Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Recipe
This Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts baked in a sweet and savory brown sugar garlic sauce, seasoned with thyme and black pepper. It’s an easy, flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep, served best with rice or pasta to soak up the delicious sauce.
- 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 the chicken
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 (204°C). 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 to enhance flavor.
- Make the Brown Sugar Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of water, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper until well combined. This creates a sweet and savory glaze for the chicken.
- Coat the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the prepared baking dish. Pour the brown sugar sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated to infuse flavor during baking.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cook until the chicken is fully done and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer, indicating safe consumption.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to serving plates. Drizzle the flavorful brown sugar sauce from the baking dish over the chicken. This sauce is versatile and also pairs wonderfully when drizzled over pasta or rice.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is cooked through by checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- You can substitute dried thyme with fresh thyme if available for a more vibrant flavor; just reduce slightly.
- For a crispier top, broil the chicken for the last 2 minutes of cooking while watching carefully to avoid burning.
- This dish pairs nicely with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a side salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: brown sugar garlic chicken, baked chicken breast, easy chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken, thyme chicken, weeknight dinner
