Juicy oven baked chicken breasts full of flavor and made with just a handful of ingredients. An easy chicken dinner idea that’s on the table in 30 minutes!
Quick and Easy Baked Chicken
Quick and easy baked chicken breasts recipe made with a bit of butter, some brown sugar, and garlic. This Baked Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken is a super simple dish you can prepare in very little time, perfect for a fast and delicious weeknight meal. It’s also freezer friendly and requires minimal prep.
I have forever and always been a big lover of baked chicken breasts dinners. Thus, I spend a lot of my cooking time focused on creating tender and juicy chicken recipes; HELLO Easy Baked Chicken Breasts – the BEST easy-chicken-recipe of all the times!
I know it’s not rocket science, but as simple as it sounds, baked chicken breasts can turn out dry as can be if you don’t give them some prep love.
Therefore, ENTER Garlic Brown Sugar Baked Chicken! It is a terrific chicken recipe, one you’ll go back to again and again. It’s slightly sweet with just a bit of spice, and the flavors are SO perfectly perfect together.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: pounded to an even thickness, about 1 inch thick.
- butter
- light brown sugar: you can also use dark brown sugar for deeper flavor
- garlic and seasonings
How To Make Garlic Brown Sugar Baked Chicken Breasts
- First, you’ll want to line a baking dish with parchment paper; then, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and arrange them on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add butter and garlic to a skillet; stir in the brown sugar plus seasonings, and cook for a minute.
- Remove from heat and rub the brown sugar mixture into the chicken breasts.
- Pop it in the oven and cook for about 20 minutes at 450F, or until chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
Serve over creamed spinach, or with roasted vegetables, and/or rice.
How To Make Ahead of Time
- You can prep this ahead of time by preparing it up to the point before baking it. Just let the brown sugar mixture cool down completely; then rub it all over the chicken breasts, cover the dish tightly, and pop it in the freezer.
- You can also freeze it in a gallon ziploc bag, then thaw it in the fridge over night. When it’s time to cook, arrange the chicken breasts in a parchment-lined baking dish and cook.
- You can also prep it the night before, cover it tightly, and set it in the fridge until ready to cook the next day.
More Chicken Recipes
- Garlic Sauce Chicken Thighs
- Baked Garlic Butter Chicken
- Garlic Yogurt Baked Chicken
- Pineapple Barbecue Chicken
- Spicy Sweet and Sticky Chicken Thighs
ENJOY!
Garlic Brown Sugar Baked Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness (about 1-inch thick)
- salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano, or any other dried herb of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper; transfer to prepared baking dish and set aside.
- Add butter and garlic to a skillet set over medium-high heat; cook and stir until butter is melted and garlic is fragrant.
- Stir in brown sugar, paprika, and seasonings; continue to cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat and let stand 1 minute, or until cool enough to handle.
- Rub the brown sugar and garlic mixture all around the chicken breasts.
- Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until browned on top and chicken's internal temperature reaches 165F. Remove from oven and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can prep this ahead of time by preparing it up to the point before baking it. Just let the brown sugar mixture cool down completely; then rub it all over the chicken breasts, cover the dish tightly, and pop it in the freezer.
- You can also freeze it in a gallon ziplock bag, then thaw it in the fridge overnight. When it’s time to cook, arrange the chicken breasts in a parchment-lined baking dish and cook.
- You can also prep it the night before, cover it tightly, and set it in the fridge until ready to cook the next day.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Pretty yummy, I added Red chili flakes before putting in the oven and it was perfect amount of spice! I can’t believe how juicy it was as well
I made this because the ingredients intrigued me and I have to say it flew above my expectations!! I have to say, I’m no pro so I butchered the mixture the first time around lol. It turned solid like candy. But I decided to give it one more try and I was in love with the result.
That’s great to hear! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I’m an amateur cook, so I didn’t know that my brown sugar had to have moisture until I already put the glaze on (it was more burnt+chunky and buttery/oily than like a glaze, like in the pictures. I feel like it would be helpful to describe it as a glaze, personally.) I think I had barely enough of the buttery stuff to put it on my chicken.. I’m strongly hoping it comes out well.
We have a family bbq coming up so I’m curious if you have any suggestions/tips for making this and traveling with it (30 min).
Thanks!
Hi!
If it’s only a 30 minute drive, you should just keep it in an insulated container so it stays warm.
Made this last night. Super easy and delicious! The sauce is soooo good! Took only 10 minutes to prepare everything for baking and mine cooked through in 20 mins. I did let the chicken rest for another 5 mins after coming out of the oven! Served with a big green salad on the side…..to make up for the butter and sugar! 😉😉 Ha ha ha Awesome chicken dish to make in a hurry! Thanks for your inspiration!
