Coca Cola Glazed Grilled Chicken (Print)

Juicy grilled chicken with a sticky Coca Cola glaze, sweet and tangy BBQ perfection.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

→ Marinade & Glaze

02 - 1 cup Coca Cola (regular, not diet)
03 - 1/3 cup ketchup
04 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
05 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
06 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Optional Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# How to Make:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the Coca Cola, ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until fully combined.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade for basting later, then pour the remaining marinade over the chicken. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.
03 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (approximately 375°F to 400°F). Oil the grill grates thoroughly to prevent the chicken from sticking.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the used marinade. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side with the lid closed, basting occasionally with the reserved Coca Cola glaze. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F as measured with a meat thermometer.
05 - Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The Coke reduces into a glaze that tastes like you spent hours on it when you barely tried.
  • It converts even the most chicken breast skeptical people at your table.
02 -
  • Never reuse the marinade that touched raw chicken as a finishing sauce, always reserve a clean portion before the chicken goes in.
  • If the glaze starts burning on the grill instead of caramelizing, move the chicken to indirect heat and finish it gently.
03 -
  • Bring the chicken to room temperature for twenty minutes before grilling so it cooks evenly from edge to edge.
  • If you do not have an outdoor grill, a cast iron grill pan on high heat gives you great char and even better glaze control.

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