Grandma Barb’s Baked BBQ Chicken
I grew up on a lot of bbq chicken recipes. Just like macaroni and cheese, it seems like everyone in my family has their own way of preparing baked bbq chicken. This is my grandma Barb’s recipe. I feature a lot of her down-home, tried, and true recipes on this site, like her fluffy yeast rolls, moist cream cheese pound cake, and cornbread dressing to name a few. They never disappoint which is why I’ve been begging her to create a cookbook.
This bbq chicken recipe is pretty easy. It’s super juicy and tender. Grandmother would whip this up on weekdays and serve it with roasted corn, stove-top mac n cheese, yeast rolls, green beans, and of course some good ol’ fashioned, ice-cold sweet tea to wash it all down. Ahhhh…to be a child again. I didn’t know how good I had it!
This bbq chicken recipe isn’t saucy like your typical baked barbecue chicken. The homemade bbq sauce is thin and bakes right into the chicken as it cooks. Â This isn’t a very bold style sauce which makes it pair up great with just about any side dish. It has that nice taste of tangy, sweet BBQ flavor without being too overpowering (not that I would ever complain about an overpowering bbq sauce)
Out of all the baked BBQ chicken recipes I make, my son seems to like this one the best. I guess because it’s not too spicy or smokey.
Watch me make this easy, baked bbq chicken recipe from start to finish!
Get the Recipe: Grandma Barb's Baked BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 small chicken, cut up (5 lbs)
- garlic pepper seasoning
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup water, I don't always add water but in the video, I did, forgot to mention
- 6 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2-3 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450.
- Place chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet and season both sides generously with garlic pepper seasoning.
- Mix all of the remaining ingredients in a bowl to create the bbq sauce.
- Place the sauce in the microwave to melt the butter if needed.
- Cover both sides of the chicken with bbq sauce.
- Bake skin side up for 40-45 minutes, basting with the bbq sauce every 15 minutes.
- Turn the oven to broil for the last two minutes of baking and broil for 1-2 minutes to crisp up the skin. Watch it carefully.
- Remove from oven and let chicken rest for about 5-7 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a smoky flavor, sprinkle the chicken with hickory salt or liquid smoke before baking.
Be careful not to overcook. Depending on the size of your chicken, you may need to adjust the cooking times.
You’re right sis! cant wait to cook with you on 4th of July!
Those look soooo yummy! Monique, you make really good recipes on this website! I’m going to try this recipe on 4th of July.
Loved, loved, loved this! I didn’t have time to make the sauce so I used Sweet Baby Rays but will make it next time for sure!! Thanks for sharing all these great tips and recipes.
Do we preheat oven to 350 or 450???
Monique, this was really really good! Thanks for sharing! The only issue I ran into is my chicken came out more smoked then the one in your picture and my smoke detector went off! Any suggestions for next time? This was really yummy nonetheless. Thank you! Keep up the good work!
Can you use bottled barbq sauce for the recipe?
That would defeat the purpose of this recipe!!!
Jill – This recipe is so DELICIOUS that I promise you that you will want to use it instead of store-brought BBQ. Thanks for sharing this GREAT recipe. I LOVE your site!!!!