Grilled Coca Cola Glazed Chicken (Printable Version)

Juicy grilled chicken breasts with a sticky, sweet and tangy Coca Cola glaze for your next BBQ.

# What You'll 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 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

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine the Coca-Cola, ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Whisk until thoroughly blended and the sugar has dissolved.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Reserve 1/2 cup of the glaze mixture and set aside for basting later. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, seal the bag or cover the dish, 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. Lightly oil the grill grates using a folded paper towel dipped in vegetable oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the used marinade. Place the chicken breasts on the grill, close the lid, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side. Baste occasionally with the reserved Coca-Cola glaze during grilling. Cook until the internal temperature of the thickest part reaches 165°F as measured with a meat thermometer.
05 - Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The glaze caramelizes on the grill creating a sticky crust that rivals any restaurant BBQ sauce you have ever tasted.
  • It uses pantry staples and one unexpected ingredient that makes everyone ask what your secret is.
02 -
  • Never reuse the marinade that touched raw chicken for anything, which is why you reserve that half cup before the chicken goes in.
  • If the glaze starts burning before the chicken is done, move it to indirect heat and finish it with the lid closed to protect the sugars from flare ups.
03 -
  • Letting the chicken rest is not optional and cutting into it early will drain every bit of juiciness you worked so hard to achieve.
  • A cold Coca Cola straight from the can poured into the marinade gives you the best flavor, and the fizz actually helps the sugars penetrate the meat more effectively.

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