Juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are tossed in a homemade smoky, sweet spice rub before baked in the oven. Baste with your favorite BBQ sauce for that authentic sticky glaze! 

Summertime is all about the barbecue. Dinners on the outdoor patio with friends and family members are one way that I love to celebrate the warmer, longer nights.

It’s also very much about the food! There’s a casual, fun vibe that comes with serving everything up family style and eating finger lickin’ good food.   

For those that may be intimidated by grilling or simply don’t have access to one, this Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs recipe is perfection.

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are incredibly juicy and cook up to absolute perfection when baked in a hot oven on a sheet pan. 

The refined sugar-free rub is a great staple to have on hand throughout the warmer months. It’s delicious on chicken, pork, and even seafood!

And while you don’t necessarily need to baste the meat with a sauce, it does give that glazed, sticky exterior that is synonymous with BBQ chicken.

And yes, you can make this for the grill as well if you’re a grilling queen or king! 

My recommendation is to make these the moment that summertime unveils itself. Whether you’re serving a crowd or just yourself, you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy! 

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Thighs

I highly suggest making a big batch of the homemade, refined sugar-free BBQ spice mix. It will last in your pantry throughout the summer months, and will elevate nearly any piece of protein.

• Coconut Sugar: To get that perfectly crispy, slightly sweet flavor, coconut sugar is a great base for this rub. Brown sugar works well too. 
• Spices: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, and cumin is a great seasoning blend that works well on chicken as well as pork. Make a batch during the summertime for easy barbecuing all season long. 

• Chicken: For this recipe, I suggest bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. They’re super juicy and the skin gets crispy and golden brown in the hot oven. 
• BBQ Sauce: This is optional, but if you love a wet rub then adding some BBQ sauce at the end will add even more flavor. I’ve tried a LOT of clean ingredient store bought BBQ sauces and @noblemade is my current favorite. Or you can try my homemade BBQ sauce recipe.
• Yellow Mustard: This key ingredient helps the rub stick to the chicken and adds a bit of acidity and tang too. 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Baked BBQ Chicken Things In the Oven

First, make the rub. Add the coconut sugar, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, pepper, onion powder, and cumin to a small bowl and stir to combine.

Next, coat the chicken with a layer of mustard and then cover with the rub, using your hands to incorporate.

I like to let the chicken sit in the fridge with the rub overnight but if you don’t have the time you can skip this step. 

Preheat the oven to 400°F. 

Add the chicken to a sheet pan, skin-side down, and bake for 20 minutes.

Flip and bake for another 20 minutes.

If you’re using BBQ sauce, baste the chicken in the sauce and bake for another 5 minutes.

I prefer it without the sauce because this rub is so yummy but you do you!

Serve and enjoy!

Tips For Making Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

Try This With:

• Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Lemony Chive Sauce
• Southwestern Micro-Chopped Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
• Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Crispy Chickpeas and Creamy Roasted Shallot Dressing