Description

This Oven Baked BBQ Chicken features tender, juicy chicken pieces baked in a quick homemade barbecue sauce made from ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. The chicken is baked then broiled to caramelize the sauce and crisp the skin, making for a flavorful and easy family-friendly meal perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Quick Homemade Barbecue Sauce

1 cup ketchup or Australian/UK tomato sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp mustard powder
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh black pepper
1 cup water

For the Chicken

1.5 kg (3 lb) chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on), drumsticks, or wings
Fresh parsley, chives, or finely chopped green onions, for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) to prepare for baking the chicken.
Prepare Sauce: In a ceramic or glass baking dish, mix together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and water until well combined.
Coat Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the sauce in the baking dish and turn them to coat thoroughly with the sauce. Arrange the chicken skin side down.
Bake Initial: Bake the chicken in the oven for 20 minutes.
Turn and Baste: Remove the baking dish from the oven, turn the chicken pieces over, and spoon some more sauce over them to keep them moist and flavorful.
Bake Further: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
Skim Fat (Optional): Tilt the pan and spoon or drain off any excess fat that has accumulated.
Broil to Caramelize: Switch your oven setting to broiler/grill on high. Generously spoon sauce over the chicken and place the dish under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to caramelize the sauce and crisp the skin. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley, chives, or green onions before serving.

Notes

Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces for juicier and more flavorful results.
Keep a close eye during broiling to prevent the sauce from burning.
Draining excess fat after baking improves the sauce’s texture and flavor.
Adjust the sweetness or tanginess of the barbecue sauce by modifying brown sugar or vinegar quantities according to preference.