Sticky BBQ Chicken
About this recipe
There’s nothing quite like a perfectly glazed chicken—golden, tender, and packed with bold BBQ flavour. This Sticky BBQ Chicken recipe hits that sweet spot between comfort food and crowd-pleasing indulgence. Made with juicy drumsticks, thighs, or wings, every piece is seasoned with a warm blend of paprika, garlic, herbs, and pepper, then finished with a sticky-sweet glaze that brings all the smoky, tangy notes you'd expect from a great BBQ.
What makes this version stand out? The BBQ glaze is layered with depth: smoky BBQ sauce meets a hint of heat from chilli flakes, subtle crunch from sesame seeds, and a balance of honey and brown sugar that caramelises beautifully in the oven. It’s glossy, rich, and perfect for licking off your fingers.
This recipe is perfect for dinner, meal prep, or sharing with friends at a weekend cookout—and it pairs perfectly with my jollof rice recipe for a truly satisfying meal.
FAQ: Sticky BBQ Chicken
1. What chicken cuts work best?
Drumsticks, thighs, or wings work best thanks to their juiciness and ability to hold flavour. Skin-on cuts will give you that beautiful, crispy outer layer under the glaze.
2. Can I use boneless chicken?
Yes, boneless works, but reduce cooking time to prevent drying out. Bone-in retains more flavour and moisture, especially when glazed.
3. How do I get that glossy, sticky finish?
Baste the chicken halfway through cooking, then again towards the end. The honey and brown sugar caramelise to create that sticky, finger-licking coating.
4. Is this very spicy?
There’s a mild kick from the chilli flakes and white pepper, but it’s balanced by the sweetness of honey and sugar. You can adjust the heat by reducing or omitting the chilli flakes.
5. Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! Marinate the chicken with the dry spices ahead of time, and store the glaze separately. Cook when ready to serve. Leftovers reheat well too.
6. Oven or grill – which is better?
The oven ensures even cooking and caramelisation, especially for large batches. If you want that extra smokiness, finish it off under the grill or on a BBQ for a few minutes.
7. How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best texture.
Ingredients
Chicken & Seasoning
- 1.2kg chicken portions (drumsticks, thighs, or wings)
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- 1 tsp onion granules
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp parsley
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp oregano
Sticky BBQ Glaze
- 150g smoky BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp parsley
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 3 tsp honey
Chicken & Seasoning
- 2.4kg chicken portions (drumsticks, thighs, or wings)
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic granules
- 2 tsp onion granules
- 2 tsp white pepper
- 2 tsp parsley
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp oregano
Sticky BBQ Glaze
- 300g smoky BBQ sauce
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
- 2 tsp parsley
- 2 tsp chilli flakes
- 4 tsp brown sugar
- 6 tsp honey
Chicken & Seasoning
- 3.6kg chicken portions (drumsticks, thighs, or wings)
- 3 tbsp paprika
- 3 tsp garlic granules
- 3 tsp onion granules
- 3 tsp white pepper
- 3 tsp parsley
- 1½ tsp ground coriander
- 1½ tsp oregano
Sticky BBQ Glaze
- 450g smoky BBQ sauce
- 3 tsp sesame seeds
- 3 tsp parsley
- 3 tsp chilli flakes
- 6 tsp brown sugar
- 9 tsp honey
Ingredients
Chicken & Seasoning
- 2.6 lbs chicken portions (drumsticks, thighs, or wings)
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- 1 tsp onion granules
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp oregano
Sticky BBQ Glaze
- 5.3 oz smoky BBQ sauce (about ⅔ cup)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
Chicken & Seasoning
- 5.3 lbs chicken portions (drumsticks, thighs, or wings)
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic granules
- 2 tsp onion granules
- 2 tsp white pepper
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp oregano
Sticky BBQ Glaze
- 10.5 oz smoky BBQ sauce (about 1¼ cups)
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp chilli flakes
- 4 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
Chicken & Seasoning
- 7.9 lbs chicken portions (drumsticks, thighs, or wings)
- 3 tbsp paprika
- 3 tsp garlic granules (1 tbsp)
- 3 tsp onion granules (1 tbsp)
- 3 tsp white pepper (1 tbsp)
- 3 tsp dried parsley (1 tbsp)
- 1½ tsp ground coriander
- 1½ tsp oregano
Sticky BBQ Glaze
- 15.8 oz smoky BBQ sauce (about 1¾ cups)
- 3 tsp sesame seeds (1 tbsp)
- 3 tsp dried parsley (1 tbsp)
- 3 tsp chilli flakes (1 tbsp)
- 6 tsp brown sugar (2 tbsp)
- 3 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (fan) or 220°C (conventional).
- Mix together all the spices: paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, white pepper, parsley, coriander, and oregano.
- Add a little oil to the chicken portions and rub it in.
- Coat the chicken evenly with the spice blend.
- Place the chicken on a wire rack over a tray.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
- While the chicken cooks, mix the marinade: BBQ sauce, sesame seeds, parsley, chilli flakes, brown sugar, and honey.
- After 20 minutes, take the chicken out and brush on the first layer of marinade.
- Return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Take it out again and glaze both sides with more marinade.
- Bake for a final 5–10 minutes, until cooked through and sticky.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
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