Oven-Baked, Best Ever, Juiciest Chicken Recipe

Name: Oven-Baked, Best Ever, Juiciest Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 10 cups cold water; 2 cups golden brown sugar, packed; 1 tablespoon coarse salt (like Sea Salt); 2 (3 1/2-4 lb) roasting chickens, halved lengthwise; 1 cup barbecue sauce; DRY SEASONING RUB; 3 tablespoons fresh coarse ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar; 3 tablespoons paprika; 2 tablespoons salt; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Servings: persons

10 cups cold water
2 cups golden brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon coarse salt (like Sea Salt)
2 (3 1/2-4 lb) roasting chickens, halved lengthwise
1 cup barbecue sauce
DRY SEASONING RUB
3 tablespoons fresh coarse ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1
Mix 10 cups water, sugar and salt in a large roasting pan or stock pot.
2
Place chicken skin side down in the water mixture (add more water if necessary to cover chicken.).
3
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
5
Drain chicken and pat dry.
6
Place chicken halves skin side down in a single layer on heavy large baking sheet with rim, that has been lined with aluminum foil, preferably Release foil.
7
Brush each half with 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce.
8
Sprinkle with 1-1/4 teaspoon of Rub.
9
Turn halves over and repeat.
10
Bake chicken skin sides up, basting every 20 minutes (VERY IMPORTANT) with pan juices, for about 2 hours.
11
THIS IS WORTH THE EFFORT!
12
If you use chicken parts, like breast, thigh or drumsticks, reduce the cooking time to 1 hour, 30 minutes-ish. And reduce cooking time even more if using a convection oven.

579

kcal

Calories

Fat

126

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 11 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 10 cups cold water, 2 cups golden brown sugar, packed, 1 tablespoon coarse salt (like Sea Salt), 2 (3 1/2-4 lb) roasting chickens, halved lengthwise, and more.

Yes, Oven-Baked, Best Ever, Juiciest Chicken falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Oven-Baked, Best Ever, Juiciest Chicken

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions