Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken

I wasn’t sure how I was going to post this recipe during the summer since everyone wants a good BBQ recipe that actually uses a grill, but here I was preparing an oven-baked BBQ chicken recipe because that’s what I do most of the time. I know how to grill, but I don’t like to start it out of fear of working with fire and coal. I know it’s strange and it’s something I do plan to conquer soon, but not at the moment…
So, now we find ourselves in the midst of a very rainy, very cold week in July. Odd, sure, but it’s a reality for us here in the Midwest. And cold or not, if it’s raining you won’t be able to grill in rainy weather. Perfect time for an oven-baked BBQ recipe that I’ve had plenty of time to make over and over again before sharing with you.
Here’s what you need:
Of course, dhabiha halal chicken. I use the drumsticks, but the thighs would work great here, too. Also, you’ll need sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, dark vinegar (I use date vinegar), honey and lime.
You’ll also need a pastry brush and wire whisk for stirring it all up well, as well as a bowl large enough for stirring up the sauce.
The first thing to do is to add olive oil to the bowl.
Add salt and pepper.
Then the honey.
And the vinegar. The recipe calls for date vinegar- if you don’t have it, you can use apple cider vinegar.
Give it a really good, long whisk so it thickens.
Now it’s ready to brush onto the chicken for the first of a few times.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush the chicken on each side.
It may seem like it’s a little runny when it goes on the first couple of times. But don’t worry.
Just do it a couple of times before putting into the oven.
Once in the oven, you’ll keep doing this every ten minutes (brushing each side) until it’s baked for at least 40-50 minutes and the sauce in your bowl gone.
This is what it looks like when done. I like to serve it up with some lime, for those who like to add a little zest or tart flavor to the sweetness in the sauce.
No forks allowed. Just have plenty of wet towels or hand wipes nearby…
Perfect indoor picnic food, wouldn’t you say?


- 1/8 cup olive oil
- 1 and 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 cup honey
- 1/8 cup dark vinegar (i.e. date vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
- 6 pieces of chicken drumsticks (about 3 pounds)
- 6 lime wedges (optional)
- In a medium size bowl, add the olive oil, then pour in the salt and pepper. Add the honey and give it a whisk. Add the vinegar and give it another few whisks until the mixture is completely combined and thickened.
- Preheat an oven to 350° F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the chicken a few inches apart. Brush each piece with the sauce, then turn over and brush again. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
- Brush each piece with BBQ sauce 1-2 times. Continue baking. Repeat this process (brushing each side) every 10 minutes for 40-50 minutes, or until the chicken is golden in color and caramelizing.
- Serve immediately. Offer lime wedges alongside, if desired.
- *You'll also need a pastry brush and wire whisk for this recipe. Parchment paper is recommended for use on a baking sheet to make clean up a whole lot easier.
- **This recipe easily doubles and triples, so if more chicken is being served, simply adjust ingredient amounts accordingly.
- ***Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken, away from the bone. It should read at least 165° F.
thank you for recipe.
can’t wait to cook it.^^
You’re welcome. Enjoy, insha’Allah!
How about the buffalo chicken ?
Masha’Allah
Very good
Looks delicious mashaAllah. Where do you get date vinegar from?
Is there any other vinegar you can use other then the one you have stated. Also as I want to make this very soon but not sure whether to make it in Ramadhan as i dont know how it will turn out, could you tell me what kind of taste does this bring to the chicken? As it has a lot honey in and no chilli etc will it be a very sweet taste? Hope to hear from you in sha Allah. Thanks xx
Rabiah, I updated this post with a link to the date vinegar I recommend. Please look for it right above the ingredients photo. Thanks!
I would imagine you can add your own extras like chilli flakes garlic etc. As for vinegar I don’t see why you can’t use white or brown normal vinegar as the cooking will evaporate it anyway
Salam, I am having difficulty trying to find date vinegar. Where could I get it from? Jzk
Wa’alaikum as salaam Sahdia, I updated this post with a link to the date vinegar I recommend. Please look for it right above the ingredients photo. Thanks!
