Description
This Oven BBQ Chicken Breast recipe offers a tender and juicy way to enjoy boneless, skinless chicken breasts infused with a flavorful blend of spices and tangy BBQ sauce. Baked to perfection at 400°F, the chicken is brushed with BBQ sauce twice during baking to develop a delicious glaze while retaining moisture. Perfect for a family dinner, this recipe serves 6 and requires only 45 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, about 1 inch thick
Spice Blend
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Prepare Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper thoroughly to create a well-balanced spice blend.
- Season Chicken: Rub olive oil evenly on both sides of each chicken breast. Then sprinkle the prepared spice blend over both sides, rubbing it into the meat to ensure deep flavor penetration.
- Initial Bake: Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts on the lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to begin cooking the chicken through.
- First BBQ Brush: Remove the chicken from the oven and brush both sides with half of the BBQ sauce using a pastry brush. Return the chicken to the oven and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes.
- Final BBQ Brush and Bake: Brush the tops of the chicken breasts with the remaining BBQ sauce. Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and flavorful.
- Rest: Take the chicken out of the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This step redistributes the juices for a moist and tender bite.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are about 1 inch thick for even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately check the internal temperature for safety and best results.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after baking helps retain moisture and enhances juiciness.
- Feel free to use your favorite BBQ sauce variety to customize flavor.
- Parchment paper on the baking sheet eases cleanup and prevents sticking.
