Description
Tender chicken glazed with a brown sugar–Italian seasoning sauce—this one‑pan Brown Sugar Italian Chicken is sweet, savory, and utterly satisfying, perfect for effortless weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- ½ tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste (or ¼ cup tomato sauce)
- ½ cup chicken broth or water
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium‑high heat.
- Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden; transfer to a plate.
- If using garlic, add and sauté briefly; stir in tomato paste, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour in broth (or water), stir to combine into a glaze.
- Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over each piece, reduce heat to medium‑low, and simmer 5–8 minutes until cooked through and sauce thickens.
- Taste and adjust—add a splash of lemon juice or more seasoning if desired.
- Let chicken rest for a minute in sauce, then spoon final glaze over before serving.
Notes
- Use boneless thighs for more juiciness and forgiving cook time.
- Swap brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a smoother glaze.
- Add vegetables (bell pepper, mushrooms, onions) to the sauce before returning chicken.
- For a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of cream or cream cheese before serving.
- Finish on the grill instead of stove top for smoky flavor—just baste with sauce while heating through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
