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Flavorful Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Thighs

brown sugar garlic chicken thighs - featured image
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A quick and easy grilled chicken recipe featuring a sticky, sweet, and garlicky brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully for crispy skin and juicy meat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds / 1.4 kg)
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (50 g)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, minced garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir until sugar dissolves and ingredients are well mixed (about 5 minutes).
  2. Marinate the chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place in bowl or resealable plastic bag, pour marinade over, and massage to coat evenly. Marinate in fridge for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1-2 hours (minimum 15 minutes if short on time).
  3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F / 200°C). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  4. Grill the chicken: Place thighs skin-side down on the grill. Cook 6-8 minutes per side, flipping once, until skin is crispy and charred in spots and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Total grilling time about 12-16 minutes.
  5. Optional glaze basting: If leftover marinade is available, brush it on during the last 5 minutes of grilling after bringing it to a boil.
  6. Rest and serve: Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to redistribute juices.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating to ensure proper caramelization. Control flare-ups by keeping a spray bottle of water handy. Use medium-high heat to crisp skin without burning sugar. Rest chicken before serving for juicier meat. Marinate 1-2 hours ideally; avoid marinating longer than 6 hours to prevent overly sticky skin. If no grill available, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes on a wire rack and finish under broiler for crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar chicken, garlic chicken thighs, grilled chicken, easy dinner, summer grilling, sweet and savory chicken, backyard cookout

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/flavorful-brown-sugar-garlic-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-grilled-dinner-ideas/