Baked Barbecue Chicken Breast

This baked barbecue chicken breast doesn’t require a grill. It is ultra-tender, juicy and bursting with flavor; simmered in a tasty sauce made with white vinegar, brown sugar, ground mustard and Worcestershire, then baked in the oven until the skin caramelizes. Thinly sliced, sauteed onions add a nice extra crunch and sweetness to the dish. Serve this chicken with sides like potato salad and corn on the cob for a classic barbecue dinner.

Ingredients for Baked Barbecue Chicken Breast

• Bone-in chicken halves: Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels before browning; this will help the skin crisp up.
• Onion: To make sure the onion cooks evenly, chop it into uniform pieces.
• Seasoning: Here, we use a mixture of white vinegar, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, salt and pepper to season the chicken. (Note that dark brown sugar contains more molasses than light or golden brown sugar so it has a bolder flavor.)

Directions

Step 1: Brown the chicken

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a nonstick skillet coated lightly with oil, brown the chicken over medium heat. Transfer to a 13×9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Step 2: Saute the onion

Recoat the skillet with oil. Add the onion; cook and stir over medium heat until tender.

Step 3: Add the other ingredients

Stir in the remaining ingredients and bring them to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Pour over the chicken.

Step 4: Bake

Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer inserted in the chicken reads 170°. This takes 35 to 45 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Let the baked chicken sit in its juices for a few minutes before serving. This will ramp up the flavor.

Baked Barbecue Chicken Breast Recipe Variations

• Make a barbecue sandwich: Baked barbecue chicken is easy to turn into a sandwich; strip the meat from the bones and serve it with buns, pickles, cabbage salad and any other fixins you’d like.
• Add peach preserves: We sometimes like adding peach preserves to the sauce for a little sweetness.

How to Store Baked Barbecue Chicken Breast

Store leftover baked barbecue chicken breast in shallow containers with tight-fitting lids.

How long will baked barbecue chicken breast last?

This chicken will keep in the fridge for three to four days.

Baked Barbecue Chicken Breast Recipe Tips

Can I make this chicken on the stovetop?

You can make barbecue chicken on the stovetop but we’d recommend following a different recipe. Follow our recipe for tasty skillet chicken with barbecue onion.

Can I make this recipe with other cuts of chicken?

Yes, you can use thighs and drumsticks if you prefer dark meat. You’ll just need to adjust the cook time accordingly. (Check out our ultimate guide to how to cook chicken.)

What should I serve with baked barbecue chicken?

We like serving this dish with roasted potatoes or steamed rice (for soaking up the extra sauce) and a big green salad. If you want to go the more traditional barbecue route, potato salad, coleslaw and corn on the cob would also make for tasty side dishes.