Garlic-Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs
Brown sugar chicken baked in a sweet honey-garlic sauce develops a deliciously browned and crispy skin as it cooks in the oven. I love the crunchy chicken skin and brown sugar pan sauce that comes out of this.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 chicken thighs
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.
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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.
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.
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
Step One:
Gather all ingredients.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Step 3
Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
Step 4
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.
Step 5
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.
Step 6
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).
Step 7
Drizzle pan sauce over chicken thighs when serving.
Recipe Tips:
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
Show Full Nutrition Label
Courtesy: Jason , Photoby: Dotdash Meredith