Easy Oven BBQ Chicken

I'm one of those "chicken is a flavor delivery device" kinda beef guys. In other words, I won't go out of my way to make it and won't order it in a restaurant. But, I have a family who loves the stuff so I find ways to pack in the flavor so I can enjoy it.

Oven BBQ is a fast way to get the flavor of a good 'que without having to hassle with a grill. Liquid smoke is the answer to getting the smokey flavor in. Using your favorite rub is the last half of the secret of making the oven baked stuff taste nearly as good as the grill. Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus and this Santa is going to give up his until now uber-secret rub recipe. (I won't be giving up my sun-dried tomato BBQ Sauce though...but I do pass jars along on request to fans of it when I make a batch).

Oven BBQ Chicken

4 chicken breasts - skin removed

2 T liquid smoke (I use the mesquite flavor)

4 T dry rub

Preheat oven to 350F. Place chicken breasts into a bowl and add the liquid smoke to marinate. Allow to sit 5 minutes. Use 1T per breast and rub into both sides very well. Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet sprayed lightly with a cooking oil. Bake 30-40 minutes until done. Serve with favorite BBQ Sauce.
Now for the dry rub. It is a recipe I came up with on my own, feel free to tweak as needed. Mine started loosely as a St Louis Style rub given to me by a friends folks when we lived near St Louis. I just can't keep to a recipe so I added in some extra spices that amp up the flavor without adding calories. IT is so good that you don't even have to add sauce to your ribs, chicken or whatever you apply it too.

Dry Rub Mix

• 1 C Paprika
  
• 1 C Brown Sugar
  
• 1 T sea salt (or kosher)
  
• 2 T dried Onion Flakes
  
• 2 T dried garlic
  
• 1T black pepper
  
• 1 T dry mustard
  
• ¼ t cayenne pepper
  
• ½ t red pepper flakes
  
• ¼ t nutmeg
  
• ½ t allspice
  

Put mix in blender or food processor and pulse until well blended. For large bulk spices I like to use “It’s Delish” brand as its huge quantities very cheap. Sea Salt or Kosher work better than regular table salt as they are sweeter with no metallic aftertaste. Store in cool dark place.