Description
This Baked Barbecue Boneless Chicken Thighs recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken coated in a flavorful homemade barbecue sauce. The sauce combines tangy ketchup, brown sugar, orange juice, and smoky spices to create a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Baked in the oven until perfectly cooked, these chicken thighs make an easy and delicious meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Barbecue Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
Chicken
- 5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (8–10 thighs)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, orange juice, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne powder until smooth and well combined.
- Reserve sauce for basting: Pour out 1/4 cup of the prepared barbecue sauce and set it aside to use for basting the chicken later during baking.
- Coat the chicken: Add the boneless skinless chicken thighs to the remaining barbecue sauce in the bowl. Toss and turn each thigh thoroughly so they are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Arrange on the pan: Place the coated chicken thighs in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan. If there’s extra sauce left in the bowl, use a brush to spread it on top of the chicken for an extra layer of flavor.
- Bake the chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. The juices should run clear, and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the largest thigh should read 165°F (74°C). At the 15-minute mark, baste the chicken with the reserved barbecue sauce to keep it moist and flavorful.
Notes
- You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts if preferred, but baking time may vary slightly.
- For a smokier flavor, increase the liquid smoke slightly but be cautious as it is quite potent.
- To make the barbecue sauce ahead, prepare and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Leftover chicken thighs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
