If you’re looking for something cheap, easy and delicious to make for dinner, look no further! This Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken uses ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and is sure to please even the pickiest eater!
Sweet and garlicky, this simple brown sugar garlic sauce is fantastic on chicken, but would also be great on pork. Just whisk a few pantry ingredients together over low heat, pour over chicken and bake! I came up with this easy meal when I wanted a cheaper alternative to honey garlic chicken.
If you use skin-on chicken I would probably sear it skin side down in a pot before turning it over and adding your sauce. At the end of the cooking time, broil briefly if skin isn’t submerged in sauce. YUM!
If you use thighs or legs they’ll stay super moist and you can spoon some of the sauce over rice, quinoa or potatoes. And then lick the extra off your plate 🙂
*** As one helpful follower pointed out, this would be gluten-free if you used gluten-free soy sauce!
Step-by-Step Instructions – Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
Ingredients for Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken.
(If you wish you can brown your chicken on both sides before this step and remove it to a plate.)
Over medium heat, sautée5 minced cloves of garlic in 2 tablespoons of olive oil for a few seconds.
Don’t overcook the garlic. Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1/2 cup of brown sugar. Whisk to combine.
Whisk in 1 cup of chicken broth (I recommend Better Than Bouillon, prepared according to package directions).
In a separate dish, whisk together 1 tablespoon or cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Slowly add to garlic chicken broth mixture in pot, whisking well to combine. Allow sauce to thicken for a few minutes.
Add chicken (pre-browned if you want, as described above) and turn to coat in the sauce.
Either cover with pot lid and cook over low heat until chicken is done, or cover and bake in 350 degree F oven until chicken is done. Cooking time will depend on thickness of chicken.
My chicken was boneless and I browned it first – It took less than ten minutes for it to be done.
An instant read thermometer inserted in the chicken should read 165 degrees F. If you’re using skin-on chicken you can broil it for a few seconds to crisp it up.
Garnish with green onions and enjoy! 🙂
Ingredients
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (if you're making this gluten free, make sure your soy sauce is gluten free too!)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 6 boneless chicken thighs may also use bone in thighs or legs, or chicken breasts (adjust cooking time accordingly)
- 1 cup chicken broth I recommend Better Than Bouillon
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water
- green onions chopped
Instructions
- (Optional) In a pot over medium heat, brown chicken on both sides in a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Remove it to a plate. This isn't necessary but can be tasty, especially if you have skin-on chicken.
- Over medium heat, sautee minced garlic in olive oil for a few seconds. Add soy sauce and brown sugar. Whisk to combine.
- Whisk in chicken broth (I recommend Better Than Bouillon, prepared according to package directions).
- In a separate dish, whisk together 1 tablespoon or cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Slowly add to garlic chicken broth mixture in pot, whisking well to combine. Allow sauce to thicken for a few minutes.
- Add chicken (pre-browned if desired, as described above) and turn to coat in the sauce.
- Either cover with pot lid and cook over low heat until chicken is done, or cover and bake in 350 degree F oven until chicken is done. Cooking time will depend on thickness of chicken. My chicken was boneless and I browned it first - It took less than ten minutes for it to be done. An instant read thermometer* inserted in the chicken should read 165 degrees F.
- If you are using skin-on chicken you can broil it for a few seconds to crisp it up.
- Garnish with green onions and enjoy!
Notes
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* An instant read thermometer is one of the most valuable tools in my kitchen. I highly recommend that you invest in one. This one is very reasonably priced and has great reviews.
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*** As one helpful follower pointed out, this would be gluten-free if you used gluten-free soy sauce!
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Sheryl says
We had this for supper a few nights ago. It was delicious!!! Thanks guys
Sheryl says
We are having this for supper. Smells delicious!!!
Myra says
Awesome! I hope you enjoyed it! 🙂
Myra says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Louise says
I made this last night and it was quick easy and delicious. I have saved the recipe to make again. Thanks
Louise
Myra says
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Helen Boudreau says
Absolutely delicious. It passed the husband test.
Myra says
I’m so happy to hear that you both enjoyed it! 🙂
Eliza says
This looks delicious and is also gluten free if you use Gf soya sauce! I love honey garlic chicken so I can’t wait to try this one!!! Xxx
Myra says
What a great point! I’m going to update it to say that! Thanks! 🙂