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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.
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.
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).
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.
Serve over rice or buckwheat kasha. Seriously this chicken is delicious!
Sweet and Spicy Baked Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
Sauce Ingredients:
- 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
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!
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
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!
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!
Would it be possible to use frozen chicken breasts if that’s what I have on hand?
Hi Holly, I haven’t tried cooking this from frozen, but you can thaw them.
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?
HI Melissa, they are very similar but different cooking methods will always produce slightly different flavors, but they are very similar.
Where is the crock pot version of sweet and spicy baked chicken?
Hi Regina, here is my Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe. I hope that helps.
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!!!!!
That sounds amazing, Alexis! Thank you for the feedback.
Second time making this chicken…delicious! Love it over jasmine rice and I add some chopped broccoli to the bowl. Yum
Yum indeed! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jennifer!
Is this baked version suppose to be the same as the crockpot version? If so, why are the measurements different? Thank you!
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.
This looks SO good. I have to try it. Thank you for sharing!
I can’t wait for you to try this recipe! I hope you love it.
Can you tell me please how many pounds of chicken breast do I need for this recipe? Around 2 lb ?
Hi Dana, I wish I had measured it that way. I would say about 2 to 2.5 pounds worth.
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
Hello Lily, I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for following and sharing your excellent review!
Wow amazing as usual. Love the unique taste of it. So moist and yummy!
I’m glad you enjoy the flavor so much! Thanks for sharing your great review Zory!