Description
Garlic brown sugar chicken turns simple pantry ingredients into a tender dinner with a glaze that is sweet, savory, and full of flavor. It comes together in about 30 minutes and fits perfectly into a busy weeknight.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 chicken breasts or thighs
Seasonings and aromatics:
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Sweet and cooking base:
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
- Combine 3 teaspoons of olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 4 tablespoons of brown sugar in a bowl, stirring until everything blends together smoothly.
- Pat your chicken dry and sprinkle salt and pepper across both sides to taste.
- Transfer your seasoned chicken into the bowl with the garlic mixture, turning each piece to coat completely, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors penetrate the meat.
- Place a skillet on medium heat and let it warm for about 2 minutes until a drop of water sizzles on contact.
- Lay your marinated chicken into the hot skillet at 350 degrees fahrenheit and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until the exterior turns golden brown and your meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees fahrenheit.
- Transfer your finished chicken to a serving plate and top with chopped green onions if that garnish appeals to you.
Notes
- Brown sugar caramelizes best when your skillet is properly heated, so give it a minute or two to reach medium heat before adding the chicken, which helps create that golden crust.
- If time is tight, marinate the chicken for just 15 minutes instead of 30, though letting it sit longer deepens the garlic and brown sugar flavors throughout the meat.
- For a gluten-free or paleo version, this recipe works perfectly as written since the marinade contains no grains or restricted ingredients.
- Watch the edges of your chicken as it cooks since the brown sugar can burn if the heat runs too high, so medium heat gives better control and more even browning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Sautéed Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 291 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg