Coca Cola Glazed Chicken (Printable)

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

# What goes in:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)

→ 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 fully blended and the sugar dissolves.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade 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 (approximately 375°F to 400°F). Oil the grill grates generously to prevent 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 down, basting occasionally with the reserved Coca-Cola glaze, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part.
05 - Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve alongside grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, or a light summer salad.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The Coca Cola reduces into a glossy glaze that tastes like someone spent hours on a complex barbecue sauce when it really only took minutes.
  • It uses pantry staples you probably already have, which means no last minute grocery store runs.
02 -
  • Toss the used marinade that touched raw chicken and only use the reserved half cup for basting to keep everything safe.
  • If the glaze starts burning before the chicken is cooked through, move the pieces to a cooler part of the grill and close the lid to finish gently.
03 -
  • Boneless chicken thighs swap in beautifully if you prefer juicier meat, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
  • A pinch of cayenne pepper in the marinade transforms the whole dish from sweet and mild to sweet and irresistible.

Return