Description
This Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts baked to perfection with a luscious blend of garlic, brown sugar, and smoked paprika. The sweet and savory flavors caramelize beautifully in the oven, creating a delightful main course that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using, ensuring flavorful meat.
- Sauté garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned to release the garlic’s aroma.
- Mix brown sugar: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the brown sugar thoroughly to create a sweet garlic mixture.
- Prepare chicken for baking: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a baking dish, and evenly spread the garlic and brown sugar mixture over the top of each piece, coating them well.
- Bake the chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the top becomes golden and caramelized.
- Serve: Spoon some of the pan sauce over the chicken breasts for extra flavor and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken in the garlic-brown sugar mixture for 30 minutes prior to baking.
- This recipe can be adapted using chicken thighs; adjust baking time accordingly for best results.
