One-Pan St. Louis Style BBQ Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs cooked with a tangy and smoky BBQ glaze inspired by the vibrant St. Louis regional flavors. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 cup St. Louis-style BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create a dry rub.
- Step 2: Pat dry 6 bone-in chicken thighs and rub the spice mix evenly over all sides. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 3: Sear the chicken thighs skin side down for 5 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden, then flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Mix 3/4 cup St. Louis-style BBQ sauce with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup water, then pour over the chicken in the skillet.
- Step 5: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce is bubbling and thickened.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan St. Louis Style BBQ Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pan St. Louis Style BBQ Chicken Thighs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan St. Louis Style BBQ Chicken Thighs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pan St. Louis Style BBQ Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pan St. Louis Style BBQ Chicken Thighs?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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