This brown sugar chicken recipe gets top marks for its crisp, golden skin and delicious garlicky-sweet sauce. Home cook Jason's mouthwatering dish uses pantry-friendly ingredients like dried herbs and honey to create a sumptuous chicken dinner that will please all palates. Try garlic brown sugar chicken thighs for a rich, hearty meal that couldn't be easier to make.
How to Make Brown Sugar Chicken
Ready for a bite that's tender, sweet, savory, and crunchy all at once? You'll find the full recipe below with step-by-step instructions, but here's what you can expect when you make this top-rated recipe;
Start by searing seasoned chicken thighs in an oven-proof skillet until the skin is brown. Set chicken aside before cooking minced garlic, brown sugar, honey, and herbs in the pan drippings. Return chicken thighs to the skillet and oven roast until crispy skin forms and juices run clear.
Boneless or Bone-In Thighs for Brown Sugar Chicken?
Both boneless and bone-in chicken thighs are affordable, delicious options for oven-baked recipes, but bone-in wins for best taste. The marrow in the bones spreads to the meat during cooking, creating an unforgettably rich flavor.
Boneless thighs are best for nights when time is of the essence — you'll still get the sweet, zesty flavor you want with a slightly shorter cook time.
What to Serve With Brown Sugar Chicken
This bold oven-roasted chicken recipe works with just about anything. Try pairing garlic brown sugar chicken with a roasted vegetable side dish or earthy risotto to cut through the sweetness. A garlicky toast or tangy potato salad would also complement this dish well.
How to Store Brown Sugar Chicken
Refrigerate leftover chicken in an airtight container to safely reheat and enjoy for up to four days.
Can I Freeze Brown Sugar Chicken?
Leftover garlic brown sugar chicken can be safely frozen for up to three months — simply allow the chicken to come to room temperature before sealing it in a plastic freezer bag and squeezing out any air. Reheat in the oven or on the stovetop for best results.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
"It's a great dinner party main course because it is seared and then finished in the oven, leaving time for preparing the sides and setting the table," shares home cook Suzy. "I used legs and wings as well."
"My entire family loved it, including my picky 5-year-old," says reviewer lovelylaurie330. "Thank you for this delicious new recipe for my household!"
"My kids and husband (who judge every meal harshly as if I'm a chef) fought over the last pieces and sauce!" raves Carrie. "I used skinless, boneless breasts because that's what I had defrosted. They loved it!"
Editorial contributions by Rai Mincey
Ingredients
-
8 (5 ounce) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
-
salt and ground black pepper to taste
-
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
-
4 cloves garlic, minced
-
¼ cup packed brown sugar
-
1 tablespoon honey
-
½ teaspoon dried oregano
-
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
-
¼ teaspoon dried basil
Directions
-
Gather all ingredients.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
-
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
-
Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
-
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, skin-side down, and sear until brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a plate.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
-
Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet, stirring to loosen any browned bits on the bottom. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in brown sugar, honey, oregano, thyme, and basil until well combined. Turn off the heat and return chicken to the skillet, skin-side down.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
-
Roast in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 25 to 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
-
Drizzle pan sauce over chicken thighs when serving.
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Recipe Tip
Bone-in chicken thighs take longer to cook than boneless. If you substitute boneless thighs, they will cook faster. Be sure to check with an instant-read thermometer to see when yours are done.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
264 | Calories |
16g | Fat |
10g | Carbs |
19g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings Per Recipe 8 | |
Calories 264 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Fat 16g | 21% |
Saturated Fat 6g | 30% |
Cholesterol 83mg | 28% |
Sodium 87mg | 4% |
Total Carbohydrate 10g | 3% |
Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
Total Sugars 9g | |
Protein 19g | 39% |
Vitamin C 1mg | 1% |
Calcium 22mg | 2% |
Iron 1mg | 7% |
Potassium 191mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.