If you’re looking for an easy yet irresistibly delicious weeknight dinner, this Brown Sugar Chicken Bake Recipe is a total winner. The combination of sweet brown sugar and savory Italian seasoning hits a perfect balance that feels both cozy and fresh. I love how it effortlessly creates a caramelized glaze on the chicken that makes every bite juicy and flavorful without needing a ton of fuss.

What makes this Brown Sugar Chicken Bake Recipe special for me is how fast it comes together and how useful it is for busy evenings when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. It’s also a great dish to prepare ahead and have ready for leftovers that taste just as good the next day, making your meal planning a breeze!

Ingredients You’ll Need

These few simple ingredients work so well together to build layers of flavor in the dish. When you shop for them, just keep an eye out for fresh chicken breasts and a good-quality Italian dressing mix to make this bake sing.

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Choose even-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly. Thawed chicken works best here.
Light brown sugar: Using packed brown sugar adds moisture and a rich caramel note to the dish.
Dry Italian dressing mix (contents only): This packs in lots of herbs and seasoning with minimal effort. Avoid the liquid part to keep the coating dry and caramelize nicely.
Sweet paprika: Adds a mild warmth and a beautiful color that complements every bite.
Olive oil: Helps the seasoning stick and promotes that golden caramelized finish when baking.

Variations

I like to mix things up depending on the season or what we have on hand. Feel free to tweak this Brown Sugar Chicken Bake Recipe to fit your taste or dietary needs — it’s super flexible.

Spicy Kick: Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the dry mix for a little heat. I added this once during a chilly winter for a warming punch, and it was a hit!
Herb Swap: If you don’t have Italian dressing mix, blend dried oregano, basil, garlic powder, and thyme instead. Homemade seasoning blends let you customize the flavor exactly how you like it.
Gluten-Free Option: Confirm your Italian dressing mix is gluten-free or substitute with gluten-free herbs and spices to keep this safe for everyone at your table.

How to Make Brown Sugar Chicken Bake Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Ingredients

Get your oven warmed up to 425°F (218°C) early so it’s ready for a perfect bake. While it heats, mix the brown sugar, Italian seasoning, and paprika together in a small bowl. This quick mix ensures every chicken piece gets an even coating of flavor.

Step 2: Ready the Baking Dish and Coat the Chicken

Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with foil for super easy cleanup—trust me, it saves time and hassle! Lay the chicken breasts in a single layer, then use a pastry brush or your fingers to coat both sides lightly with olive oil. Next, sprinkle the seasoning mix over each piece and rub it in gently so it sticks well.

Step 3: Bake and Broil for the Perfect Finish

Bake your chicken for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature hits 165°F and the juices run clear. To get that glorious caramelized crust, switch your oven to broil and cook for 2 to 3 minutes while keeping a close eye so it doesn’t burn. This broil step is my favorite part—it adds such an irresistible golden finish to the Brown Sugar Chicken Bake Recipe.

How to Serve Brown Sugar Chicken Bake Recipe

The image shows four pieces of raw light pink chicken meat placed in a neat vertical row on the left side, each piece smooth and glossy. On the right side, there are five small white bowls and one pile of granulated light brown sugar at the top left. From top to bottom, the bowls contain a bright reddish-brown powder, a mix of green and red dried herbs and spices, a clear golden yellow liquid, and a coarse white salt mixed with small red and green specks. The background is a white marble surface, creating a clean and fresh look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or a little green onion on top for a pop of color and freshness. A squeeze of lemon juice right before serving can also brighten up the sweet and savory flavors beautifully.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs wonderfully with roasted veggies, garlic mashed potatoes, or a simple crisp green salad. Sometimes I whip up some steamed green beans or couscous for a quick and balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like to plate this with a drizzle of balsamic glaze or serve over a bed of creamy polenta. Garnishing with edible flowers or microgreens also adds a beautiful touch that impresses guests without much extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I keep leftover brown sugar chicken sealed in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It’s perfect for quick lunches or tossed into salads, wraps, or omelets during the week.

Freezing

Since this recipe uses thawed chicken breasts, I don’t recommend freezing it after it’s cooked as the texture can suffer. I’ve found it’s best to freeze raw meat if needed and prepare this dish fresh for consistent flavor and moisture.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently in the oven or on the stovetop to keep the caramelized texture intact. Microwaving works in a pinch, but I prefer low and slow reheating to avoid drying out the chicken.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Brown Sugar Chicken Bake Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are fattier and juicier, and they work wonderfully with the sweet and savory glaze in this recipe. Just keep in mind they might need a slightly longer bake time depending on thickness, so use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Is it possible to make this recipe with fresh Italian herbs instead of dry dressing mix?

Yes, you can substitute the dry Italian dressing mix with fresh herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, and thyme combined with garlic powder and a pinch of salt and pepper. Fresh herbs add a vibrant flavor, but be sure to adjust quantities so the seasoning doesn’t get washed out.
How do I avoid the chicken drying out during baking?

Coating the chicken in olive oil and the brown sugar mixture helps lock in moisture. Keeping an eye on bake time and using a thermometer to pull the chicken at 165°F ensures it stays juicy. Also, broiling just briefly at the end caramelizes without overdrying.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time for a party?

Yes! You can prep the seasoned chicken and line the baking dish with foil a few hours in advance, then just bake and broil when ready. This helps save time and lets you socialize while still serving a fresh, flavorful meal.

Final Thoughts

This Brown Sugar Chicken Bake Recipe is one of those cozy, dependable meals that never fails to satisfy. I always recommend it when friends ask for something quick but special, and it’s become a go-to in my house for busy weeks or casual gatherings. Give it a try—you might find it becomes one of your favorite “cheat” dinners that feels anything but.

Brown Sugar Chicken Bake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 72 reviews

This Brown Sugar Chicken Bake is an easy and flavorful dish featuring boneless, skinless chicken breasts coated with a sweet and savory brown sugar, Italian seasoning, and paprika blend. Baked and then broiled for a caramelized finish, it’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep.

Author: Mary
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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

Coating

1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
Make 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.
Coat 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 gently rub it in with your hands to coat completely.
Bake Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
Broil Chicken: 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.

Keywords: brown sugar chicken, baked chicken breast, easy chicken recipe, sweet savory chicken, Italian seasoning chicken