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Close-up of cooked chicken drumsticks in a rich brown sugar glaze with visible bits of garlic and onion in a cast iron skillet.

Brown Sugar Chicken Recipe

Brown sugar chicken is a sweet and savory skillet dinner made with juicy thighs or legs simmered in a garlicky soy glaze. It’s rich, sticky, and full of bold flavor that comes together easily on a weeknight.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • Tongs
  • Large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Meat Thermometer optional

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken

  • 1.5 –2 lbs bone-in chicken thighs or legs skin-on
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 –2 tbsp oil for browning

For the Brown Sugar Glaze

  • ½ cup finely diced onion
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp grated ginger or ½ tsp ground ginger
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels. Season evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Heat oil in a large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken legs and brown for 4–5 minutes per side until golden. (Don’t worry about cooking them through just yet.) Remove chicken and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add onions and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger; cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add soy sauce, broth, brown sugar, salt, paprika, nutmeg, thyme, and pepper. Stir and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Return chicken legs to the pan, turning to coat them in the sauce. Arrange them skin-side up. Spoon a bit of glaze over the tops.
  • Transfer the pan to the oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked (internal temp should be 165°F and juices run clear).
  • Spoon the glaze over the chicken before serving. This dish is perfect with white rice, roasted veggies, or a side of mashed potatoes.
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