This Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken is a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner! Tender chicken breasts are baked in a delicious, sweet and savory sauce made with brown sugar, garlic, and thyme. I love how this recipe requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with rice, pasta, or your favorite vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
- Sweet and Savory: The combination of brown sugar, garlic, and thyme creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Tender and Juicy: Baking the chicken in the sauce ensures it stays moist and tender.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Minimal Cleanup: Everything bakes together in one dish.
- Versatile: Serve it with a variety of side dishes.
Ingredients for Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious chicken dish. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (Meat)
Seasoning
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Pepper (Spice)
Sauce
- Brown sugar (Sweetener)
- Water (Liquid)
- Garlic powder (Spice)
- Dried thyme (Herb)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Ground black pepper (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Use Chicken Thighs: Substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the breasts.
- Add More Spices: Add a pinch of paprika, onion powder, or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Make it Tangy: Add a tablespoon of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to the sauce.
- Add Vegetables: Place some sliced onions or bell peppers in the baking dish along with the chicken.
- Fresh Herbs: Use fresh thyme instead of dried for a more vibrant flavor.
How to Make Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken:
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish
- I preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- I spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Season Chicken
- I season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper.
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, I combine the brown sugar, water, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and ground black pepper.
Assemble and Bake
- I place the seasoned chicken in the prepared baking dish.
- I pour the brown sugar sauce over the top.
- I place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer.
Rest and Serve
- I remove the chicken from the oven and add it to serving plates.
- I drizzle the liquid (sauce) from the baking dish over the top of the cooked chicken. This sauce also tastes great drizzled over pasta and rice!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Baked Chicken
Here are my secrets for making this chicken truly exceptional:
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooked chicken is dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Use a Baking Dish: Using a baking dish helps to keep the chicken moist and allows the sauce to coat the chicken as it bakes.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar.
- Let it Rest: Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken breast.
How to Serve
This Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken is delicious served with:
- Rice: White rice, brown rice, or quinoa are all great options.
- Pasta: Serve it over your favorite pasta.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve with roasted broccoli, asparagus, carrots, or your favorite vegetables.
- Salad: A simple green salad would complement the chicken nicely.
Make Ahead and Storage
Leftover cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven, microwave, or a skillet.
FAQs about Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
- Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They may take a few minutes longer to cook.
- Can I make this without the brown sugar?
- The brown sugar adds sweetness and helps to create the glaze. You could try substituting with honey or maple syrup, but the flavor will be different.
- Can I add other spices?
- Yes, you can
Enjoy this easy, flavorful, and delicious Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken! It’s a perfect weeknight meal that the whole family will love.
Print
Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 1x
- Category: Main Course, Chicken
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken is a quick, easy, and flavorful baked chicken dish. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are seasoned and baked in a simple, savory-sweet sauce made with brown sugar, garlic, and thyme.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish (or a dish large enough to hold the chicken in a single layer) with non-stick cooking spray.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the packed brown sugar, water, garlic powder, dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir well until combined.
- Pour Sauce Over Chicken: Pour the brown sugar sauce evenly over the chicken breasts in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
- Serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Serve the chicken breasts warm, drizzled generously with the pan juices (sauce) from the baking dish.
Notes
- Chicken Breast Thickness: For even cooking, you can pound the chicken breasts to a more uniform thickness if they are very thick in parts.
- Doneness: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Sauce: The sauce will be thin when it comes out of the oven but is flavorful and perfect for drizzling over the chicken, rice, or pasta.
- Serving Suggestions: This chicken is delicious served with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
- Storage: Store leftover cooked chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.