The Juiciest Baked Barbecue Chicken Thighs with Onions Recipe
Mouthwatering baked barbecue chicken thighs with onions promise a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Succulent meat becomes the star of this simple yet irresistible dish.
Crispy skin and tender meat create a perfect balance of textures.
Weeknight dinners never looked this delicious or easy to prepare.
Minimal ingredients combine to deliver maximum satisfaction on your plate.
Spices and barbecue sauce work magic, turning ordinary chicken into something spectacular.
Grab a skillet and start cooking – this recipe will become your new dinner favorite.
Why Baked Barbecue Chicken Thighs Are A Hit
What You Need For Barbecue Chicken Thighs
Main Protein:Seasoning Blend:Sauce and Moisture Ingredients:Cooking Base and Aromatics:Additional Flavor Enhancers:How To Bake Barbecue Chicken Thighs Easily
Step 1: Fire Up The Oven
Crank the oven dial to a toasty 400F (200C) and let it warm up while you prep your delicious chicken.
Step 2: Massage Chicken With Flavor
Gently coat chicken thighs with olive oil and sprinkle on a magical blend of seasonings:Rub the spices into the meat like you’re giving it a luxurious spa treatment.
Step 3: Create A Tasty Bed Of Onions
Spread sliced onion rings across the bottom of a baking dish, creating a flavorful foundation for your chicken.
Step 4: Arrange Chicken On Onion Throne
Carefully place seasoned chicken thighs on top of the onion layer, ensuring each piece sits comfortably.
Step 5: Drench In Tangy Sauce
Whisk together barbecue sauce and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Pour this liquid gold generously over the chicken, making sure every inch gets coated.
Step 6: Bake To Perfection
Slide the baking dish into the hot oven and let it cook for 35-40 minutes. The chicken is ready when it hits 165F (75C) internally and sports a crispy, golden-brown skin.
Step 7: Garnish And Serve
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Plate with your favorite sidekicks and get ready to devour this mouthwatering meal.
Top Tips For Juicy Barbecue Chicken Thighs
Fun Ways To Change Barbecue Chicken Thighs
Good Pairings For Barbecue Chicken Thighs
How To Store Barbecue Chicken Thighs Correctly
FAQ Help For Barbecue Chicken Thighs
The combination of seasoned chicken thighs baked directly on top of caramelized onions creates a rich, flavorful base that infuses extra taste into the meat while keeping it incredibly juicy.
Yes, boneless chicken thighs work perfectly. Just adjust cooking time slightly – they typically cook 5-10 minutes faster than bone-in thighs, so monitor the internal temperature carefully.
Pat the chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning, use a high oven temperature (400F), and avoid covering the baking dish during cooking. These steps help achieve that perfectly crisp, golden-brown skin.
Print
Baked Barbecue Chicken Thighs with Onions Recipe
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Sizzling barbecue chicken thighs bring smoky Southern comfort to dinner tables with irresistible caramelized onions. Juicy meat and tangy sauce promise a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Meat:
- 8 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Sauce and Other Ingredients:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 large onion, peeled and sliced into rings
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400F (200C), creating an ideal roasting environment for succulent chicken thighs.
- Massage chicken thighs with olive oil, coating evenly with a robust blend of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Spread sliced onion rings across the bottom of a large baking dish, creating a flavorful foundation for the chicken.
- Nestle seasoned chicken thighs directly on top of the onion layer, ensuring even positioning.
- Combine barbecue sauce and apple cider vinegar in a small mixing bowl, whisking until thoroughly blended.
- Drizzle the tangy sauce mixture completely over the chicken, ensuring full coverage of each thigh.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven, roasting for 35-40 minutes until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F (75C).
- Check for crispy, golden-brown skin as an additional indicator of doneness.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the top for a vibrant finish.
- Plate alongside preferred accompaniments and serve immediately for maximum flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Select bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness, ensuring crispy exterior and tender meat.
- Use homemade or high-quality barbecue sauce to elevate the dish’s overall taste profile and complexity.
- Slice onions uniformly to promote even cooking and caramelization underneath the chicken thighs.
- For gluten-free option, verify barbecue sauce ingredients and choose certified gluten-free brand to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Samantha Lee
Recipe Developer & Content Creator
Expertise
Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops
Education
Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)
Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.