Grilled Coca Cola Glazed Chicken (Printable Version)
Juicy grilled chicken with a sweet, tangy Coca Cola glaze, perfect for barbecues and family dinners.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Marinade & Glaze
02 - 1 cup Coca Cola (not diet)
03 - 3 tablespoons ketchup
04 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (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 Make It:
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, 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.
03 - Reserve 1/3 cup of the prepared glaze for basting during grilling. Combine the remaining glaze with the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or shallow dish, ensuring the chicken is well coated. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more pronounced flavor.
04 - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F. Oil the 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 preheated grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, basting frequently with the reserved glaze. Continue grilling until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the exterior is deeply caramelized.
06 - Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Slice against the grain and drizzle with any remaining glaze before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The glaze tastes like someone spent hours on it, but it comes together in barely ten minutes with pantry staples.
- That sticky caramelized crust on the chicken will make everyone at your table go quiet for a few blessed seconds.
02 -
- Discard every drop of used marinade because it has touched raw chicken and is not safe to reuse as a finishing sauce.
- Watch the glaze carefully during reduction because sugar burns fast and goes from perfect to bitter in seconds.
03 -
- Pound thick chicken breasts to an even thickness before marinating so everything finishes cooking at the same time.
- Brush on the reserved glaze during the last few minutes of grilling for maximum caramelization without burning.