Description
BBQ chicken thighs on a sheet pan are the answer to wanting that sticky, smoky, caramelized barbecue flavor without firing up the grill. The thighs roast until the skin crisps, then get brushed with sauce and finished under the broiler for a glaze that is almost charred. Corn and sweet potatoes roast alongside for a complete dinner that tastes like summer no matter the season.
Ingredients
Units
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 ears corn, cut into 2-inch rounds
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Rub the spice blend all over the chicken thighs.
- Toss the sweet potatoes and corn with olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread on the baking sheet with the chicken thighs skin-side up on top.
- Roast 30 minutes until the chicken skin is crisp and the sweet potatoes are nearly tender.
- Brush the chicken thighs generously with half the BBQ sauce. Return to the oven for 5 minutes.
- Switch to the broiler and broil 2 to 3 minutes until the BBQ sauce is caramelized and slightly charred in spots. Watch carefully.
- Drizzle remaining BBQ sauce over the chicken. Top with sliced green onions and serve.
Notes
- Applying BBQ sauce near the end of cooking prevents it from burning — the sugar in the sauce will turn black long before the chicken is done.
- The broiler step is what gives the sauce that sticky, lacquered finish. Two minutes is usually enough — do not walk away.
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs are non-negotiable here. The fat renders out, bastes the meat, and the skin gives you something to caramelize the sauce onto.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 36
- Cholesterol: 140