Grilled Coca Cola Glazed Chicken (Printable Version)

Juicy grilled chicken with a sticky, sweet and tangy Coca Cola glaze. Ready in 35 minutes.

# 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 fresh parsley, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the Coca Cola, ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Set aside 1/2 cup of the glaze mixture for basting later, 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 outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (approximately 375°F to 400°F). Lightly oil the grill grates 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 closed, basting occasionally with the reserved glaze. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.
05 - Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The glaze caramelizes on the grill and creates a char that tastes like you spent all day tending a smoker.
  • It uses pantry staples and one surprise ingredient that makes everyone curious before they even taste it.
02 -
  • Never reuse the marinade that touched raw chicken as a finishing sauce. That reserved half cup exists precisely for this reason.
  • If your grill flare ups become aggressive, move the chicken to a cooler spot temporarily because the sugar in the glaze burns faster than you expect.
03 -
  • Let the Coca Cola go flat before mixing the marinade because the bubbles add nothing and flat soda blends more smoothly.
  • Use a meat thermometer every single time because the sugar in the glaze makes it hard to judge doneness by appearance alone.

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