Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

Juicy Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs with smoky, caramelized sauce—ready in 30 minutes! Easy, flavorful, and perfect for weeknights or leftovers.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings Servings

Calories 602kcal

Set your oven to 425°F. Place an oven-safe grill pan(preferably cast iron) inside the oven while it preheats—this helps achieve those sear marks.
Mix the BBQ sauce with honey. And set aside.
Meantime, in a large bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
Carefully remove the hot grill pan from the oven and arrange the chicken thighs, smooth side down. You should hear a sizzle!
Return the pan to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken is about 70-80% cooked.
Take the pan out, brush BBQ sauce generously over each thigh. Flip and brush the other side too.
Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until fully cooked(the BBQ sauce will bubble up and form a rich, glossy glaze).

Mix BBQ sauce with honey (or agave or brown sugar) for a sticky, caramelized glaze.
Adjust the spice level with extra cayenne, black pepper, or crushed red pepper to suit your preferred level of heat.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through.
For deeper grill marks and caramelization, finish under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.