That’s awesome! I am very happy you loved it! Thank you for chiming in! 🙂
I am wondering if anyone has tried this using the Truvia brown sugar. I do keto diet and everything about this recipe would work great for me except the regular brown sugar. Has anyone here tried to substitute the sugar?
Yes, I have, and it works. 🙂 I hope you’ll like it, too.
Made this last night and my pickiest daughter said that this is her favourite Chicken dinner! <3 Thank you!
That’s great to hear! I’m very glad everyone enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Question for Katerina Petrovska (thank you by the way for sharing this recipe!) or anyone who has tried the recipe:
I’m fixing this instead of turkey for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow and am just wondering if anyone has covered the chicken all or part of the time. Would that make it more moist?
Appreciate your input!
Whoa! This was so good! Yes, the brown sugar mixture basically hardened like candy immediately after cooking, but I placed it on top of the chicken anyway. Melted perfectly, and was able to spoon the mixture over the chicken while baking. I had it with roasted sweet potato and broccoli sautéed with butter & garlic. Yum! That’s what I had on hand, but next time I’m pairing it with salad.
That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Sounds tasty! What sides do you like to serve with this? Thanks!
Salad! For balance 😁 I also like to serve it up with roasted asparagus, or these roasted vegetables with parmesan cheese: https://diethood.com/garlic-parmesan-roasted-vegetables/
If you need some ideas for side dishes, you can browse here 👉 https://diethood.com/recipes/side-dishes/
So simple and so delicious. I made extra sauce to drench the chicken in, and me and my boyfriend could not stop eating it!! And it’s so EASY!!
I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Making this tonight for the 2nd time – even my picky kids like it! I’m all for simple & fast, bonus points if it’s delicious – this hits all 3! 😊
I’m going to make it this week for my grandkids and myself thank you
I hope everyone enjoys it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Love this recipe!
I think what people are doing to make it dry is that they’re not putting in enough butter. When I read the recipe the first time I noticed it was calling for 1lb of chicken. My chicken was larger so I x2.5 with the ingredients. Came out perfect.
I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
We loved this chicken! It was super simple. The chicken was moist and delicious!
I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Any tips on not having the rub hardened before applying to Chicken?
Hi!
You can add a little more butter or mix in olive oil before applying it to the chicken.
The brown sugar hardened as soon as it hit the chicken – followed the recipe but it was a no go. The photo looks so tasty,
Same!!
I was wondering if maybe running the Breasts under warm water to bring them closer to room temperature would help and definitely not letting the sugar cook too long… In the oven now, but will not look at all like the picture…
That will melt during the cooking process and leave a delicious baste to coat the chicken in. Looks just like the pics!!!!
I forgot to take a picture because my little boys were hungry, but this was a hit! When the 4 year old is gobbling it down and asking for more before you can sit down with your plate, then you know it’s good. Also, husband approved so win win 🙂
That is wonderful! I am SO happy that you and your family enjoyed this recipe!! THANK YOU! 🙂
We must’ve done something wrong. Followed the recipe exactly … but so dry. Did anyone else ADD chicken broth or any liquid? This was awful and dry as the desert.
Made this tonight and everyone loved it! So simple and had all the ingredients on hand. Thanks for a great recipe!
This looks amazingly delicious! Would love to give it a try!
Followed the recipe and was kind of scared that the brown sugar rub would burn while in the oven at 450° for 20 minutes. But it came out perfectly, nice crisp edges, and the chicken was both sweet and savory.
Have used this many times! Absolutely love it, my kids do too! Thank you for sharing!
I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
My family loved it!!It was so delicious
This recipe sounds delicious! I have a recipe similar to this one that I use a lot! This is a Weight Watcher’s recipe, but that’s okay. It is delicious! Let me know if you would like me to send you the recipe.
Thanks!
Janice
Hi!!
That is SO kind of you – thank you! I would love to have it! If you have a minute, please send it to me at katerina@diethood.com
XOXO
Please send me your weights watchers similar recipe.
I would love to have the weight watchers recipe. My email is loricossey1962@yahoo.com
This chicken is out of this world delicious – another awesome recipe I am so excited to make again and again from your site!
You had me at garlic and brown sugar! Making this!!
This chicken is so good in so many recipes that require pre cooked chicken. Extra flavor for the win!
Simple and delicious! Looks like the perfect week night meal to me!
What a heavenly recipe. I’m always looking for different ways to cook chicken and this is my new favorite!
xo Michael
My husband loves the garlic and brown sugar flavors!
I can’t believe how easy this flavorful chicken is to make. LOVE!
Whoa, this is a must make meal! This looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
This chicken looks amazing!
This chicken looks incredible! Must make soon!
Sweet garlic chicken is one of our favorites! Love how easy this is!
I never would have thought of adding brown sugar to chicken!
I need to add this to our dinner menu!!