Description
This Brown Sugar Chicken recipe features tender boneless skinless chicken breasts coated in a sweet and savory dry seasoning mix made from light brown sugar, Italian dressing mix, and sweet paprika. The chicken is brushed with olive oil, baked until cooked through, then broiled to achieve a lightly golden and bubbly top, making a quick and easy main dish perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 20 ounces (4 pieces, 5-ounce each) boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed
Seasoning Mix
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 0.7 ounce packet dry Italian dressing mix (contents only, no liquid)
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
Other
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare seasoning mix: In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar, the dry contents of the Italian dressing packet, and sweet paprika. Stir thoroughly to blend the dry ingredients evenly.
- Prepare baking dish: Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil to facilitate easy cleanup after baking.
- Season chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Using a pastry brush, apply olive oil to both sides of each chicken piece. Then sprinkle the brown sugar seasoning mix evenly over both sides of the chicken, and rub it in gently with your hands to coat completely.
- Bake: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
- Broil for finishing: Switch your oven to the broil setting. Broil the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully, until the tops become lightly golden and bubbly, giving the chicken a beautiful caramelized finish.
Notes
- Storage: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This recipe is great for meal prep—use leftovers in salads, sandwiches, or omelettes.
- Do not freeze cooked chicken that was previously frozen as it will affect texture and safety.
- Using foil in the baking dish simplifies cleanup.
- Adjust olive oil quantity as needed for coating the chicken thoroughly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approximately 5 ounces)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
