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Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce Recipe

Avatar photoByLauren
Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 104 reviews

If you’re craving that perfect balance of sticky, tangy, and sweet, then you’re in for a treat with this Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce Recipe. I absolutely love how this turns out every time: the chicken stays juicy inside while the homemade BBQ sauce clings to it with a beautiful caramelized glaze. You won’t have to fuss with a grill or messy marinades — it all comes together in the oven with just a few simple steps and pantry staples.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • No Grill Needed: You get that perfect BBQ flavor right out of your oven — no outside BBQ required.
  • Quick Homemade Sauce: The sauce comes together fast and tastes way better than anything store-bought.
  • Juicy, Tender Chicken: Baking with the sauce braises the meat, keeping every bite full of flavor and moisture.
  • Perfect for Family Meals: This recipe easily feeds 5 to 6 people and always gets rave reviews at my table.
A white plate filled with three layers: the bottom layer is creamy mashed potatoes with a smooth texture, the middle layer is a thick piece of cooked meat topped with a shiny reddish-brown sauce, and the top layer has small green herb pieces sprinkled over the sauce. On the side of the plate, there are blurred cherry tomatoes and green beans adding red and green colors in the background. A fork is holding a piece of the meat, lifting it slightly from the plate. The dish is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce, BBQ chicken baked in oven, easy oven baked BBQ chicken, tender oven BBQ chicken recipe, homemade BBQ sauce chicken this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce Recipe plays an important role: from the tang of apple cider vinegar to the sweetness of brown sugar, they all come together to create that classic BBQ flavor that you’ll want to lick your fingers over. Plus, everything’s super easy to find at any supermarket.

Flat lay of fresh bone-in chicken thighs with skin on, two brown eggs (whole and uncracked), a small white ceramic bowl of bright red ketchup, a small white bowl of clear apple cider vinegar, a small white bowl of dark Worcestershire sauce, a small white bowl filled with golden brown sugar, a small white bowl of pale yellow mustard powder, a small white bowl with finely ground onion powder, a small white bowl of coarse sea salt, a small white bowl with cracked black pepper, a small white bowl of clear water, and a small bunch of fresh green parsley and chives arranged neatly, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce, BBQ chicken baked in oven, easy oven baked BBQ chicken, tender oven BBQ chicken recipe, homemade BBQ sauce chicken
  • Ketchup (or tomato sauce): This forms the base of the sauce — I use regular ketchup but feel free to use a good quality alternative from where you live.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Adds that punchy tang that balances the sweetness perfectly.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Adds a deep, savory umami flavor that makes the sauce come alive.
  • Brown sugar: Provides sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize on the chicken.
  • Mustard powder: Brings just a touch of heat and complexity.
  • Onion powder: A little savory boost that blends seamlessly.
  • Salt & black pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors.
  • Water: To loosen the sauce so it can braise the chicken without burning.
  • Chicken thighs, drumsticks, or wings: Skin-on and bone-in for juiciness and maximum flavor. I like thighs best because the meat stays so tender.
  • Fresh parsley, chives or green onions: For garnish — adds a fresh, bright pop at the end.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One thing I love about this Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often switch things up to suit whatever I have on hand or to keep it exciting for my family. Feel free to make this recipe your own by trying out some of these ideas:

  • Add chili flakes or hot sauce: I discovered this trick when I wanted a spicy kick — just a pinch of heat complements the sweetness beautifully.
  • Use honey instead of brown sugar: This gives a smoother sweetness and a glossy finish to the sauce.
  • Swap chicken thighs for drumsticks or wings: Different cuts change the cooking time slightly but keep that juicy, tender texture.
  • Make it smoky: I sometimes add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke to mimic that BBQ pit flavor.

How to Make Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Sauce and Prep the Chicken

Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (390°F). Then whisk together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and water directly in a ceramic or glass baking dish—that’s the trick I learned to save on extra bowls and clean-up later. Add the chicken pieces and turn them over in the sauce to coat evenly. Place the chicken skin side down for the first bake to get that golden color.

Step 2: Bake and Baste

Bake the chicken for 20 minutes uncovered. Then carefully take it out, turn the pieces over so the skin side is up, and spoon some of the sauce over them. Pop it back in the oven for another 30 minutes. About halfway through, I like to skim off any excess fat from the pan—it really helps the sauce stay thick and sticky instead of greasy.

Step 3: Broil for that Perfect Glaze

Here’s where the magic happens. Switch your oven to the broiler or grill setting on high. Give the chicken a generous spoonful of sauce, then place it under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully — it can go from beautifully caramelized to burnt in seconds! This step is what creates that irresistible sticky, glossy glaze.

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Pro Tips for Making Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce Recipe

  • Sauce First, Then Chicken: I always mix the sauce in the baking dish before adding the chicken to let everything mingle and keep those flavors close.
  • Watch the Broiler Closely: This caramelizing step happens fast—don’t wander off or you might end up with burnt sauce!
  • Use Bone-In, Skin-On Pieces: My favorite trick for juicy chicken that stays tender and flavorful.
  • Skim the Fat: I learned to carefully drain excess fat halfway through baking to keep the sauce from getting greasy and overpowering the chicken.

How to Serve Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce Recipe

A white plate shows a thick layer of smooth white mashed potatoes on the left side, topped with a glossy brown sauce that pools around the dish. On top of the potatoes sits a piece of cooked meat covered in the same brown sauce, with a slice cut to reveal the inside texture. Behind the meat, there is a row of green beans and bright red cherry tomato halves scattered around, garnished with small pieces of chopped onions. The plate rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce, BBQ chicken baked in oven, easy oven baked BBQ chicken, tender oven BBQ chicken recipe, homemade BBQ sauce chicken

Garnishes

I love finishing this chicken with some fresh green herbs—parsley, chives, or even finely chopped green onions add a bright, fresh bite that cuts through the richness of the sauce. It also makes for a pretty presentation, especially when guests are around.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce Recipe are always creamy mashed potatoes and a crisp green bean salad. The mashed potatoes soak up that sticky sauce, and the salad adds a refreshing crunch that balances the meal perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve served this chicken on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra sauce for dipping, alongside grilled corn and roasted veggies. It’s super casual but feels festive and lets everyone dig in family-style — which I always find warms the heart and the appetite.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store any leftover Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you keep the sauce separate or spoon some sauce underneath the chicken pieces before storing, it helps preserve the texture and moisture nicely.

Freezing

This recipe freezes surprisingly well! I like to freeze the cooked chicken in individual portions with some sauce for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. This is a lifesaver for busy weeknights.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer to warm the chicken covered in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15-20 minutes, adding a splash of water or extra BBQ sauce to keep it moist. Microwaving works in a pinch but can dry things out, so the oven gives you the best texture.

FAQs

  1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

    You can, but chicken breasts tend to dry out faster in the oven. If you use breasts, I recommend marinating them longer and reducing cooking time to avoid dryness. Bone-in, skin-on thighs are my preferred choice because they stay juicy throughout cooking.

  2. Is it necessary to broil the chicken at the end?

    The broiling step is what gives the chicken that gorgeous caramelized, sticky glaze that makes this recipe special. If you skip it, the chicken will still be deliciously cooked but won’t have that signature BBQ glossy finish.

  3. Can I prepare the BBQ sauce ahead of time?

    Absolutely! You can mix the BBQ sauce a day ahead and store it in the fridge. This actually helps the flavors meld better. Just bring it to room temperature before adding the chicken and baking.

  4. How do I prevent the sauce from burning?

    Adding water to the sauce helps keep it from burning during baking. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the chicken during the broil step—it caramelizes quickly, so watch it closely to avoid burning.

Final Thoughts

This Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites, especially for nights when I want that smoky, sticky BBQ goodness without firing up the grill. It’s so simple, satisfying, and always comes out with juicy chicken and a rich, tangy sauce that my family goes crazy for. I really hope you give it a go — once you try it, it might just become your new weeknight hero, too!

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Oven BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 104 reviews
  • Author: Lauren
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 50 min
  • Total Time: 60 min
  • Yield: 5 servings (5 – 6 people)
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

This Oven Baked BBQ Chicken recipe features juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs cooked in a homemade tangy and sweet barbecue sauce. The chicken is baked to perfection in the sauce, then finished under the broiler to create a sticky, caramelized glaze. A flavorful and easy dinner option that pairs beautifully with sides like mashed potatoes and green bean salad.

Ingredients

BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup (or Australian/UK tomato sauce)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 4 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp mustard powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp fresh black pepper
  • 1 cup water

Chicken

  • 1.5 kg / 3 lb chicken thighs (bone in, skin on), drumsticks or wings

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, chives or finely chopped green onions (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) to prepare for baking the chicken.
  2. Make BBQ Sauce: In a ceramic or glass baking dish, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and water. Stir well to mix all the sauce ingredients thoroughly.
  3. Coat Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the sauce in the baking dish and turn them to coat evenly. Arrange the chicken skin side down in the sauce.
  4. Bake Chicken (First Stage): Bake the chicken for 20 minutes to begin cooking and infuse flavors from the sauce.
  5. Turn and Baste: Remove the dish from the oven, turn the chicken pieces over so the skin side is up, and spoon some of the sauce over the chicken.
  6. Bake Chicken (Second Stage): Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and the flavors to intensify.
  7. Remove Excess Fat (Optional): Carefully tilt the pan and spoon off or drain any excess fat that has accumulated in the dish to keep the sauce rich but not greasy.
  8. Broil to Caramelize: Switch your oven setting to broil (grill) on high. Spoon sauce generously over the chicken, then place it under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to caramelize the sauce and crisp the skin. Watch closely as this happens very quickly.
  9. Serve: Once caramelized, remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley, chives, or chopped green onions. Serve hot with your choice of sides like mashed potatoes and green bean salad.

Notes

  • This recipe provides a speedy way to enjoy sticky BBQ chicken without needing an outdoor grill.
  • The homemade barbecue sauce is quick to prepare and cooks along with the chicken, soaking up flavorful chicken juices.
  • Using bone-in, skin-on chicken ensures juicy meat and crispy skin after broiling.
  • Be attentive during the broiling step to avoid burning; the sugars in the sauce caramelize fast.
  • You can easily swap chicken thighs for drumsticks or wings according to preference.
  • The residual fat can be skimmed off after baking for a lighter sauce if desired.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 256 g
  • Calories: 392 kcal
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 655 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 33 g
  • Cholesterol: 168 mg
Avatar photo

Hey there! I’m Lauren Braiden—your foodie friend who believes every meal should be tasty and low-stress. Expect easy peasy recipes, plenty of kitchen laughs, and zero judgment if you sneak a bite before the timer dings. Let’s cook, chat, and eat the good stuff together! 🎉🍴

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