Caramelized Garlic Chicken
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this irresistible Caramelized Garlic Chicken recipe! Tender, juicy chicken thighs are seared to perfection and bathed in a rich, garlicky glaze made with caramelized garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, and a touch of balsamic vinegar. The buttery, savory-sweet sauce is infused with the bold aroma of garlic, which becomes beautifully mellow and sweet as it caramelizes. With just 15 minutes of prep and straightforward cooking techniques, this dish delivers gourmet flavor without the fuss. Serve it with fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables to soak up every bit of the luscious sauce. Perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion, Caramelized Garlic Chicken is a true crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 10 cloves Garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons Low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Fresh thyme (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Peel the garlic cloves and lightly smash them with the side of a knife to release their flavor. Set aside.
Season both sides of the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs in a single layer (work in batches if necessary) and sear them for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the smashed garlic cloves and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and starting to caramelize, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Sprinkle the brown sugar over the garlic and stir for 1 minute until the sugar starts to melt and combine with the butter.
Add the soy sauce, chicken broth, and balsamic vinegar to the skillet, scraping the bottom to loosen any browned bits. Stir thoroughly to combine.
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then return the chicken thighs to the skillet. Spoon some of the sauce over each piece.
Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let the chicken cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high to let the sauce reduce and thicken for about 3-5 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken occasionally.
Serve the caramelized garlic chicken warm, garnished with fresh thyme if desired. Pair with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
505 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.5 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.5 g | 48% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 173 mg | 58% | |
| Sodium | 1171 mg | 51% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 11.1 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.0 g | ||
| Protein | 41.3 g | 83% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 59 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 511 mg | 11% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
