Description
Make easy, one-pan Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs with crispy skin and a sticky glaze. Perfect for a quick, delicious dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice
- Fresh parsley or chives
Instructions
- Step: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it’s heating up, pat your chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Step: Evenly sprinkle the spice and sugar rub all over the chicken thighs, ensuring both sides are coated and the rub is massaged into the skin side.
- Step: Heat the olive oil in your large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, place chicken thighs in the pan, skin-side down, and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and the skin releases easily.
- Step: Flip the chicken thighs so they are skin-side up. Pour the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar into the pan around the chicken.
- Step: Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
- Step: Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the chicken to a clean plate or cutting board to rest. If desired, simmer the pan juices on the stovetop for a minute or two to thicken.
- Step: Spoon the pan juices over the rested chicken, garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives, and serve immediately.
Notes
Patting the chicken completely dry is essential for crispy skin. Using bone-in, skin-on thighs provides richer flavor and more moisture. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: chicken thigh recipes
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American, Southern-US
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 thighs
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: contains-meat, contains-poultry, contains-added-sugar, smoked, comfort-food, crispy, family-friendly, juicy, sweet-and-savory