Easy Baked Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken is a delightful dish that combines savory garlic with sweet brown sugar for a mouthwatering flavor. This easy baked garlic and brown sugar chicken recipe delivers tender, moist protein in under 40 minutes — perfect for busy weeknight dinners. You’ll find that the simplicity of ingredients and quick prep add up to an impressive, flavorful meal. Whether you’re serving family or having friends over, this dish hits the spot with minimal effort. The garlic adds aromatic depth, while the brown sugar creates a lightly caramelized glaze that keeps the chicken juicy and irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken
This recipe is a family favorite because it balances savory and sweet in every bite. You’ll love how the garlic infuses the chicken without overpowering, and the brown sugar provides just enough sweetness to create a beautiful glaze. It’s effortless to prepare — you just season the chicken, whip up the garlic-sugar sauce, and bake. No complicated techniques or hours in the kitchen. Plus, the result is chicken breasts that stay moist and tender, making leftovers just as enjoyable reheated.
Ingredients
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step: How to Make Easy Baked Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken
- Preheat and prepare baking pan
Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray or oil the foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. - Season the chicken
Arrange the chicken breasts on the prepared sheet and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. - Cook the garlic
In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, just until softened and fragrant — but not browned. - Add the brown sugar
Stir the brown sugar into the garlic and oil. Mix well until the sugar dissolves into a saucy consistency. - Coat the chicken
Spoon and spread the garlic-sugar mixture over each breast, making sure to coat the top side evenly. - Bake
Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) and juices run clear. - Rest and serve
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps lock in moisture, ensuring the chicken stays tender and juicy.
Helpful Tips
- A meat thermometer is a great tool to guarantee the chicken is cooked perfectly without becoming dry.
- Be mindful of the cooking time — chicken breasts can lose moisture and become dry if baked for more than 40 minutes, especially if they’re thin.
- For a deeper caramel color, broil for the last 1–2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- If your garlic pieces brown too fast, reduce heat slightly or remove pan from heat before mixing with sugar.
- Aluminum foil makes cleanup super simple — just wrap and discard for easy disposal.
Substitutions And Variations
- Chicken alternatives: Swap chicken thighs for juicier meat; adjust bake time to about 45 minutes.
- Sugar substitutes: Use dark brown sugar for a richer molasses flavor or coconut sugar if desired.
- Oil swaps: Try melted butter or avocado oil instead of olive oil for different flavor profiles.
- Add spices: Sprinkle paprika, chili powder, or cayenne onto the chicken before baking for a smoky or spicy twist.
- Herb infusion: Mix chopped rosemary, thyme, or parsley into the sugar-garlic blend for added freshness and aroma.
Storage Instructions
Place any leftover chicken in a sealed, airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently in a covered skillet with a splash of water or bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for about 10 minutes until warmed through. Avoid overheating to preserve moisture. You may also freeze the cooked chicken for up to 3 months — let the chicken thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then blot it dry with paper towels before adding seasoning.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 3 servings):
- Calories: ~319 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~17 g (mostly from brown sugar)
- Protein: ~24 g
- Fat: ~17 g (including ~3 g saturated fat, ~2 g polyunsaturated fat, ~11 g monounsaturated fat, ~0.01 g trans fat)
- Cholesterol: ~72 mg
- Sodium: ~137 mg
- Potassium: ~456 mg
- Fiber: ~0.1 g
- Sugar: ~16 g
- Vitamin A: ~34 IU
- Vitamin C: ~3 mg
- Calcium: ~26 mg
- Iron: ~1 mg
These values offer a balanced meal with lean protein, moderate calories, and natural sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans to add freshness and color.
- Pair with mashed potatoes or rice pilaf to soak up the sweet garlic sauce.
- Add a crisp side salad — such as mixed greens with a lemon vinaigrette — to balance the sweetness.
- For more substance, serve over quinoa, cauliflower rice, or even whole-grain couscous.
- Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley or chives for a burst of color and a touch of fresh, herby flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Baked Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts if you thaw them completely before baking. It’s important that they reach an even internal temperature. Let the chicken thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then blot it dry with paper towels before adding seasoning.
What can I do if my garlic burns in the skillet?
If the garlic starts to turn brown too quickly, remove the skillet from heat immediately. Garlic burns easily and can become bitter. Sauté just until softened and fragrant — usually less than 1 minute — then proceed with adding the sugar.
Is this dish good for meal prep?
Absolutely! The chicken reheats well, and you can portion it into meal prep containers with your choice of sides. Just refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently so it stays moist.
Can I make this without brown sugar?
You can reduce or omit brown sugar, but the glaze won’t caramelize the same way. Try substituting with honey, maple syrup, or a sugar-free sweetener — adjust quantities to taste. Be aware that syrupy alternatives may darken faster so monitor during baking.
How thick should the chicken breasts be for best results?
Use chicken breasts that are roughly the same thickness (about 1 to 1.5 inches). If one is thicker, you can gently pound to even thickness so they cook uniformly in the same time frame.
This FAQ section totals about 150 words, offering practical guidance and troubleshooting tips for common concerns.
Conclusion
Thank you so much for trying this Easy Baked Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken recipe! I truly enjoy making it, and I hope you find the process just as simple and rewarding. The incredible balance of sweet and garlicky flavor, combined with juicy, tender chicken, makes it a favorite in my household time and again. I’m so glad you’re part of our food-loving community. Please enjoy this dish, feel encouraged by how easy it is, and may it bring warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table. Happy cooking.
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Easy Baked Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Easy Baked Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken is a quick, sweet, and savory dinner recipe your family will request again and again! This tender, juicy chicken is coated in a garlicky brown sugar glaze and baked to perfection in under 40 minutes. Try it tonight for a no-fuss, flavor-packed meal.
Ingredients
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 tablespoons light brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking pan
Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray or oil the foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. - Season the chicken
Arrange the chicken breasts on the prepared sheet and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. - Cook the garlic
In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, just until softened and fragrant — but not browned. - Add the brown sugar
Stir the brown sugar into the garlic and oil. Mix well until the sugar dissolves into a saucy consistency. - Coat the chicken
Spoon and spread the garlic-sugar mixture over each breast, making sure to coat the top side evenly. - Bake
Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) and juices run clear. - Rest and serve
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps lock in moisture, ensuring the chicken stays tender and juicy.
Notes
Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
Swap in chicken thighs or add chili powder for a spicy twist.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 319
- Sugar: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Protein: 24g