Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs
Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs are oven-baked to golden perfection with a sweet and savory honey-garlic sauce. The result is tender, juicy chicken with crisp skin and a caramelized glaze that balances sweetness and savoriness perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven-Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or oregano)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt, pepper, and dried thyme.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken thighs skin-side down until golden brown and crispy, about 5–7 minutes. Flip and cook for 2–3 minutes on the other side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in brown sugar and honey, scraping up browned bits to form a sauce.
- Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top.
- Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving, drizzling with extra sauce.
Notes
- Bone-in chicken thighs provide richer flavor, while boneless cook faster.
- Substitute maple syrup for honey for a different sweetness.
- Add red pepper flakes for a sweet-heat variation.
- Can be made with chicken breasts, wings, or drumsticks with adjusted cook times.