BBQ Baked Chicken Thighs

I love chicken thighs over chicken breasts as they stay super juicy and are almost impossible to overcook! They're also the perfect canvas for whatever flavors you want to throw on them, especially BBQ sauce. The best part is that you can use homemade or store-bought BBQ sauce for these Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs!

The oven does most of the work in this recipe while the broiler crisps up the outside and caramelizes the sauce. Serve these BBQ chicken thighs with corn on the cob, rice, coleslaw, or anything else you like for a quick weeknight dinner!

Check out these chicken thigh recipes for your next meal: Best Grilled Chicken Thighs and Easy Spicy Barbecue Chicken Thighs!

Boneless vs Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs

When it comes to chicken thighs, you can use whatever you like! I personally don't like a ton of fat on my chicken thighs, so I remove the skin, but it's totally up to you. If using bone-in chicken thighs, keep in mind that the bone adds a few minutes to the cooking time but also adds a ton of flavor!

Tips and Simple Swaps for Big Flavor

Change up the recipe and use these tips for the best BBQ chicken thighs:

• Wire rack: Place a wire rack on a baking sheet to elevate the thighs. This will help them cook evenly all around and allow the juices to sink below the chicken.
• Broil: Broiling the cooked chicken for a few minutes on each side helps crisp up the skin and caramelize the sauce. Don't skip this step!
• Brush: Before broiling, feel free to brush the chicken thighs with extra BBQ sauce so they caramelize as they broil.
• Olive oil: You can swap this with avocado oil or canola oil if you like!
• Flip: There's no need to flip the chicken unless you really want to. However, they should cook evenly in the oven!
• Chicken breasts: If you prefer boneless skinless chicken breasts, feel free to swap out the thighs. Just make sure to not overcook them, as they aren't as forgiving as thighs.
• BBQ sauce: I kept things simple with a store-bought barbecue sauce, but you can totally make your own if you like!

How to Make BBQ Chicken Thighs on the Grill

Want to fire up the grill instead? Here's how:

• Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F. Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
• Prep the chicken: Toss the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in olive oil and your spice blend (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, kosher salt, and black pepper). Then, coat the chicken with half of your barbecue sauce.
• Grill the chicken: Place the chicken thighs on the grill. Close the lid and cook for about 5–6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Add sauce and finish: In the last few minutes of grilling, brush the top of the chicken with some of the remaining BBQ sauce. Flip, brush the other side, and let it caramelize slightly. Be careful not to burn the sauce.
• Rest and serve: Remove from the grill and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Add any extra sauce on the side if you like it saucy.

How to Serve This BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe

There are so many ways to serve these chicken thighs! Here are some of our favorite side dishes:

• Veggies: Pair some Roasted Vegetables on the side for extra nutrients and color.
• Rice: Some hearty Instant Pot Brown Rice is a great side dish for BBQ chicken thighs.
• Coleslaw: BBQ chicken and Tricolor Coleslaw are a match made in heaven!
• Mac and cheese: Cheddar and Carrot Mac and Cheese
• Salad: Keep things light with a Wild Rice Salad made with wild rice, arugula, roasted acorn squash, cranberries, and an apple cider vinaigrette!
• Potatoes: Bulk up the meal with some Crispy Baked potato wedges, Potato Cauliflower Mash, or Grilled Sweet Potatoes!

Store, Reheat, Repeat

Keep your chicken thighs fresh throughout the week with these storage tips:

• Fridge: Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Freezer: Chicken thighs freeze very well! Just pop them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Don't forget to thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat or in the oven at 300°F.
• Leftovers: Slice up the reheated leftover chicken, add some grains and your favorite toppings, and make a BBQ Chicken Bowl! Add a drizzle of ranch dressing on top for the perfect tangy touch.