Introduction

Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken is a simple and flavorful dish that combines sweet and savory elements for a comforting meal. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create juicy chicken breasts glazed with a rich brown sugar garlic sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an easy meal prep option.

The image shows three pieces of cooked chicken breasts in a white dish, covered with a shiny orange-brown sauce with black and green herbs sprinkled all over. The chicken breasts have a smooth yet slightly bumpy texture, appearing juicy and well-coated in the glossy sauce. The sauce pools around the chicken, filling the dish's bottom with a rich, warm color and a slightly thick consistency. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with gentle light highlighting the chicken’s moist, tender look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper (to season the chicken)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp water
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, water, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir well to make the sauce.
Step 3: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Pour the brown sugar sauce evenly over the top of the chicken.
Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F using a meat thermometer.
Step 5: Remove the dish from the oven and transfer the chicken to serving plates. Drizzle the sauce from the baking dish over the chicken before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce for 30 minutes before baking.
Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle heat.
Use fresh garlic minced instead of garlic powder for a more intense garlic flavor.
Serve the chicken with steamed vegetables or over rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat to maintain moisture and flavor.

How to Serve

A round white cooking pot contains three cooked chicken breasts covered in a thick orange-brown sauce mixed with black and green herbs. The chicken breasts have a lightly browned, glossy surface with visible seasoning of black pepper and green parsley flakes sprinkled on top. The sauce pools around the chicken, coating the bottom and sides of the pot with some sauce residue on the pot’s edges. The pot sits on a white and black checked cloth over a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken breasts for this recipe?

Yes, you can use bone-in chicken breasts, but you will need to adjust the baking time. Bone-in chicken usually requires about 30-35 minutes at 400°F to cook through.

Is it possible to make this recipe on the stovetop?

Absolutely. Brown the chicken breasts in a skillet over medium heat, then add the sauce and simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens.

Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 149 reviews

This Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken recipe features tender boneless skinless chicken breasts baked to perfection with a sweet and savory brown sugar garlic sauce. A simple yet flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.

Author: Sophie
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: 30-35 minutes
Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper, to season

Brown Sugar Garlic Sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp water
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper.
Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, water, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir well until the sugar dissolves slightly and the ingredients form a cohesive sauce.
Assemble in Baking Dish: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Pour the brown sugar garlic sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring it is well coated.
Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F as verified with a meat thermometer.
Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to serving plates. Drizzle the flavorful liquid from the baking dish over the chicken for extra moisture and taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F internal temperature.
For a crispier top, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to avoid burning.
Substitute dried thyme with fresh thyme for a brighter herb flavor.
Can be served with rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Keywords: brown sugar garlic chicken, baked chicken, sweet garlic chicken, easy chicken dinner, oven baked chicken breasts