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Smoky Juicy BBQ Baked Chicken | 45-Min Cozy Family Football Dinner

Best Smoky Juicy BBQ Chicken Baked 45 Min Family Dinner

Smoky juicy BBQ chicken baked to perfection for your cozy family football dinner. Sticky chicken with fall flavors ready in 45 minutes. Try this easy BBQ bak...
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Easy Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lb chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, and breasts)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 3 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a large baking dish with foil for easy cleanup. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure the spice rub adheres properly.
  2. Combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Rub this mixture generously over all chicken pieces, coating both sides thoroughly for maximum flavor impact.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 2 minutes per side. Don't skip this step—it creates a golden crust that seals in juices during baking.
  4. Arrange sliced onions on the bottom of your baking dish and place seared chicken pieces on top. Pour chicken broth around the chicken, then whisk together BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke, pouring this mixture over the smoky juicy BBQ chicken baked pieces.
  5. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 375°F until chicken reaches 165°F internally. Dot the top with butter during the last 10 minutes to create an extra-glossy finish on your sticky chicken pieces.
  6. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute throughout the meat.