Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Recipe

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Quick Baked Breasts or Thighs

Tender chicken baked in a caramelized brown-sugar garlic butter sauce. Fast, family-friendly, and 100% weeknight approved.

Close-up of baked chicken coated in glossy brown sugar garlic sauce in a white dish with light herb flecks; quick juicy dinner.

Why you’ll love it

  • Quick chicken breast recipe with big flavor
  • Works with breasts or thighs (baked, skillet, or crockpot)
  • Sticky, glossy sauce kids love
  • Great with rice, potatoes, or green beans

Ingredients (notes only)

Full measurements are in the recipe card.
Chicken: breasts or thighs, butter or olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika
Sauce: brown sugar, fresh garlic, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, butter, optional chili flakes
Finish: chopped parsley or basil (optional)

How to make it

  1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  2. Sear quickly in a hot skillet with butter until lightly golden.
  3. Whisk sauce (brown sugar, garlic, broth, vinegar, butter). Pour over chicken.
  4. Bake at 400°F until juicy and the sauce is thick and glossy. Spoon sauce over to serve.

Pro tips

  • Pound breasts to even thickness so they cook evenly
  • Let sauce bubble at the end to get sticky and caramelized
  • For thighs, cook to 175°F for best texture
  • Add a pinch of chili flakes for gentle heat

How to serve

  • Over mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles
  • With roasted green beans or a crisp salad
  • Spoon extra sauce on top at the table

Make ahead & storage

  • Fridge: 3–4 days (sauce thickens loosen with a splash of broth)
  • Freeze: up to 2 months (thaw overnight)
  • Reheat: low heat on the stovetop, add a little broth if needed

FAQs

Breasts vs thighs? Both work; breasts 165°F, thighs 175°F.
Crockpot option? See card notes 4 hours LOW (no sear needed).
Skillet only? Simmer covered 8–10 minutes; uncover to reduce sauce.
Too sweet? Add 1–2 tsp vinegar or lemon juice to balance.

Sarah

Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

Juicy chicken baked in a glossy brown sugar garlic butter sauce. Quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights with just 30 minutes from start to finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Home-style
Calories: 365
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ lb chicken breasts or thighs (4 pieces)
  • 1 tbsp butter (for searing)
  • ¾ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

Equipment

  • oven-safe skillet
  • whisk
  • cutting board
  • knife
  • tongs or spatula

Method
 

  1. Heat oven to 400°F (205°C). Pat chicken dry; season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  2. Melt 1 tbsp butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
  3. Whisk brown sugar, garlic, broth, vinegar, and 2 tbsp butter. Pour around chicken.
  4. Transfer skillet to oven; bake 10–15 minutes (breasts to 165°F, thighs to 175°F).
  5. Spoon sauce over chicken; rest 5 minutes and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 35gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 520mgPotassium: 600mgSugar: 12gVitamin A: 700IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1.2mg

Notes

Crockpot: Add seasoned chicken and sauce to slow cooker. Cook LOW 4 hours or HIGH 2½ hours. Broil 2–3 minutes after to caramelize (optional).
Skillet-only: After searing, add sauce and simmer covered 8–10 minutes; uncover to reduce to glossy.
Sauce too thin? Simmer 1–2 minutes more. Too sweet? Add 1 tsp vinegar.

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