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My Baked Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken came to life one evening when I had just a few ingredients in my pantry. Now it's become our favorite weeknight dinner! The way the brown sugar caramelizes with the garlic creates this incredible glaze that makes everyone think I spent hours in the kitchen when really it's so simple.
What Makes This Chicken Special
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. Just a few ingredients create something truly magical. The garlic gets all toasty and sweet while the brown sugar turns into this gorgeous glaze. I love how it pairs with absolutely anything from mashed potatoes to a simple salad.
What You'll Need
- Chicken Breasts: Four boneless skinless ones about the same size.
- Garlic: Four fresh cloves minced up.
- Brown Sugar: Four tablespoons use light or dark whatever you have.
- Olive Oil: Three teaspoons for cooking that garlic.
- Salt and Pepper: Just enough to taste.
- Extra Flavors: Sometimes I add smoked paprika or fresh herbs.
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Let's Get Cooking
- Get Started
- Heat your oven to 500°F and give your baking dish a quick oil spray.
- Cook Your Garlic
- Warm up that olive oil and cook your garlic until it smells amazing then mix in the brown sugar.
- Prep Your Chicken
- Put your chicken in the dish top with that gorgeous garlic mixture and season with salt and pepper.
- Into The Oven
- Bake it uncovered until it's done about 15-30 minutes depending on thickness.
- Almost Done
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving trust me it's worth the wait.
My Best Tips
Make sure your chicken pieces are about the same size so they cook evenly. Sometimes I add a splash of soy sauce or some lemon zest to the garlic mixture it's amazing. If you like things spicy a pinch of red pepper flakes works wonders.
Mix It Up
This recipe loves to be played with! Try adding fresh herbs or a bit of smoked paprika. My keto friends use sugar substitutes and it works great. Chicken thighs are delicious too just cook them a bit longer.
Quick Answers
Yes you can use bone-in chicken just give it more time in the oven. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for three days. You can absolutely freeze it for up to three months. We love it with mashed potatoes but rice or roasted veggies are great too.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why such a high oven temperature?
The high heat helps caramelize the brown sugar quickly while keeping the chicken juicy inside.
- → How do I know when the chicken is done?
Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Time varies based on thickness.
- → Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, but cooking time may need to be adjusted as thighs often take longer than breasts.
- → Why sauté the garlic first?
Sautéing mellows the garlic's sharp flavor and helps it blend better with the brown sugar.
- → Can I make this ahead?
Best served fresh, but leftovers keep well in airtight container for 3-4 days.