Juicy BBQ Chicken Thighs with Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Then look no further, these juicy BBQ chicken thighs are packed with smoky, sweet, and tangy flavours that will have your taste buds dancing! Whether you're grilling outdoors or baking in the oven, this recipe guarantees perfectly seasoned chicken thighs with crispy skin and a finger-licking BBQ sauce glaze. Serve them with your favourite sides, and you've got a crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress. Ready to fire up the BBQ or oven? Let’s get cooking!

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour (oven) or 30-40 minutes (grill)

What ingredients do I need for BBQ Chicken Thighs?

• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh coriander and lime wedges for garnish (optional)

How do I select the perfect chicken thighs?

For the juiciest BBQ chicken, choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. The bone helps to keep the meat moist while cooking, and the skin crisps up beautifully, adding texture and flavour. Look for thighs that are roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.

Preparing the chicken

Start by seasoning the chicken thighs. In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar. Rub this mixture evenly over the chicken thighs, making sure to coat all sides.

Drizzle the thighs with olive oil, ensuring the seasoning sticks and the skin crisps up nicely during cooking.

Cooking the chicken

There are two ways to cook your BBQ chicken thighs—using the oven or grilling them on the BBQ. Both methods will give you tender, juicy chicken with crispy skin.

Oven method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C.
2. Place the seasoned chicken thighs, skin side up, on a baking tray lined with baking paper or foil.
3. Bake for 40 minutes, then brush the chicken with half of the BBQ sauce. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C, and the skin is crispy.
4. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Grill method:

1. Preheat your BBQ or grill to medium-high heat.
2. Place the chicken thighs, skin side down, directly on the grill. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
3. During the last 10 minutes, brush the thighs with BBQ sauce and continue grilling until the internal temperature reaches 75°C, and the chicken has a nice char.

Garnishing and serving

Once your chicken thighs are cooked and juicy, it’s time to serve! Garnish with fresh coriander and lime wedges for a zesty finish, if desired. You can serve them with classic BBQ sides like:

• Grilled corn on the cob with butter and a pinch of chilli flakes.
• Potato salad for a creamy, tangy side.
• Coleslaw for a fresh, crunchy complement to the rich BBQ flavours.

Enjoy your perfectly BBQ'd chicken thighs with your favourite sides, and don’t forget to have extra BBQ sauce on hand for dipping!