These BBQ chicken thighs are one of my mother-in-law’s specialties! This version is paleo and can be made whole30 and AIP.

Betsy’s Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

A few years ago, we were at my in-laws for a family dinner and my mother in law, Betsy, made oven-baked BBQ chicken thighs that she apparently used to make when my husband, Daniel, and his siblings were kids. We actually asked for the recipe so we could make it at home, and ever since then, I make this constantly for my husband!! In celebration of mother’s day, I wanted to share recipes from both my own mom and MIL, and this was the obvious one to make to honor Betsy!

These oven-baked BBQ chicken thighs are easy to make, they fall off the bone, and they’re easy to modify for different diets like paleo, whole30, and even AIP!

The Ingredients You’ll Need

Bone-in chicken thighs

You can also use full thigh/leg quarters or boneless thighs! I’ve experimented with all 3 and Daniel really likes boneless. However, I feel like keeping the bone in makes them juicier. Regardless, you can mix it up.

Ghee 

I also add a big pat of butter or ghee onto the chicken thighs to keep them juicy and flavorful. You can also use other cooking fats like coconut oil or avocado oil for AIP, but the ghee really adds something if you can tolerate it.

Garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and coconut sugar

The amount can actually vary depending on the BBQ sauce you use, but I like to add a little extra for even more flavor!

BBQ sauce

Here’s where you can get creative and mix it up to use whatever you have. Typically, the BBQ sauce I use for Daniel is The New Primal.

I also have an AIP bbq sauce recipe here!

How to make Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

• Make the rub and top with bbq sauce: Mix the salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and coconut sugar together to make a rub. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with the rub. Transfer the chicken thighs to the casserole dish and top with ghee and bbq sauce.
• Bake low and slow: Cover the casserole dish and transfer to the oven. Bake for 90 minutes at 325 F
• Finish and crisp: Remove from the oven and remove the cover. Raise the oven temperature to 400 F and transfer back to the oven. Bake for an additional 15-25 minutes, or until the desired crispness is reached. Top with chopped parsley and serve fresh.

What BBQ sauce should you use?

Here are some options…

Paleo/Whole30 BBQ sauce

• The new primal
• Homemade BBQ sauce

AIP BBQ Sauce

• KC naturals
• Homemade BBQ sauce

Can you make them ahead of time? How should you store BBQ chicken thighs?

You can! I basically always batch cook these for Daniel to eat throughout the week. I store them in glass in the fridge for 3-4 days.

What can you serve these BBQ chicken thighs with?

Here are some ideas…

• Bacon broccoli salad
• Coleslaw
• Bacon ranch sweet potato salad

You’ll also love…

• Nightshade-Free BBQ sauce
• Filipino Chicken Adobo
• Peach Balsamic Chicken Thighs