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Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

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This Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken features juicy chicken breasts baked with a caramelized brown sugar, garlic, and thyme glaze. It's a quick and crowd-pleasing option perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions, with a glossy sweet-savory sauce that delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.
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Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 335
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • olive oil for brushing chicken
  • salt and pepper to season the chicken
For the Brown Sugar 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

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Basting brush
  • Paper towels
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cup

Method
 

  1. Set your oven to 400°F and lightly coat a baking dish with non-stick spray. Dry the chicken breasts with paper towels. Brush both sides with olive oil, then season each side generously with salt and pepper.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, water, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and everything is well blended.
  3. Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Pour the brown sugar mixture evenly over the chicken so each piece is coated.
  4. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
  5. Take the chicken out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Spoon some of the pan sauce over each chicken breast just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 33gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 723mgSugar: 12g

Notes

Boneless skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for breasts—just check for doneness at 25 minutes as they may take slightly longer. You can prepare the brown sugar sauce up to two days in advance; stir before using. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to three days; cover with sauce to maintain moisture. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed. Serve this dish with rice or roasted vegetables to soak up the flavorful sauce. The recipe is not ideal for freezing as the chicken may lose some tenderness after thawing.

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