Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken with Rice

Learn how to make juicy, filling chicken with ingredients you already have on hand! These garlic brown sugar chicken breasts are made with garlic, brown sugar, butter, oregano, and paprika- and they come together in only 30 minutes!

Chicken is constantly in the dinner rotation here at our house because my kids will actually eat it. But it can be hard to find ways to mix it up when so many recipes for chicken are dry or lacking in flavor.

Well not this recipe! Our kids LOVE this garlic brown sugar chicken over rice or pasta. It comes together quickly with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!

These are pretty easy to make, and even better, they’re healthy and filling! You can also easily adapt them to your own tastes by changing up how much brown sugar you include. I once accidentally halved the brown sugar and the kids and I still really enjoyed it!

Your family will love this garlic brown sugar chicken, too! And if you enjoy chicken in your family like we do, you might like this recipe for Cajun Chicken Pasta or this Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice Casserole with Curry.

While you’re at it, you should also try this delicious Pesto Tomato Chicken Bake for another easy, healthy chicken meal!

They pair really well with these easy Roasted Parmesan Green Beans, too.

Ingredients for Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

Here are all the ingredients you need for this recipe for garlic brown sugar chicken:

1 pound (4-ounces each) boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness (about 1-inch thick)
salt and fresh ground pepper (to taste)
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, (minced)
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano, (or any other dried herb of your choice)
3 cups white rice
3 cups water

How to Make Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

Heat oven to 450* Farenheit.

Line the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking dish with either aluminum foil or parchment paper. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper; transfer to prepared baking dish and set aside.

Add butter and garlic to a skillet set over medium-high heat; cook and stir until butter is melted and garlic is fragrant. Stir in brown sugar, paprika, and seasonings; continue to cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let stand 1 minute, or until cool enough to handle.

Rub the brown sugar and garlic mixture all around the chicken breasts. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until browned on top and chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165F.

While the chicken is cooking in the oven, cook up some white rice in the instant pot. Just add 3 cups of uncooked rice, 3 cups of water, a little salt and pepper, and cook for 5 minutes with a natural release.

Remove chicken from oven and serve over rice immediately.