Salam,Thnks for lovely recipies Yvonne 🙂
What is 350 F in celcius ? Can i add more spices nto it ? i like hot spicy flavour … thnx for replying in advance
Yes, you can definitely add more spices if you like. Just make sure they are ground spices because they may begin to burn in the oven or on the grill should they be flaked or whole.
It’s about 176 C.
Salaan akaikum…tnx 4 d recipe dear…I love onion n garlic…how do I get it into this fab recipe of urs? Mist grateful. ..mrs B.
Looking yummy!!
I will try it insha’Allah when I will go home on Eid!
Salam Yvonne,
Can I use balsamic vinegar to substitute with the date vinegar? Cause there’s none in my country here.
I’m sorry but why is it that everywhere I go, there is always an ingredient we cannot readily buy at the shops? The same goes for recipe books. Bit silly really. Please include alternatives. Date Vinegar is not something that is ‘common’. Thanks.
You can use apple cider vinegar- I should have mentioned that in the recipe.
Salaam
I was wondering do you flip the chicken every time you baste it while in the oven? Because isn’t only one side getting the sauce put on?
Please help! JazakAllah
Yes, you could do that.
Looks awesome!
I really need to try this asap!
can I use white vinegar instead of apple cider and date vinegar? And just like previous poster asked can I chop onions garlic and add it.? If yes, should i add when I start baking or when half baking is done.? Im new to cooking. Sorry if my questions seem silly
Mariya, no question is silly and I commend you for wanting to learn! To answer your question, you can use white vinegar although it is a lot stronger, in my opinion, than the others. I would not, however, add onions and garlic to this mix because you run the risk of them burning in the oven or on the grill, making the entire dish bitter and not so tasty.
Can I spread the chicken on aluminium foil or can I bake it in baking tray?
Yes, you can do that too!
Thank you!! JazakAllah
also I’m new to US, so you will be getting many questions from asking where I can buy the ingredients of ur recipes. Luckily had all for this recipe.
Masha’Allah, tnx for the recipes.
I have tried for my iftar yesterday, and Alhamdulillah it turned out very well. Thanks for this recipe. Salam from Malaysia.
I am making this recipe for my iftar tonight but am using chicken wings. Thank you for the recipe.
You are welcome- it’s a good idea to use wings, too!
Salam..i’ve tried this recipe for iftar n my husband loves it..i use whatever i hve in the kitchen..substitute using white vinegar n adding a lil’ dash of chilli powder..i don’t hve an oven but i use double grill pan on gas stove..turns out yummy!today,i try it out for the 2nd time on chix bishopnose & liver alongside with whole chix thigh..my husband can’t wait..tq for the recipe..
Is apple cider vinegar halal? Becaus i search it on other website that apple cider vinegar is haram.
This recipe looks so mouth-watering.
Can’t wait to try it out. Jazaakallahu khayran.
this is a wonderful chicken BBQ. I followed the recipe strictly and turned exactly the same with the one you have posted here. jzk sister Yvonne
What brand meat thermometer do you use? The two that I have take too long to measure the temp. Also where can you find date vinegar, Arabic grocery stores? Thanks.
I use thermometers purchased from a variety of sources- Williams-Sonoma, restaurant stores, etc. Just make sure it’s calibrated properly so if it’s from a good name brand it should be fine.
About the date vinegar, I purchased it from a Middle Eastern market in the Chicago area (Pita Inn Market in Niles, IL).
FYI Amazon.com has a variety of Date Vinegar with next day shipping if you need asap.
really appreciate it..ty for ur usefull info
JazakAllah for sharing this recipe , I made it today and its very tasty 🙂
Thank you for your website and for this recipe
I am currently in the process of making this and I notice that my chicken are virtually swimming in the bbq sauce. I followed your recipe except used apple cider since date vinegar in not readily available here in the UK [London]. Is this supposed to happen?
Thank you for your time