EASY 4-Ingredient Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken Recipe

Jul 19, 2021 | Food, Recipes

Are you ready for a dinner idea that's delicious enough for company but easy enough to make in about five minutes? This 4-ingredient garlic brown sugar chicken recipe is as good as it gets!

baked chicken with garlic and brown sugar, from Fun Cheap or Free

If you've been here for a while, then you know our dinnertime philosophy is to keep it simple! So, when we find a four-ingredient recipe that only requires about five minutes of prep? Well, we have to share it with Freebs Nation!

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This flavorful, juicy dish really couldn't be any easier, and we bet you already have all the ingredients you need! Pull that chicken out of the freezer, and let's get cooking! It's time to introduce you to your new favorite dinner recipe: garlic brown sugar chicken.



WHAT TO SERVE WITH GARLIC BROWN SUGAR CHICKEN

chicken with veggies and rice, from Fun Cheap or Free

This recipe is perfect for a dinner party because it's so dang easy and affordable! You can even prep it ahead of time in the morning, then warm it up before your guests arrive. But what should you serve with this yummy garlic brown sugar chicken? Here are a few easy ideas:

  • Dinner Rolls – Pull a pack out of the freezer, or wow your crowd with these delicious homemade dinner rolls, complete with honey butter!
  • Vegetable Medley – Use whatever you have! Steam, roast, or sautee those veggies. They'll give your plate a nice pop of color!
  • Corn on the Cob – Easy peasy!
  • Rice – You can serve your chicken on a bed of rice or with a scoop on the side. Spoon that sauce from your chicken over the rice. Mmmmm…YUM!
  • Scalloped Potatoes – These easy, breezy, cheesy potatoes are guaranteed to impress!
  • Fruit Salad – Okay, salad is a stretch, but there is fruit involved, so that's our story, and we're sticking to it! 😉 Seriously, though, this Cool Whip fruit salad from Shelf Cooking is one of our go-to side dishes for neighborhood parties.
  • Mixed Greens – When in doubt, go for a side salad! This strawberry spinach salad is so stinking good.

Want to make your dinner party a three-course affair? Start with this cranberry cream cheese dip and finish with one of these easy desserts (ask the kids to help)!


WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVERS

plate of chicken and veggies next to baking dish, from Fun Cheap or Free

If you've got leftovers, then lucky you! Here's what to do. You've got three options:

  • Refrigerate – Allow your chicken to cool just a bit, then place any leftovers in an airtight bag or container and store them in your refrigerator for up to four days. After four days, the USDA says to toss that chicken, so if you can't use it by then, be sure to freeze it. This brings us to our next point.
  • Freeze – If you want to freeze your chicken, you can! You can even double this batch and freeze a portion for later. Place your garlic brown sugar chicken in an airtight container with a lid, in a freezer bag, or a double-wrapped container covered in plastic wrap and foil. Use within three months. To defrost, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes or until it reaches an internal temp of 165°F.
  • Repurpose – Want to turn your leftovers into something totally new? Make teriyaki rice bowls, shred the chicken for savory quesadillas, serve your chicken over a bed of pasta, or include those leftovers in a breakfast omelet. You've got tons of options, so take a peek in the fridge and pantry and get creative!

All this talk about side dishes and leftovers probably has you pretty hungry by now, huh? Well, you're in luck! Without further ado, let's start cooking. It's recipe time, you guys!


HOW TO MAKE GARLIC BROWN SUGAR CHICKEN

Your kids will love the flavors in this dish, and you'll love how quick and easy it is to prepare! File this away as a new family favorite.

baked chicken with garlic and brown sugar, from Fun Cheap or Free

Easy Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

Make sure you save the liquid from this juicy chicken dish! Packed with flavor, it's a perfect gravy for rice, potatoes, or even veggies.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 cloves minced garlic (or 3T minced garlic from a jar)
  • 4 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Additional herbs and spices as desired (we added rosemary, herbs de provence, and a little thyme)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Spray a baking pan or cookie sheet with cooking spray.
  • In a small saute pan, saute garlic in oil on medium heat until tender.
  • Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar. Add additional herbs and spices as desired.
  • Season chicken with salt & pepper. Place chicken in pan and cover with garlic mixture. (Note: we poked the chicken a few times with a fork so the sauce would get down inside it.)
  • Bake uncovered for 15-30 minutes, depending on thickness, until juices run clear. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

The chicken breasts we used were HUGE. We cut them in 1/2 – 1/3 pieces, so they were more like large chunks. It ended up being the perfect portion size!
Keyword chicken, garlic brown sugar chicken

How dang delicious does that sound?! We can't wait for you to try this recipe!


What would you serve on the side with this garlic brown sugar chicken? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Easy chicken dinner on a plate, from Fun Cheap or Free

If you liked this post, we've got a whole website full of recipes we think you'll love! Have you checked out ShelfCooking.com yet? It is dedicated to helping you cook delicious, homemade, down-home-cooked meals for your family without spending hours in the kitchen! Basically every parent's dream, right? Join our Shelf Cooking Community today!


Looking for a few more easy recipes to try?

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

5 Comments

  1. Laura

    Jordan, I totally don’t think you give yourself enough credit – I KNOW you can throw some food together. 😉 So happy for you that you found another Mama to hang out with! Crazy that her kids are the exact order of yours – love it when that happens. So nice to have Mama’s to do life with when you’re in the midst of raising littles (we have 3 under age 6). Also, I may SUPER love your bachelorette videos with Bubba. I make my hubs watch it with me, too. XO

    Reply
    • FunCheapOrFree

      Laura you are the cutest!! 3 under 6? We are basically soul sisters 🙂 Thanks for the sweet comment!! XOXO

      Reply
    • FunCheapOrFree

      Awesome!! Thanks for the share, and congrats on the retirement!!! See some sites for me, will ya? 😉 XOXO

      Reply
  2. Taralyn

    Small world! Lindsey and I grew up in the same neighborhood. Love her family. Excited to check our her instagram and reconnect. Totally trying this recipe for dinner tonight, too. Thanks!

    Reply

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