Sweet Garlic Chicken

Featured in Chicken & Turkey Done Right.

After a long day, I saw some chicken breasts and thought of the brown sugar lying around. Threw in some garlic and, in only half an hour, had a dinner packed with rich flavor that tasted slow-cooked.

Emily Watson
Updated on Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:36:48 GMT
A pair of glazed, garlic-topped chicken breasts sit on a dark plate with fresh herbs. Pin it
A pair of glazed, garlic-topped chicken breasts sit on a dark plate with fresh herbs. | thefamilycooks.com

Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken delivers a simple yet delicious meal. Just four basic ingredients transform into something wonderfully aromatic and tasty. Ready in only 30 minutes - great for hectic evenings or when guests drop by.

Benefits of This Tasty Chicken

Just four ingredients create something truly memorable. The brown sugar brings sweetness, while garlic adds depth. Your chicken stays tender, won't break the bank, and fits any weeknight menu. Cook more for tomorrow's meal. Simple enough for family dinner, impressive enough for visitors.

Ingredients List

  • Chicken: Boneless, skinless breasts are ideal
  • Garlic: Freshly minced - though dried works in a pinch
  • Brown Sugar: Creates the caramelized coating
  • Oil: To prevent sticking
  • Salt: Just enough
  • Pepper: According to preference

Cooking Instructions

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° 2. Grab a suitable baking dish 3. Find a small saucepan for the garlic mixture
Garlic Mixture:
1. Mince 6 cloves of garlic finely 2. Add 2 tablespoons oil to saucepan 3. Set burner to medium 4. Sauté garlic until translucent, about 2-3 minutes 5. Remove from heat 6. Mix in 1/2 cup brown sugar 7. Keep stirring until sugar begins to dissolve 8. Season with a bit of salt and pepper
Dish Setup:
1. Grab your baking dish 2. Coat the bottom with oil 3. Don't forget the sides too 4. Ensure even coverage throughout
Chicken Prep:
1. Blot 4 chicken breasts dry with paper towels 2. Arrange in prepared dish 3. Don't overcrowd the pan 4. Pour garlic-sugar mixture over each piece 5. Make sure to coat completely 6. Don't miss the edges
Baking:
1. Position dish in oven center 2. Cook for 30 minutes total 3. Leave dish uncovered 4. Start checking at 25-minute mark 5. Slice into thickest part to check doneness 6. Look for white, not pink meat 7. Give it 5 extra minutes if needed
Serving:
1. Remove carefully from oven 2. Rest for 5 minutes before serving 3. Drizzle pan drippings over chicken 4. Transfer remaining sauce to serving dish 5. Enjoy while warm
Two glazed chicken breasts topped with minced garlic and pepper sit in a dark dish with a savory sauce. Pin it
Two glazed chicken breasts topped with minced garlic and pepper sit in a dark dish with a savory sauce. | thefamilycooks.com

Wonderful Kitchen Aroma

As this dish bakes, your home fills with sweet and garlicky scents. The sugar caramelizes, the garlic softens, and family members will wander in asking about dinner. It creates that comfortable, homey atmosphere everyone loves.

Speedy Mealtime Solution

Want dinner in a hurry? This chicken's the answer. Four basic ingredients, half an hour, and you're done. Nothing complicated, no fuss. Just tasty food that leaves your evening free.

Perfect Flavor Balance

This chicken stands out because of how brown sugar and garlic complement each other. The sugar melts into a glaze while garlic brings bold flavor. The chicken absorbs everything and stays moist. Sometimes the most basic combinations create the tastiest meals.

Versatile Side Pairings

Enjoy this chicken with whatever sides you prefer. Serve over rice to catch all the sauce. Throw in some vegetables for balance. Keep leftovers for tomorrow - they reheat beautifully. Toss with pasta or stuff in a sandwich. It works perfectly however you choose to serve it.

Pro Cooking Tips

Try to use freshly minced garlic - it tastes way better than pre-packaged. Grease your baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking. Don't waste the pan drippings - they're the most flavorful part. Spoon them over your chicken just before serving. These small touches really make the dish shine.

A close-up view of three chicken breasts covered in a savory sauce with chopped onions and herbs in a white serving dish. Pin it
A close-up view of three chicken breasts covered in a savory sauce with chopped onions and herbs in a white serving dish. | thefamilycooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use different chicken parts?

Thighs are a great option—they're juicy and might even taste better! Add 10 extra minutes for drumsticks. Bone-in pieces? Totally fine but cook longer. Tenders cook fastest. Whatever you use, aim for 165° inside before serving.

→ How do I save leftovers?

Cool the chicken before storing it in a tight container. Keeps fresh up to 3 days in the fridge, and the sticky sauce stays tasty! Heat it in the microwave gently or in the oven with a bit of water if needed. It’s awesome sliced cold on salad too.

→ No olive oil - what else works?

Honestly, any oil does the trick! Avocado oil’s amazing for high heat. Regular veg oil? Perfectly fine. Coconut oil also adds flavor. Just skip butter—it burns easily. Whatever you have that handles oven heat will do!

→ What goes good with it?

Rice is amazing—it soaks up the flavorful sauce! For sides, go with steamed veggies like broccoli or beans, or toss up a quick salad. Want to switch it up? Serve over noodles. Feeling fancy? Roasted sweet potatoes match the chicken’s sweet notes perfectly.

→ Can I make it spicy?

Spice it up by adding red pepper flakes while cooking the garlic. Cayenne pepper works, too. Or mix sriracha into the sauce for an Asian-inspired kick. Black pepper or hot sauce also go well, and you can adjust based on your heat preference. Start small—it’s easier to add more than take away.

Conclusion

Fan of simple dinners? Next time, give honey garlic chicken a shot or pair garlic butter chicken with a zesty lemon twist. Even balsamic chicken with brown sugar uses similar pantry staples!

Sugar Garlic Chicken

Busy? This chicken’s your answer in 30 minutes flat!

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes

Category: Poultry

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 4 slices of chicken breast.
02 4 garlic cloves, chopped up small.
03 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
04 4 tablespoons of brown sugar.
05 Pepper, if you feel like it.
06 Pinch of salt, if you'd like.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°. Grease your baking dish lightly.

Step 02

Sauté chopped garlic in olive oil until soft. Take it off the heat and stir in the sugar.

Step 03

Lay the chicken pieces in your dish, then spread the garlicky mixture on top.

Step 04

Leave the chicken in the oven for around 30 minutes, or till it gets to 165° inside.

Step 05

Spoon the sauce from the dish over the chicken and enjoy it warm.

Notes

  1. The sauce is just the juices from the pan.
  2. Swap chicken breasts with drumsticks if you prefer.
  3. Tasty with some steamed rice and veggies.
  4. The oil makes cleaning up so much easier.
  5. Freeze chicken and sauce together for another day.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven.
  • Greased baking dish.
  • Frying pan.
  • Mixing spoon.
  • Measuring tools.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Garlic.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 210
  • Total Fat: 6 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 13 g
  • Protein: 24 g