If you’re anything like me, you know the magic of a good chicken thigh—juicy, flavorful, and just the right amount of crispy skin. This Oven BBQ Chicken Thighs with Peach Preserves Recipe is one of those meals that hits all the comfort food notes while surprising you with a lovely fruity twist. The peach preserves blend right into the BBQ sauce, creating this luscious glaze that’s sweet, tangy, and smoky all at once.
What I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to pull together on a busy weeknight or when guests drop by unexpectedly. You’ll find that roasting the chicken in the oven means you don’t have to babysit a grill, but still get that caramelized BBQ goodness. Plus, the peach preserves add this subtle, fresh flavor that you might not expect but will absolutely crave again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and Savory Flavor Fusion: The peach preserves add a unique fruitiness that perfectly balances the smoky BBQ sauce.
- Juicy and Tender Chicken: Oven roasting keeps the thighs moist inside while crisping up the skin beautifully.
- Simple Yet Impressive: No grill required—perfect for any season or indoor cooking.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Great for family dinners, weekend get-togethers, or meal prepping.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together like a dream to build layers of flavor. The peach preserves add that delicate sweetness that lifts the BBQ sauce, while garlic and optional hot sauce punch up the depth. Choose high-quality chicken thighs for the best results.
- BBQ sauce: Pick your favorite brand or homemade sauce to get the exact flavor you love.
- Peach preserves: This is the secret star that gives the sauce a fresh hint of fruitiness.
- Garlic: Freshly grated garlic adds a lovely aromatic boost.
- Hot sauce (optional): I add a dash for a subtle kick, but feel free to skip if you prefer mild.
- Olive oil: Helps get that crisp, golden skin during roasting.
- Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on): The best choice for juicy, flavorful meat and wonderfully crispy skin.
- Kosher salt: For seasoning that won’t overpower but perfectly enhances.
- Ground black pepper: Adds subtle warmth and balances the sweetness.
Variations
I love tweaking this recipe depending on the season or what I have in the pantry. Feel free to experiment with different fruit preserves or add spices to customize your version of Oven BBQ Chicken Thighs with Peach Preserves Recipe.
- Alternate Fruit Preserves: I’ve tried apricot or pineapple preserves—both give a delicious tropical twist that my family adored.
- Spicy Kick: Adding a bit more hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper turns it into a zesty treat for those who like heat.
- Herb Addition: Fresh thyme or rosemary mixed into the sauce adds an earthy aroma that takes the dish up a notch.
- Gluten-Free: Just be sure your BBQ sauce and preserves are gluten-free, and you’re good to go!
How to Make Oven BBQ Chicken Thighs with Peach Preserves Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Flavorful Peach BBQ Sauce
Start by combining your BBQ sauce, peach preserves, freshly grated garlic, and a splash of hot sauce (if you like it spicy) in a saucepan. Heat everything over medium for about 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture is hot and well blended. This step is key to melding the flavors and getting that perfect glaze consistency, so don’t rush it.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken for Roasting
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with foil for easy cleanup, then drizzle olive oil over the foil. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down on the sheets and season evenly with kosher salt and black pepper. This gives the skin a jumpstart on crisping up while the meat stays tender inside.
Step 3: Roast and Glaze in Layers
Roast the chicken thighs for 25 minutes to cook through most of the way. Then, pull the pans out and brush the tops with that luscious peach BBQ sauce. Using a spatula, gently flip the thighs skin-side up—be careful not to tear the skin! Brush with more sauce and pop them back in the oven for 7 minutes. Repeat the brushing and roasting two more times; this layering builds that sticky, flavorful crust.
Step 4: Finish with High Heat for Perfect Caramelization
After the final brush, crank the oven temperature up to 425°F and roast the chicken for an additional 5 to 7 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges of the sauce as it caramelizes and starts to brown—that’s your signal that the thighs are perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. Once done, let them sit for at least 10 minutes before digging in; this rest keeps the meat juicy and locks in the flavors.
Pro Tips for Making Oven BBQ Chicken Thighs with Peach Preserves Recipe
- Pat the Skin Dry: I always pat my chicken thighs dry before seasoning to ensure the skin crisps up beautifully.
- Brush in Layers: Adding the BBQ glaze in multiple layers creates a thick, caramelized coating that’s incredibly tasty.
- Use Bone-in Thighs: They stay juicier and more flavorful compared to boneless versions, and the skin crisps wonderfully.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: Leaving space around each thigh helps the skin brown evenly instead of steaming.
