2-Ingredient Baked Barbecue Chicken for Two

I grew up with some of Oakland, California’s best barbecue close at hand.

I still remember those sticky, slightly sweet, wonderfully pungent meals served on paper plates piled with meat, coleslaw and potatoes. Cups of barbecue sauce (affiliate link) were passed around, and we were happy kids.

With those memories, I wondered whether I could make a satisfying barbecue chicken dinner that was both easy and a little lighter.

As it turns out, you can!

This 2-Ingredient Baked Barbecue Chicken for Two uses just a boneless chicken breast and your favorite barbecue sauce (affiliate link).

The trick is baking the chicken on a rack so it roasts instead of steaming, then finishing it under the broiler for that slightly crisp, sticky barbecue coating.

It’s a simple way to enjoy delicious barbecue chicken without firing up the grill.

Just Two Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast: One large chicken breast, about 10 ounces, makes two servings.
• Barbecue sauce: Use your favorite bottled sauce, whether you prefer sweet, smoky or tangy.

A little freshly ground black pepper is optional.

That’s all you need!

How to Make Baked Barbecue Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the oven and pan.

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Line a baking sheet (affiliate link) with foil and place a lightly greased roasting rack on top.

Step 2: Add the chicken and sauce.

Place the chicken breast on the rack and brush with 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce.

Step 3: Bake and baste.

Bake for 20 minutes, brushing with more barbecue sauce after the first 10 minutes.

Step 4: Turn the chicken.

Turn the chicken over, brush with another 2 tablespoons of sauce, and continue baking for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part.

Step 5: Finish under the broiler.

Switch the oven to broil.

Turn the chicken once more, brush lightly with additional barbecue sauce, and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, until the top is slightly crisp and the sauce is nicely caramelized.

Step 6: Slice and serve.

Remove from the oven, slice into two portions, and serve with the remaining barbecue sauce.

The Secret to Better Oven-Baked Barbecue Chicken

The biggest difference with this recipe is the roasting rack.

By lifting the chicken above the baking sheet (affiliate link), hot air can circulate around it instead of letting it sit in its own juices.

Then a quick finish under the broiler gives the barbecue sauce that slightly sticky, caramelized coating I remember from childhood.

It’s a simple technique that makes baked barbecue chicken taste a little more like the real thing.

Can I Make This BBQ Chicken in the Air Fryer?

Absolutely! An air fryer is a great alternative, especially when you’re cooking for one or two and don’t want to turn on the oven.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
2. Lightly coat the chicken breast with barbecue sauce and place it in the air fryer basket.
3. Air fry for 8 minutes, then flip and brush with more sauce.
4. Continue cooking for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
5. Brush with a little more barbecue sauce and air fry for another 1 to 2 minutes, if needed, to caramelize the sauce.

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Tip: Because barbecue sauce contains sugar, I like adding most of it during the second half of cooking so it becomes sticky and caramelized without burning.

Recipe Notes

Use your favorite barbecue sauce. The sauce provides most of the flavor, so choose one you really enjoy.

Chicken breast size matters. This recipe uses one large, 10-ounce chicken breast. A smaller or thinner breast may cook more quickly, so use the internal temperature rather than time alone to judge doneness.

For more servings: Increase the amount of chicken and sauce, arranging the pieces in a single layer on the roasting rack.

No grill needed. The oven and broiler do all the work.

What to Serve with Barbecue Chicken

For me, barbecue chicken practically calls for coleslaw and potatoes.

Try it with a simple apple coleslaw, sliced fresh tomatoes, and a side of crispy baked zucchini fries.

A baked potato, corn on the cob or a simple green salad would also be delicious.

What to Do with Leftovers

Leftover barbecue chicken makes a great lunch, either cold or gently reheated.

You can wrap it in foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes, or until heated through.

It’s also delicious chopped and added to this BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad.

How Many Calories and WW Points ?

According to my calculations, each serving has about 244 calories.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
6 PointsPlus (Old plan)

Using regular Barbecue Sauce.

Turn this into a lower calorie dish with just 1 WW Point by substituting your favorite sugar-free Barbecue Sauce.

If you’ve made this Low-Fat Barbecue Baked Chicken, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

• 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken – Another easy way to enjoy barbecue chicken.
• Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs – A flavorful option for grilling season.
• 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken – A simple, versatile chicken dinner.
• Grilled Ginger Lime Chicken – A longtime favorite with bright, fresh flavor.