A bowl of rice topped with sweet and spicy baked chicken and garnished with parsley

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This sweet and spicy pulled baked chicken (that’s a mouthful I know but this chicken is just that; a delicious mouthful) is so easy, juicy, light and tasty! We were overstaffed at work so I got to stay home for part of the day and this chicken happened.

Our friend Jennifer graciously invited us over for dinner awhile back and she served us this chicken. It was so good! She shared the recipe with me. Her friend Melinda L. shared it with her. I love when a recipe has some history behind it. You know it’s amazing if a recipe has been “around the block.” That means it’s delicious enough to share and now I’m sharing it with you. Thank you Jennifer and Melinda so much! My husband and son REALLY loved it too!

Ingredients for Sweet and Spicy Baked Chicken:

4 chicken breasts

Ingredients for the sauce:

3 Tbsp ketchup
2 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp melted butter
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder

How to make Sweet and Spicy Baked Chicken:

Preheat oven to 450°F.
1. Combine all the sauce ingredients in a sauce pan, mix and simmer for 3-4 minutes then set aside.

sweet-and-spicy-baked-chicken

2. Place 4 chicken breasts in a 9 x 13 baking dish then pour sauce over the chicken. Using  tongs, coat the chicken in the sauce.

sweet-and-spicy-baked-chicken-1

3.Cover  baking dish tightly with foil, bake 10 minutes at 450°F, then 1 ½ hours at 350°F (no need to turn the chicken while baking).

Sweet and Spicy Baked Chicken-7

4. After the time is up, remove chicken from the oven. Using a couple forks, pull the chicken apart. The chicken will soak up the sauce and become ultra juicy and flavorful.

sweet-and-spicy-baked-chicken-2

Serve over rice or buckwheat kasha. Seriously this chicken is delicious!

sweet-and-spicy-baked-chicken-5

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Sweet and Spicy Baked Chicken

4.95 from 39 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
This sweet and spicy pulled baked chicken (that's a mouthful I know but this chicken is just that; a delicious mouthful) is so easy, juicy, light and tasty! My friend Jennifer shared the recipe with me. Her friend Melinda L. shared it with her. I love when a recipe has some history behind it. You know it's amazing if a recipe has been "around the block." That means it's delicious enough to share and now I'm sharing it with you.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 -8
  • 4 chicken breasts

Sauce Ingredients:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450°F.
  • Combine all the sauce ingredients in a sauce pan, mix and simmer for 3-4 minutes then set aside.
  • Place 4 chicken breasts in a 9 x 13 baking dish then pour sauce over the chicken. Using tongs, coat the chicken in the sauce.
  • Cover baking dish tightly with foil, bake 10 minutes at 450°F, then 1 ½ hours at 350°F (no need to turn the chicken while baking).
  • After the time is up, remove chicken from the oven. Using a couple forks, pull the chicken apart. The chicken will soak up the sauce and become ultra juicy and flavorful.
  • Serve over rice or buckwheat kasha. Seriously this chicken is delicious!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Sweet and Spicy Baked Chicken
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $

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Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Comments

  • Yuliya
    February 17, 2024

    Hello Natasha!
    Your recipes are such a delight! I don’t go a day without cooking from your website! I do have a question though. How do I access the nutritional facts?
    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 19, 2024

      Hi Yuliya, I’m so glad you’re enjoying my recipes! We are slowly working through all of our recipes to add nutrition info but it is a time consuming process as they have to be added one at a time. Thank you for being patient!

      Reply

  • Holly
    October 20, 2023

    Would it be possible to use frozen chicken breasts if that’s what I have on hand?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 20, 2023

      Hi Holly, I haven’t tried cooking this from frozen, but you can thaw them.

      Reply

  • Melissa Kohlmiller
    June 9, 2023

    I have made this several times and it is delicious. I want to try your crock pot version for convenience to take to a small party. I notice not all the ingredients are doubled in your crock pot version. Does the crock pot version taste exactly the same as the oven recipe?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      June 13, 2023

      HI Melissa, they are very similar but different cooking methods will always produce slightly different flavors, but they are very similar.

      Reply

  • Alexis
    May 13, 2023

    Absolutely fabulous! The chicken is so tender and the sauce is delicious without being overpowering. I made it with rice but next time will have it over mashed potatoes. Another superb recipe from Natasha’s kitchen!!!!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 13, 2023

      That sounds amazing, Alexis! Thank you for the feedback.

      Reply

  • Jennifer
    March 11, 2022

    Second time making this chicken…delicious! Love it over jasmine rice and I add some chopped broccoli to the bowl. Yum

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 11, 2022

      Yum indeed! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jennifer!

      Reply

  • Lisa H
    May 20, 2020

    Is this baked version suppose to be the same as the crockpot version? If so, why are the measurements different? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 20, 2020

      Hi Lisa, yes they are very similar! Since the slow cooker is a set it and forget it recipe many times they will require more liquid than a standard pot or baked method to not dry out in the slow cooker. The results are the same. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Zhenya
    March 18, 2020

    This looks SO good. I have to try it. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 19, 2020

      I can’t wait for you to try this recipe! I hope you love it.

      Reply

  • Dana
    September 16, 2018

    Can you tell me please how many pounds of chicken breast do I need for this recipe? Around 2 lb ?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 16, 2018

      Hi Dana, I wish I had measured it that way. I would say about 2 to 2.5 pounds worth.

      Reply

  • Lily
    May 26, 2018

    I have to say, one of the easiest recipes I have ever done! With my busy school schedule, this is going to be a huge blessing. And it’s so tasty! Please share more recipes this easy lol

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 26, 2018

      Hello Lily, I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for following and sharing your excellent review!

      Reply

  • Zory
    May 17, 2018

    Wow amazing as usual. Love the unique taste of it. So moist and yummy!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 17, 2018

      I’m glad you enjoy the flavor so much! Thanks for sharing your great review Zory!

      Reply

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