Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully with this brown sugar garlic sauce. Increase the baking time to 25-28 minutes and check that they reach 165°F internal temperature. Thighs stay even more moist and tender.

Why is my sauce thin and not thick like a glaze?

The sauce is intentionally thin and meant for drizzling over rice or noodles rather than coating like thick BBQ sauce. If you prefer it thicker, simmer the pan sauce on the stovetop for 2-3 minutes after removing the chicken to reduce it slightly.

How do I prevent dry chicken?

Don't skip the meat thermometer and remove the chicken right at 165°F. Letting the brown sugar garlic chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking is crucial. Also, avoid using chicken breasts that are too thick. Pound them to even thickness if needed for consistent cooking.

Easy Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Recipe

Name: Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken: Sweet & Savory Weeknight Winner
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6-8 oz each); Olive oil for brushing chicken; Salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; ¼ cup brown sugar; 1 tablespoon water; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken: Sweet & Savory Weeknight Winner

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Juicy, flavorful chicken baked with a sweet garlic glaze that caramelizes in the oven. Ready in just 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Author: James Carter Jr
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6–8 oz each)
Olive oil for brushing chicken
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13-inch rimmed baking dish with non-stick spray. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels, brush both sides with olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, water, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until sugar dissolves and mixture is glossy.
Place chicken breasts in prepared baking dish in a single layer with space between pieces. Pour brown sugar garlic sauce evenly over the top, coating each piece.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part. If sauce darkens too quickly, loosely cover with foil for last few minutes.
Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle pan sauce over chicken before serving.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for perfect doneness without drying out.
Pat chicken completely dry before brushing with oil for better browning and caramelization.
Swap garlic powder with 2 cloves fresh minced garlic for stronger garlic flavor.
Sauce will be thin and is meant for drizzling over rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Line baking dish with foil for easy cleanup.
Pound chicken breasts to even thickness (about 1 inch) for consistent cooking.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
Calories: 285 kcal
Sugar: 13 g
Sodium: 520 mg
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/brown-sugar-garlic-chicken/