Grilled Cola Glazed Chicken (Printable)
Juicy grilled chicken breasts with a sweet, tangy Coca Cola glaze perfect for backyard barbecues and family dinners.
# What You Need:
→ Protein
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Coca Cola Glaze and Marinade
02 - 1 cup Coca Cola (regular, not diet)
03 - 3 tablespoons ketchup
04 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
05 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
06 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
# How-To:
01 - In a small saucepan, combine the Coca Cola, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, and cook until the mixture reduces by about half and thickens to a glossy consistency, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and brush evenly with olive oil. Season lightly on both sides with additional salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Reserve 1/3 cup of the prepared glaze for basting during grilling. Place the chicken breasts and the remaining glaze in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, ensuring the chicken is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more pronounced flavor.
04 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, targeting approximately 400°F. Oil the grill grates thoroughly to prevent the chicken from sticking.
05 - Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the used marinade. Place the chicken breasts on the hot grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, basting frequently with the reserved glaze throughout cooking. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the exterior develops a rich, caramelized finish.
06 - Transfer the grilled chicken to a platter and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Slice and drizzle with any remaining glaze before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The Coca Cola reduces into a sticky sweet tangy glaze that tastes like you spent hours on it when it really takes about ten minutes.
- It turns ordinary weeknight chicken into something that gets people asking for the recipe every single time you serve it.
02 -
- Never reuse the marinade that the raw chicken was soaking in because it is not safe to brush back onto cooked meat.
- The glaze will look thin at first but trust the process because it thickens dramatically as it cools.
03 -
- Let the glaze cool before adding it to the chicken because hot glaze will start cooking the outside of the meat prematurely.
- Brush on the reserved glaze during the last few minutes of grilling for maximum caramelization without burning.