Finger-Lickin’ Oven BBQ Chicken: A Simple and Tasty Homemade Recipe

Photo byAngie Bright

When it comes to comfort food, nothing quite hits the spot like BBQ chicken. There’s something about the smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors that makes it a favorite at family dinners and gatherings. But you don’t always need a grill to achieve that mouthwatering BBQ taste. This Oven BBQ Chicken recipe is here to save the day, delivering all the flavors of a great barbecue meal, right from the comfort of your kitchen.

Making this recipe at home is easy and requires ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The sauce is rich with a mix of sweetness from brown sugar, tang from ketchup and mustard, and a hint of spice from hot pepper sauce. Cooking the chicken in the oven ensures it stays juicy while developing a delightful caramelized glaze as it bakes.

Oven BBQ Chicken is the perfect meal when you’re craving that barbecue flavor but don’t want the hassle of firing up the grill. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or a casual get-together, this dish delivers on flavor and simplicity.

Recipe: Oven BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:

• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons butter
• 1 cup Heinz ketchup
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup chili sauce (Heinz is a good one)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 to 3/4 tablespoon celery seed
• 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 dashes of hot pepper sauce
• 8 pieces of chicken (your choice of cuts)

Directions:

1. Prepare the Sauce: Start by sautéing the minced garlic in butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it becomes tender and fragrant, which takes about 1-2 minutes.
2. Make the BBQ Sauce: Add the ketchup, brown sugar, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, celery seed, mustard, salt, and hot pepper sauce to the pan. Stir constantly as you bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, remove from heat and set the sauce aside.
3. Bake the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a baking dish and cover it with foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
4. Baste with Sauce: After 1 hour and 15 minutes, uncover the chicken and generously baste it with the BBQ sauce. Continue baking uncovered for another 15 minutes, basting and turning the chicken every few minutes to develop a rich, caramelized glaze.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Once the chicken is fully cooked (the juices should run clear), serve it hot with any extra sauce on the side for dipping. The tangy, sweet sauce perfectly complements the tender, juicy chicken for a meal your family will love!

This Oven BBQ Chicken recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The balance of flavors is just right—savory, sweet, and a touch of spice. The sauce sticks beautifully to the chicken, making each bite burst with flavor. Serve it with classic sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or cornbread, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’s sure to impress.

Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a weekend feast, this BBQ chicken is a reliable recipe that will bring smiles to the table. Plus, it’s an easy way to enjoy the taste of barbecue without needing to step outside.

Here are some sources that will be helpful for your Oven BBQ Chicken recipe, particularly when it comes to the Heinz BBQ sauces mentioned:

1. Heinz BBQ sauces are known for their bold, sweet, and tangy flavors, which are perfect for marinating or basting chicken in your oven recipe. For example, the Heinz Original Sweet & Thick BBQ Sauce uses cane sugar and blackstrap molasses for a rich, sweet flavor​(Kraft Heinz)​(Heinz).
2. If you're looking for a bit more spice, Heinz Texas-Style Bold & Spicy BBQ Sauce includes ingredients like chili powder and cumin, adding an extra kick to the sweetness, making it ideal for those who like a little heat with their BBQ chicken​(Heinz).
3. For a smokier flavor, you can try the Kansas City Style Sweet & Smoky BBQ Sauce, which balances sweetness from brown sugar with a smoky undertone, another great option for oven-baked chicken​(Heinz).

These sauces will help enhance the flavor of your Oven BBQ Chicken, ensuring a delicious, restaurant-quality taste right from your kitchen!