Grilled Coca Cola Glazed Chicken (Printer-friendly)
Juicy grilled chicken breasts with a sweet, tangy Coca Cola glaze. A BBQ favorite ready in 35 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
→ Coca Cola Glaze & Marinade
02 - 1 cup Coca Cola (regular, not diet)
03 - 1/3 cup ketchup
04 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free tamari 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 It:
01 - In a medium bowl, combine Coca Cola, ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Whisk until fully blended and smooth.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Reserve 1/2 cup of the glaze mixture for basting during grilling, 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 (around 375-400°F). Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove chicken from the marinade and discard the used marinade. Place chicken on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side with the lid down, basting occasionally with the reserved Coca Cola glaze. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part.
05 - Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The glaze caramelizes on the grill creating a lacquered finish that looks like you spent hours when you barely lifted a finger.
- It uses pantry staples you probably already have, which means no special grocery run on a Tuesday evening.
02 -
- Never reuse the marinade that touched raw chicken as a finishing sauce, which is why reserving that separate half cup before marinating is critical for safety.
- The sugar in the cola burns easily, so medium-high heat is your ceiling and keep a close eye during the last few minutes.
03 -
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even half-inch thickness before marinating so every piece finishes cooking at the same time.
- Apply the final coat of reserved glaze during the last two minutes of grilling with the lid open to control the caramelization precisely.