Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken Recipe
Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken is a deliciously savory and sweet skillet-cooked dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts glazed in a rich brown sugar and soy sauce mixture with a hint of garlic and smoked paprika. This recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors with a glossy finish of butter, making it a simple yet impressive meal for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Sauce and Cooking
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for finishing)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish – optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
- Sauté the Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30–45 seconds, just until fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown or burn.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in the brown sugar, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar into the skillet. Allow the mixture to gently bubble and dissolve into a smooth, rich sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken into the skillet. Cook for 5–6 minutes per side, spooning the sauce over the chicken as it cooks. Continue until the chicken is fully cooked through and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
- Finish the Glaze: Add the butter to the pan and spoon the thickened, glossy sauce over the chicken for 1–2 minutes to enrich the flavor and impart a beautiful shine.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish the chicken with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over the top for maximum flavor.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
- Ensure not to burn the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Serve with steamed rice or vegetables to complement the sweet-savory glaze.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Skillet Chicken Recipe, Easy Chicken Dinner, Garlic Chicken, Brown Sugar Glaze
Find it online: https://lieblingsmahlzeit.com/garlic-brown-sugar-chicken-recipe/
