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Caramelized Baked Chicken

Caramelized Baked Chicken
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Caramelized Baked Chicken offers a perfect balance of tender, juicy meat with a rich, sweet, and crispy caramelized crust. This simple yet impressive recipe uses minimal ingredients to deliver deep, savory-sweet flavors with a beautifully crisp skin, ideal for family meals any night of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (about 2 to 3 pounds)

Marinade

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free option)
  • 3 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or substitute lime juice for citrus twist)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, olive oil, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Mix well until the sugar dissolves and the marinade is smooth, forming the caramel glaze.
  2. Marinate the Chicken Pieces: Place the chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring each is thoroughly coated. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes; ideally, marinate overnight in the refrigerator to maximize flavor penetration.
  3. Preheat the Oven and Arrange Chicken: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the marinated chicken skin-side up on a lined baking tray or in a baking dish. Allow extra marinade to drip over for enhanced flavor.
  4. Bake and Caramelize: Bake the chicken for 35 to 45 minutes, checking occasionally. In the last 10 minutes, switch the oven to broil on high to crisp and caramelize the skin. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  5. Rest Before Serving: Remove the chicken from the oven and rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat remains juicy and tender.

Notes

  • Pat dry the chicken skin before marinating to achieve a superior caramelized finish.
  • For even cooking and crispiness, place chicken on a wire rack above the baking tray.
  • Don’t skip marinating; even 30 minutes significantly enhances flavor.
  • Carefully watch the broiling step to avoid burning the sugars in the marinade.
  • Resting the chicken after baking locks in juices and keeps meat tender.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramelized chicken, baked chicken, easy chicken recipe, family dinner, gluten-free chicken, sweet and savory chicken, oven-baked chicken

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/caramelized-baked-chicken/