How to Serve Oven BBQ Chicken Thighs with Peach Preserves Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish these chicken thighs with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or cilantro for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Sometimes I add thinly sliced green onions to brighten it up. A wedge of lemon on the side helps cut through the sweetness if anyone wants a little extra zing.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with this Oven BBQ Chicken Thighs with Peach Preserves Recipe are creamy mashed potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes—both soak up the extra sauce beautifully. For a lighter touch, a crisp green salad or grilled veggies are perfect companions. Cornbread or dinner rolls round out the meal and take it to classic BBQ territory.
Creative Ways to Present
Once, for a small gathering, I served these chicken thighs on a large wooden board surrounded by grilled peach slices and fresh herbs to echo the flavors in the glaze. It made a stunning centerpiece that got everyone chatting. For a casual family meal, plating individual thighs on colorful plates with a drizzle of extra sauce keeps things inviting and cozy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Because the chicken stays so moist, it reheats beautifully without drying out. I always keep some extra peach BBQ sauce on the side to refresh the glaze when reheating.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken thighs by wrapping them tightly in foil and placing them in freezer bags. I usually freeze portions for up to 2 months, and the flavor holds up really well. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the chicken thighs in a 350°F oven on a baking sheet, uncovered, for about 10-12 minutes. This keeps the skin a little crispy rather than soggy like a microwave would. Add a quick brush of leftover peach BBQ sauce halfway through warming for that fresh-lathered taste.
FAQs
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Can I use boneless chicken thighs for this Oven BBQ Chicken Thighs with Peach Preserves Recipe?
Absolutely! Boneless thighs will cook faster, so reduce the roasting time by about 10 minutes and keep a close eye on them to prevent dryness. The skin won’t crisp up as well without it, but the peach BBQ glaze will still be delicious.
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What if I don’t have peach preserves on hand?
You can substitute with apricot or pineapple preserves for a slightly different but equally tasty fruity flavor. Alternatively, a small amount of fresh peach puree or jam works well too. Just adjust sweetness to your taste.
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How do I know when the chicken thighs are fully cooked?
The best way is to use an instant-read thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165°F. If you don’t have one, make sure the juices run clear when you pierce the thickest part of the thigh and the meat feels firm but not tough.
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Can I prepare the BBQ sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The peach BBQ sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Bringing it to room temperature before using makes it easier to brush onto the chicken and ensures even cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Oven BBQ Chicken Thighs with Peach Preserves Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it feels like a treat without being complicated. It’s one of those dishes that brings everyone to the table without stress, and the peach preserves add a little burst of summer sunshine even on chilly days. Give this recipe a try—you might find, like me, that it quickly becomes family favorite you’ll make again and again.
Print
Oven BBQ Chicken Thighs with Peach Preserves Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Oven BBQ Chicken recipe features juicy, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs roasted to perfection and basted with a flavorful homemade BBQ sauce infused with peach preserves and garlic. A sizzling finish at a higher temperature caramelizes the sauce, creating a sweet and savory glaze that makes this dish a crowd-pleaser, perfect for casual dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
BBQ Sauce
- 3 cups your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup peach preserves
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- Hot sauce, optional, to taste
Chicken
- Olive oil, for brushing
- 12 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the BBQ sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the BBQ sauce, peach preserves, grated garlic, and hot sauce if using. Heat over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce mixture is hot and well combined. Then set aside to keep warm.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven temperature to 400°F (205°C) to prepare for roasting the chicken.
- Prepare the baking sheets: Line two rimmed baking sheets with foil and drizzle olive oil over the foil. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down on the sheets. Evenly sprinkle the chicken with kosher salt and ground black pepper to season.
- Initial roasting: Roast the chicken in the oven for 25 minutes. This first part ensures the thighs cook through evenly.
- Baste and flip: Remove the chicken briefly from the oven. Brush a generous amount of the warm BBQ sauce all over the skin. Using a spatula, carefully flip the chicken thighs to the skin side up without tearing the skin. Brush more sauce onto the newly exposed side.
- Roast further with basting: Return the chicken to the oven and roast for another 7 minutes. Remove again, brush with more BBQ sauce, and roast for an additional 7 minutes to layer the flavors.
- Final roasting and caramelization: For the last step, brush on a final coat of sauce and increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Continue roasting for 5 to 7 minutes until the BBQ sauce starts to brown and caramelize around the edges, and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Rest before serving: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and juicy meat. Serve and enjoy the rich flavors!
Notes
- Using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs helps keep the meat moist and flavorful during roasting.
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce in the BBQ mixture to make it as mild or spicy as you prefer.
- Foil-lining the baking sheets makes cleanup easier and prevents sticking.
- Resting the chicken after cooking is essential for juicy texture.
- Serve this BBQ chicken with sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or corn on the cob for a classic meal.
