🍗 Brown Sugar Glazed Chicken
Sweet, savory, sticky, and beautifully caramelized, this chicken is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but flavorful enough for guests. This recipe makes 4 servings.
Ingredients
For the chicken
700 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the brown sugar glaze
½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon chili flakes — optional
1 tablespoon butter
Method
1. Prepare the chicken
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Place it in a bowl and add the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
For the best flavor, let it rest for 15–30 minutes.
2. Make the glaze
Add the brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, paprika, black pepper, and chili flakes to a small saucepan.
Place over medium-low heat.
Stir until the brown sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to gently bubble, about 2–3 minutes.
Add the butter and stir until melted.
Don’t boil the glaze aggressively—the high sugar content can burn easily.
Remove from the heat.
3. Cook the chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a little oil.
Place the chicken in the pan without overcrowding it.
Cook for approximately:
Chicken thighs: 5–7 minutes per side
Chicken breast: 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness
The chicken should be nicely browned.
4. Add the glaze
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Pour about half of the glaze over the chicken and turn the pieces several times so they become coated.
Cook for another 2–4 minutes, turning frequently, until the glaze becomes thick, glossy, and caramelized.
Add the remaining glaze during the final minute if desired.
The chicken is safely cooked when the thickest part reaches 74°C / 165°F.
5. Rest and serve
Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes.
Spoon some of the sticky glaze from the pan over the chicken before serving.
🍚 Serving ideas
This chicken pairs particularly well with:
Steamed jasmine or basmati rice
Roasted potatoes
Stir-fried vegetables
Broccoli
Green beans
Coleslaw
Fresh cucumber salad
For a nice finishing touch, sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
⭐ For an extra-sticky glaze
If you want a restaurant-style glossy coating, simmer the remaining glaze separately for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened, then brush it over the cooked chicken just before serving. This gives you that beautiful brown-sugar caramelized finish without burning the sugar in the pan.
