Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
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If you have been a long-time follower of my blog, you are probably aware of my love for the combination of sweet and spicy flavors in my recipes. Today, I am excited to share a delicious marinade with that very combination, featuring a brown sugar mixture that will surely become a new favorite in your household, especially when cooked on the grill.
The marinade includes a blend of brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes for a hint of heat. When the chicken is grilled to perfection, the sugars caramelize, creating a delicious flavor that will have your taste buds dancing with delight.
Serve this flavorful chicken with your favorite sides for a meal that will impress your family and friends. Enjoy the sweet and spicy goodness of this brown sugar chicken recipe at your next barbecue or weeknight dinner.
Or, if the weather isn’t cooperating for grilling, you can always cook this chicken in the oven. While I love the flavor grilling adds, baking is a great alternative, especially as the weather changes in the fall.
This chicken is delicious, with its juicy and flavorful meat. However, one of my favorite ways to enjoy it is in salads. The tender chicken pairs perfectly with crisp greens, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing. It adds a protein-packed punch to any salad and makes for a satisfying and delicious meal. So whether you’re grilling in the summer or baking in the fall, this versatile chicken dish will definitely be a hit.
Ingredients to make Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken
BROWN SUGAR
HONEY DIJON MUSTARD
FRESH GARLIC, FINELY MINCED
SALT
PAPRIKA
BLACK PEPPER
CRUSHED RED PEPPER FLAKES
LEMON-LIME SODA LIKE SPRITE, 7UP, ETC.
BONELESS, SKINLESS CHICKEN BREASTS OR TENDERS
How to Make Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
Start by creating a marinade in a gallon-sized zip-lock bag. Add the brown sugar, mustard, seasonings, and lemon-lime soda and carefully whisk in the bag. Stir the ingredients well, ensuring the sugar dissolves fully.
This marinade works wonderfully with brown sugar chicken thighs, providing a rich and flavorful dish.
The soda’s acidity helps tenderize the meat. Additionally, the sugar content helps create a caramelized flavor when the meat is cooked. It also adds a subtle hint of citrus sweetness that can complement the savory flavors of the marinade ingredients.
Add the chicken pieces to the bag, ensuring they are well coated with the marinade. Seal the bag and place it in the refrigerator, allowing the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes—though longer marination time, like four hours, is recommended for deeper flavor. Remember to turn the bag halfway through to marinate the chicken evenly.
When you’re ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade. You can either bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes, cook it in a baking dish until fully cooked, or grill it over medium heat until thoroughly cooked. This method infuses the chicken with a sweet and tangy flavor, perfect for a family dinner or a summer barbecue. Serve the chicken with a side dish that can soak up the delicious garlic brown sugar sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe with other cuts of chicken?
Absolutely. This recipe works well with any cut, such as bone-in chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken thighs, or drumsticks. Adjust cooking times accordingly, especially if using bone-in pieces. For chicken breasts, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), and note that they may cook faster than thighs.
Can I use brown sugar chicken in other dishes?
Yes, the grilled or baked chicken can be sliced and added to salads, wraps, or sandwiches for added flavor.
Can this recipe be made less sweet?
If you prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar or add a bit more mustard and seasonings to balance the flavors.
What’s the best way to ensure the chicken is cooked properly?
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) to ensure it is safely cooked.
How should I store leftover chicken?
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a few days or frozen for longer storage. This makes it a convenient option for meal prep and future meals.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp honey dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup lemon-lime soda like Sprite 7Up, etc.
- 1 ½ boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders
Instructions
- In a gallon sized zip lock bag, combine the brown sugar, mustard, seasonings and soda in a bowl and mix well. Carefully whisk to dissolve the sugar.
- Add the chicken to the bag and seal. Place in the fridge and marinade at least 30 minutes, but the longer the better. I did it for 4 hours. I also rotate the bag halfway through the marinating process.
- Remove chicken from marinade and bake or grill. To bake: cook at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until fully cooked. To grill, grill over medium until fully cooked.
Nutrition
Adapted from Cooking During Stolen Moments.
I just made this and it was amazing! I added 2 TBSP of soy sauce to the marinade and had it marinating for about 36 hours! I made rice to go with it and boiled that in half water and half chicken broth, grilled my chicken on my George Foreman grill and boiled the leftover marinade and made a gravy out of it for over the chicken and rice! It was PERFECT and DELICIOUS!! I didn’t have any fresh veggies, but some stir fried veggies mixed in there would have been perfect, thank you!!
Oh my gosh, I loved this recipe. It was so amazing. I am so glad i found this site and found this recipe. My family loved it. Thank you.
This looks great, and easy! Can I use diet sprite?
Yep. All over this one.