatory, using an instant-read meat thermometer (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab) ensures perfectly cooked, moist, and juicy BBQ chicken breast. If you don't have one, follow the suggested cooking times and check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the thickest part of the chicken; the juices should run clear.

For smaller pieces weighing around 6.5 oz/ 180 g, reduce cooking time to about 12-15 minutes.

For larger pieces weighing around 10.5 oz/ 300 g, increase cooking time to about 20-23 minutes. Always ensure the meat reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F/ 74°C before serving.

sliced chicken breast served with rice and broccoli.

❗Expert Tips

It's recommended to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat, but you can marinate it for longer, 2-4 hours, or overnight.

Bake at high temperature and broil for a crispy finish: Broiling the juicy chicken for the last few minutes adds a crispy, caramelized crust to the BBQ sauce, enhancing both flavor and texture.

Make extra baked BBQ chicken so you have more for sandwiches, salads, or meals later in the week. It's a great protein choice you can use in many ways.

❓Recipe FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken instead of boneless chicken breasts?

Yes. However, cooking times may vary, so use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature. You can also make this recipe with chicken tenderloins, but they will cook faster. Try our Grilled Chicken Tenders recipe. Or you can use any other cut of chicken you like; the only thing you have to remember is to adjust the cooking time and check doneness.

Can I use the same marinade for other meats?

Absolutely! This marinade works well with pork chops, beef steak, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.

Can I grill the BBQ sauce chicken breasts instead of baking them?

Yes, you can grill them over medium-high heat for about 6-8 minutes per side or until cooked through, then brush with BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of grilling.

How to store and reheat BBQ chicken breasts?

Refrigerate leftover roast chicken for 2-3 days in an airtight container.
Freeze for longer storage; the meat should be fine for at least 3 months. Defrost in the fridge and reheat before serving.
To reheat baked BBQ sauce chicken breast, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F/ 175°C for 10-15 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying. Alternatively, place it on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a damp paper towel, and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

bowl with sliced chicken breast, broccoli and rice.

🍽️What to serve with it?

Baked barbecue sauce chicken is the kind of dish that can be served with almost any side dish you can think of.

Another way of serving it is to slice it and add it to a salad. Use leftover chicken breast to make some nice sandwiches.

Do you like this recipe?

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BBQ Sauce Chicken Breast