Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
baked bbq chicken on parchment
Print Recipe
4.50 from 10 votes

BBQ Baked Chicken Recipe (Apple Cider Vinegar Marinade)

This simple oven-baked BBQ chicken breast recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner when I'm craving something sweet and tangy. The apple cider vinegar marinade pulls double duty on this BBQ chicken, acting as both a tenderizer and a finishing sauce. The result is juicy, finger-lickin-good chicken that my whole family loves!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Marinate8 hours
Total Time8 hours 55 minutes
Course: Main Course, Sauce/Marinade
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 475kcal
Author: Becky Hardin

Ingredients

  • 2½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts *
  • 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

Instructions

  • In a bowl, stir together all the sauce ingredients. Reserve ½ cup for the marinade. 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 marinade and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour, and up to overnight, to marinate.
    2½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    chicken breasts marinating in bbq sauce in a ziplock bag.
  • 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.
    bbq sauce in a saucepan.
  • Place the marinated chicken on the baking sheet. 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.
    baked bbq chicken breasts on a baking sheet.
  • Remove, baste again, and place back into the oven set to broil for 3-5 minutes until the BBQ sauce forms a glaze.

Video

Notes

*Boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work great!
Tips:
  • 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.
Storage: Store baked BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 475kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 61g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 181mg | Sodium: 696mg | Potassium: 1241mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 414IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg