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.