This Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Breast is perfect for those days that you crave barbecue, but don’t want to fire up the grill. The chicken is so juicy and flavorful, and it couldn’t be more simple to throw together.
You can serve this bbq baked chicken breast just as it is, or try one of our easy recipe variations below. When it comes to side dishes, this is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of sides, such as mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or grilled vegetables. It’s a family-friendly meal that is sure to please everyone at the table. Plus, with minimal prep and cook time, it’s a lifesaver for busy weeknights when you need a quick and satisfying dinner option.
BBQ Chicken Breast In Oven
This oven-baked bbq chicken is the ultimate one-pan, 30 minute weeknight meal. It’s healthy, delicious and perfect for whatever time of year you are craving BBQ.
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My family loves these baked bbq chicken breasts fully-loaded with mozzarella cheese, bacon, and chopped green onions. However, you can toss on just about any of your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings. Feel free to skip the bacon and green onions altogether or add even more toppings like diced tomatoes and minced cilantro.
If you love the flavors of BBQ, be sure to try our BBQ Chicken Salad, BBQ Chicken Taquitos , Babyback Ribs and Spare Ribs Recipe.
Baked BBQ Chicken Breast Video Tutorial
What to serve with BBQ Chicken
- Use this recipe to make BBQ Chicken Salad.
- Serve with a Steakhouse Style Baked Potato, Herb Roasted Potatoes or The Best Sweet Potato Fries
- Dice and make a BBQ chicken bowl, with avocado, black beans, cheese, quinoa and corn.
- Eat with a cold salad like this Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
- Serve over a heaping bed of Cilantro Lime Rice
Key Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts – we use boneless, skinless chicken breasts which has less saturated fat than other cuts, however any type of bone-in or dark meat chicken would taste great.
- Salt & Pepper – be sure to season both sides of your chicken breasts.
- Barbecue Sauce – our favorite brand is Sweet Baby Rays, which you can find at most grocery stores, but you can feel free to use your favorite, or even make your own. If you like your BBQ sauce on the sweeter side, you could even mix in a tablespoon or two of brown sugar.
- Shredded Cheese – we use mozzarella but if you like things a little spicy, pepperjack would taste great too.
- Bacon – you can cook your bacon ahead of time if you want, and just store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
- Green Onions – this is optional, and can be served on the side in a little bowl for each person to sprinkle on themselves.
How to Make Barbecue Chicken in the Oven
- Prepare the chicken. Set the chicken breasts in a baking dish. Use the bottom of a mason jar or sturdy cup to “whack” the chicken breasts a few times on the thickest part of the breast to tenderize the chicken.
- Season and assemble. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the BBQ sauce on top of each chicken breast evenly, then sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the BBQ sauce.
- Bake. Bake uncovered in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and the juices of the chicken run clear.
- Cook bacon bits. While the chicken is in the oven, slice bacon into 1/2″ strips. In a saucepan on med-high heat, add the bacon strips and saute for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly crispy. Scoop the bacon bits out of the pan with a slotted spoon or spatula, and drain on a paper towel until cool. Set aside.
- Let the chicken rest. When the chicken is done baking, remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes to let the juices evenly distribute.
- Serve. Sprinkle the thinly sliced green onions and bacon bits over the chicken, and enjoy!
Recipe Variations for Baked BBQ Chicken
Try these recipe variations for Oven Baked BBQ Chicken and see which one is your favorite! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and spices to find the perfect recipe for your taste buds.
- Spicy BBQ: Add a tablespoon of cayenne pepper to your BBQ sauce for an extra kick.
- Honey Mustard: Mix equal parts honey and mustard and brush onto the chicken before adding the cheese and baking.
- Pineapple: Top the chicken with pineapple slices and brush with BBQ sauce before baking.
- Teriyaki: Mix teriyaki sauce and BBQ sauce and brush onto the chicken before baking for a unique flavor.
- Balsamic: Add balsamic vinegar to your BBQ sauce and brush onto the chicken before baking for a tangy flavor.
- Citrus: Add the zest and juice of an orange or lemon to your BBQ sauce for a bright and refreshing twist.
- Cajun: Mix Cajun seasoning with your BBQ sauce for a spicy and flavorful dish.
- Chipotle: Add chipotle peppers to your BBQ sauce for a smoky and spicy flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this recipe, it will take about 30-35 minutes to bake your bbq chicken breasts at 350 degrees F. The exact time will always depend on your oven, how many you are baking at once and what size they are, and how often you open the oven door (try not to!).
No matter what, you always need to be sure and check the internal temperature. It should read 165 degrees F when inserted halfway into the thickest spot of your chicken.
Yes! You can use chicken thighs, wings, and drumsticks will all taste great, but just keep in mind that the baking time will vary. Bone-in chicken will take a little longer to cook than boneless breasts. You also want to be careful when you check the temperature of bone-in chicken to make sure that your thermometer is not touching any bone.
Since this bbq baked chicken breast is cooked with BBQ sauce, you won’t need to worry much about it drying out! Just be sure to check your cooking time and temperature to make sure you are cooking only until it reaches 165 degrees and not over-cooking it.
If you want even juicer chicken and don’t mind dark meat, you can use bone-in thighs and drumsticks. They are harder to overcook and juicy every time.
Oven Baked BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 2/3 cup bbq sauce
- 1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 pound bacon, sliced into 1/2" strips
- 3 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Set the chicken breasts in a baking dish. Use the bottom of a mason jar or sturdy cup to "whack" the chicken breasts a few times on the thickest part of the breast to tenderize the chicken.
- Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper, then spoon the BBQ sauce evenly over each chicken breast and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the BBQ sauce.
- Bake uncovered in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165 degrees.
- While the chicken is in the oven, slice bacon into 1/2" strips. In a saucepan on med-high heat, add the bacon strips and saute for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Scoop the bacon bits out of the pan with a slotted spoon or spatula, and drain on a paper towel until cool. Set aside.
- When the chicken is done baking, remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes to let the juices evenly distribute.
- Sprinkle the thinly sliced green onions and bacon bits over the chicken, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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More Chicken Recipes That We Love
- Grilled Apricot Chicken
- Chicken Wrap in the Instant Pot
- Baked Honey Mustard Chicken
- Alice Springs Chicken
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
- Cornflake Chicken
- Baked Lemon Chicken
- Simple Oven Baked Chicken Breast
- Honey Soy Chicken Thighs
- More Chicken Recipes
- More Summer Recipes
This Oven BBQ Chicken Breast recipe is perfect those days that you crave BBQ, but don’t want to fire up the grill. It couldn’t be more simple to throw together for an easy, cheesy one-pan weeknight meal.
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4th of July, Chicken, Easy Weeknight Meals, Healthy, Main Dish, Nut-Free, Summer Recipes, Videos,
