Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

image of A top down mise en place shot of fresh ingredients arranged on a white marble kitchen counter with healthy clear glass bowls and rustic brown wooden kitchen sets under soft diffuse daylight featuring chicken breasts brown sugar garlic cloves butter olive oil salt pepper soy sauce chicken broth

Benjamin

Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

This easy baked garlic brown sugar chicken delivers a sweet and savory flavor with a caramelized glaze that's perfect for weeknight dinners, balancing the richness of brown sugar, pungent garlic, and salty soy sauce for a family favorite.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

1.5 lbs Chicken boneless, skinless breasts or thighs
1/2 cup Brown sugar dark or light brown, packed
4-6 cloves Garlic minced
4 tbsp Butter unsalted
1/4 cup Soy sauce low-sodium
2 tbsp Chicken broth or water
1/2 tsp Salt to taste
1/4 tsp Black pepper to taste
1 pinch Dried thyme or oregano optional, for extra savory flavor

Equipment

Oven-safe skillet
oven

Method

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If using thick chicken breasts, slice them horizontally to create even cutlets (about 1/2-inch thick). Season the chicken on both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
In a medium, oven-safe skillet (cast iron works best), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 60 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Whisk in the brown sugar, soy sauce, and chicken broth or water until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly. Sprinkle in the pinch of dried thyme or oregano if using.
Place the seasoned chicken pieces directly into the skillet. Spoon the glaze generously over the tops of the chicken pieces, making sure they are well coated in the sauce.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 18-25 minutes. For chicken breasts, check internal temperature at 18 minutes (should reach 165°F/74°C). For thighs, check around 20-25 minutes (up to 175°F for tenderness).
For the last 2 minutes, switch the oven to broil (HI) and watch closely to create a deeply caramelized brown sugar glaze. Remove from oven.
Let the chicken rest in the sauce for 5 minutes. Spoon the residual sauce over the chicken before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 35gFat: 15g

Notes

Don't skip the broil for the sticky glaze. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in oven to retain moisture. This recipe is great for chicken thighs for juicier results.

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