This baked BBQ chicken is one of my favorite simple recipes to make all year long. The homemade BBQ sauce does double-duty as a marinade, and it’s so simple to throw together with just a handful of ingredients. These chicken breasts always turn out tender and juicy with a bold BBQ flavor– no grilling required!
Baked BBQ Chicken Recipe
I love using the easy BBQ sauce as both a sauce and a marinade in this baked BBQ chicken. It infuses the chicken with so much flavor, and it’s so easy! I mix ketchup, apple cider, honey, garlic, apple cider vinegar, and a few pantry staple spices to create a smoky and tangy BBQ sauce that tastes great whether I marinate the chicken for a few hours or just baste it before baking.
Email This Recipe
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
How to Store and Reheat
Store any leftover baked BBQ chicken you have in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I recommend using the oven or air fryer for the very best results. Of course, the microwave also works just fine in a pinch! Just be careful not to dry it out in the microwave.
How to Freeze
Let the chicken fully cool to room temperature prior to freezing. Once cooled, place the chicken in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Don’t forget to date and label! When it’s time to reheat, let the frozen chicken first thaw in the fridge for a few hours.
Top Reader Review
“I made this tonight and it was SO GOOD!” -Lee
Baked BBQ Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup ketchup
- ⅔ cup apple cider – not apple cider vinegar!
- ⅓ cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts *
Instructions
To Marinate the Chicken (Optional)
- In a bowl, stir together all the BBQ sauce ingredients. Reserve ½ cup of the sauce. Set aside.⅔ cup ketchup, ⅔ cup apple cider, ⅓ cup honey, 3 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Place the chicken breasts in a Ziplock bag. Add in the reserved ½ cup sauce and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour, and up to overnight, to marinade.2½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
To Bake the Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Simmer the remaining BBQ sauce in a small saucepan for 10 minutes, or until thickened and fragrant.
- Place the marinated chicken on the baking sheet. If not marinating, baste immediately. If marinated, bake for 10 minutes before basting the chicken with a thick glaze of BBQ sauce. Return to the oven and bake for 20-30 more minutes, basting every 10.
- Remove, baste again, and place back into the oven set to broil for 3-5 minutes until the BBQ sauce forms a glaze.
Notes
- Simmer any remaining sauce again before serving. This cooks any chicken juices that may have transferred to the sauce while basting, making it safe to eat.
- The thickness of your chicken breast will determine final cooking time. Thicker breasts will take longer to cook than thinner.
How to Make Baked BBQ Chicken Step by Step
Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, stir together ⅔ cup of ketchup, ⅔ cup of apple cider, ⅓ cup of honey, 3 minced cloves of garlic, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. Reserve ½ cup of the sauce and set aside. Place 2½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a Ziplock bag. Add in the reserved ½ cup sauce and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour, and up to overnight, to marinade.
Thicken the Sauce: Preheat your oven to 400°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside. Simmer the remaining BBQ sauce in a small saucepan for 10 minutes, or until thickened and fragrant.
Bake the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken on the baking sheet. If not marinating, baste immediately. If marinated, bake for 10 minutes before basting the chicken with a thick glaze of BBQ sauce. Return to the oven and bake for 20-30 more minutes, basting every 10. Remove, baste again, and place back into the oven set to broil for 3-5 minutes until the BBQ sauce forms a glaze.
I made this tonight and it was SO GOOD!
I’m glad you loved it!!