Introduction
This Easy Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Bake is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and comforting flavors. If you’re searching for a simple weeknight chicken recipe that requires almost no prep yet delivers juicy, caramelized results every time, this dish is for you. With just a handful of pantry ingredients, this baked chicken becomes tender, flavorful, and wonderfully saucy—perfect for pairing with rice, pasta, or vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Bake
- Quick and beginner-friendly—minimal prep, big flavor
- Sweet and savory glaze the whole family loves
- Budget-friendly ingredients already in the pantry
- Versatile—great with rice, pasta, or roasted veggies
- Oven-baked for hands-off cooking and easy cleanup
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to season
For the Brown Sugar Garlic Sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
How to Make Easy Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Bake (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. This simple layer of seasoning ensures every bite is flavorful.
Step 2: Mix the Brown Sugar Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, water, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir until a thick, glossy sauce forms. The brown sugar melts into the garlic and thyme to create a rich glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, keeping them spaced evenly.
Pour the brown sugar garlic sauce over the top, coating each piece well.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The sauce will bubble, darken slightly, and develop a sweet, savory caramel glaze.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Spoon the extra pan sauce over the top before serving—it’s delicious on rice, pasta, potatoes, or vegetables.
Tips & Variations
- Make it extra saucy: Double the sauce ingredients.
- Use chicken thighs: Boneless thighs stay incredibly juicy; cooking time may vary slightly.
- Add freshness: Garnish with chopped parsley or a squeeze of lemon.
- Lower sugar version: Swap half the brown sugar for coconut sugar.
- Add mild heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes blends well with the sweetness.
Easy Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Bake
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Easy Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Bake is a simple, sweet-and-savory oven-baked chicken dinner made with juicy chicken breasts and a rich brown sugar, garlic, and thyme glaze. It’s a quick, family-friendly recipe that tastes amazing over rice, pasta, or veggies.
Ingredients
3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper, to season both sides
For the brown sugar garlic sauce:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp water
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then arrange them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
3. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, water, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and ground black pepper, stirring until a smooth sauce forms.
4. Pour the brown sugar garlic sauce evenly over the chicken breasts, coating them well.
5. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
6. Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then transfer to serving plates and spoon the pan sauce over the top.
7. Serve the brown sugar garlic chicken with rice, pasta, potatoes, or your favorite vegetables, drizzling extra sauce over the sides if desired.
Notes
For extra sauce, double the brown sugar mixture so you have more to drizzle over rice or pasta.
You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for even juicier meat; adjust the bake time as needed until cooked through.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a hint of heat with the sweetness.
Garnish with fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness before serving.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 85
Serving Ideas & Storage
Serve this baked chicken with:
- Fluffy white rice or brown rice
- Buttered noodles or pasta
- Roasted vegetables
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Mashed potatoes
Storage:
- Refrigerate: Up to 3 days in an airtight container
- Freeze: Up to 2 months
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F or microwave gently
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~260 |
| Protein | 28g |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Fat | 6g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sodium | 420mg |
Final Thoughts
This Easy Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Bake transforms simple ingredients into a comforting, delicious dinner the whole family will love. With its caramelized glaze and tender oven-baked chicken, it’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again—especially on busy weeknights.