Caramelized BBQ Chicken Thighs in the Oven Recipe
Delicious caramelized BBQ chicken thighs cooked in the oven, featuring a flavorful marinade and a sticky, smoky BBQ sauce glaze. These boneless, skinless thighs are marinated for enhanced flavor, baked to tender perfection, and finished under the broiler for a crispy, caramelized crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes + 1-12 hours marinating
- Cook Time: 30-31 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes to 12 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large sealable container, combine the chicken thighs, avocado oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and dried mustard. Toss well to evenly coat the chicken with the marinade. Seal the container and refrigerate for at least one hour, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
- Prepare and Bake: Remove the chicken from the marinade and toss the thighs with 1/4 cup of the BBQ sauce so they are lightly coated. Arrange the thighs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Flip and Glaze: After 15 minutes, flip each chicken thigh over on the baking sheet. Brush the tops generously with more BBQ sauce from the reserved amount. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes to cook through and build layers of flavor.
- Broil for Caramelization: Increase the oven heat to the broil setting. Flip the thighs again and brush with the remaining BBQ sauce. Broil for 5-6 minutes, watching closely, until the sauce becomes sticky, caramelized, and the chicken edges develop a crispy, slightly charred texture. Ensure chicken is cooked thoroughly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side as desired for a rich, smoky flavor experience.
Notes
- Marinating overnight intensifies the flavor and tenderizes the chicken.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Watch closely during broiling to avoid burning the BBQ sauce.
- Boneless, skinless thighs are chosen for quick cooking and even flavor absorption.
- Adjust the BBQ sauce quantity based on your preference for sauciness.
Keywords: BBQ chicken thighs, oven baked chicken, caramelized BBQ chicken, easy chicken recipe, boneless chicken thighs
