Description
Succulent Baked Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Sweet and savory notes dance together, creating a mouthwatering dish you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Liquid and Sauce Components:
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a spacious baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Thoroughly pat the chicken breasts and thighs dry using paper towels, ensuring a clean surface for seasoning.
- Create a vibrant flavor mixture by whisking together minced garlic, brown sugar, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme in a medium-sized bowl until well combined.
- Drizzle chicken broth, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and melted butter into the seasoning mixture, stirring until the ingredients form a cohesive, glossy marinade.
- Generously coat each piece of chicken with the prepared marinade, ensuring every surface is evenly covered with the aromatic blend.
- Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer within the prepared baking dish, allowing space between each piece for even heat distribution.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and roast for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and develops a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5-7 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Serve the baked garlic brown sugar chicken hot, spooning any remaining pan drippings over the top for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- Adjust chicken thickness to ensure even cooking by gently pounding breasts to uniform thickness before marinating.
- Experiment with alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for different flavor profiles while maintaining similar caramelization.
- Transform this dish into a low-carb option by replacing brown sugar with a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit.
- Enhance protein absorption by marinating chicken for 2-4 hours in the refrigerator before baking, which intensifies flavor penetration and tenderness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg