Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
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This pan-seared garlic brown sugar chicken is our juicy go-to chicken breast recipe that’ll save your busy weeknights. Made with just 4 ingredients in 30 minutes, the whole family will be craving this sweet and savory chicken dinner!

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

This brown sugar garlic chicken is juicy, tender and goes with just about any side dish! Here’s why you will love it:

  • Quick: Dinner will be on the table in just 25 minutes!
  • Sweet and Savory: There’s a perfect balance of flavors between the garlic’s fragrance, brown sugar, and spicy black pepper.
  • Budget Friendly: You only need 4 simple ingredients and a little salt and pepper!
  • Perfect for Meal Prep: Cook the chicken in advance and reheat throughout the week for an extra easy lunch or dinner!
Ingredients arranged in bowls for garlic brown sugar chicken recipe, from top to bottom: salt, pepper, chicken breasts, butter, garlic and brown sugar.

What You’ll Need

Notice the pattern with the rule of 4’s! 4 main ingredients and you need 4 of each! Super easy to remember when you are at the grocery store or in a rush. Scroll down to the recipe card for exact amounts.

  • Chicken Breasts: I used boneless skinless chicken breasts, but this recipe will also work with boneless chicken thighs.
  • Butter: Unsalted is best. Reduce the salt in the rest of the recipe if you use salted butter.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic is a must in this recipe to get good flavor. Instead of mincing the garlic, try slicing it to get even more garlic flavor in each bite! You can use 1 teaspoon garlic powder in a pinch.
  • Brown Sugar: Use dark brown sugar for a richer flavor.
  • Salt and Pepper: Go for kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper. Black pepper is more important than it seems as balances the brown sugar.
Sliced garlic brown sugar chicken on a fork.

How to Make Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

Adding another 2 teaspoons of finely chopped garlic before covering the pan will increase the recipe’s garlicky punch for those of us who can never have enough garlic! Scroll to the recipe card at bottom of the post for full detailed instructions. 

  • Season: Add salt and pepper to the chicken on all sides. Set it aside.
  • Garlic: Melt the butter in a pan. Add the garlic and cook it until fragrant.
  • Chicken: Place the chicken in the pan and let it cook on both sides until no longer pink.
  • Sugar: Top chicken with brown sugar, cover the pan and cook until the sugar melts. Serve immediately!
Four juicy brown sugar chicken breasts on a serving platter topped with fresh herbs.

Chef’s Tips

A few tips to ensure your chicken turns out perfect:

  • Spicy: Sweet and spicy is an amazing combination! Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or chili oil to taste for some heat.
  • BBQ Sauce: Pour 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce over the chicken and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove it from the heat and enjoy.
  • Thermometer: Stick a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the brown sugar chicken breast. It should read an internal temperature of 165°F once done. This will ensure you do not over cook and dry out your chicken!
  • Add Herbs: Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of fresh or dried rosemary, thyme, or sage into the pan when you cook the garlic. Let it release its aroma and cook the chicken as usual for hints of herbiness.
  • Marinate: Mix 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic, and 1/4 cup honey mustard until well combined. Place the chicken inside a large plastic bag or bowl with the marinade. Shake well and refrigerate it overnight. The next day pour off the excess and prepare as usual, grill, or bake the chicken!
Sliced chicken over white rice with a side of steamed broccoli.

What Goes With Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken?

This juicy brown sugar chicken recipe is great with just about anything. I particularly love it with pasta, brown or white rice, or roasted vegetables. Here are a few suggestions:

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

Always let food cool completely before refrigerating or freezing to avoid spoilage.

  • Fridge: Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Freezer: Place the chicken in a freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual.
  • Reheat: Sprinkle chicken with 1 teaspoon water and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. You can also heat it in a covered skillet, with a little water, over medium heat for about 8 minutes. For large portions, place in a covered baking dish and bake in oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes.
Landscape photo of garlic brown sugar chicken.
5 from 3 votes
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Yield: 4 servings

Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

This juicy garlic brown sugar chicken recipe is an easy sweet and savory dinner perfect with just about any side you can think of!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts, about 1.5 pounds
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, sliced
  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar
  • salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breasts and set aside.
  • In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
  • Add chicken, cover pan, and cook for 12 minutes. Flip chicken breasts and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked throughly (once the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165°F on an instant read meat thermometer).
  • Sprinkle the tops of each chicken breast with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Cover pan with lid once more and let the brown sugar melt, about 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

Notes

Store: Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Place the chicken in a freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual.
Reheat: Sprinkle chicken with 1 teaspoon water and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. You can also heat it in a covered skillet, with a little water, over medium heat for about 8 minutes. For large portions, place in a covered baking dish and bake in oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes.
Spicy: Sweet and spicy is an amazing combination! Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or chili oil to taste for some heat.
BBQ Sauce: Pour 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce over the chicken and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove it from the heat and enjoy.
Add Herbs: Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of fresh or dried rosemary, thyme, or sage into the pan when you cook the garlic. Let it release its aroma and cook the chicken as usual for hints of herbiness.
Marinate: Mix 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic, and 1/4 cup honey mustard until well combined. Place the chicken inside a large plastic bag or bowl with the marinade. Shake well and refrigerate it overnight. The next day pour off the excess and prepare as usual, grill, or bake the chicken!

Nutrition

Serving: 1chicken breast, Calories: 344kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 36g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 139mg, Sodium: 291mg, Potassium: 661mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 401IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 27mg, Iron: 1mg

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Post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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Jessica
For the past 15 years, Jorge & Jessica have loved getting to share their families' favorite recipes with all of you. They live in Florida with their 3 kids.