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Easy Sticky Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe Perfect for Weeknight Dinners

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A quick and easy recipe for sticky brown sugar BBQ chicken thighs with a sweet, tangy, and smoky glaze, perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds / 1.4 kg)
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) BBQ sauce (recommended: Sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika if using.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, BBQ sauce, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Stir until smooth and glossy.
  5. Arrange chicken on a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet.
  6. Brush a generous layer of the glaze all over the chicken thighs.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  8. Halfway through baking, use tongs to flip the thighs and brush the other side with more glaze.
  9. Switch the oven to broil and broil the chicken for 3–5 minutes until the glaze caramelizes to a deep golden-brown sticky crust. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  10. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and glaze to set slightly.
  11. Serve warm.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for crispy skin. Apply glaze in layers, brushing halfway through cooking and before broiling. Watch broil step carefully to avoid burning. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for best flavor and texture. For gluten-free, verify BBQ sauce ingredients. Leftovers store up to 3 days refrigerated; reheat in oven to maintain glaze stickiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: sticky chicken thighs, brown sugar BBQ chicken, easy weeknight dinner, BBQ chicken recipe, baked chicken thighs, sweet and tangy chicken

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