Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I’m always looking for easy chicken breast recipes (aren’t we all?) and this simple grilled chicken is always a hit! I’m pretty sure it has something to do with the cola infused sauce. It’s so bold and flavorful! In fact, this has become one of our favorite ways to prepare grilled chicken.
- The barbecue sauce is great on all kinds of grilled meat. Double the sauce so you’ll have extra for steak, burgers and pork chops.
- The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks. So don’t wait to make it just for this recipe.
- Add leftovers to salads, soups, tacos and more!
After you preview the recipe card, be sure to look below for ingredient substitutions, recipe and storage tips, and suggestions for pairings and fun variations!
Grilled Cola Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 cup cola
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
- Preheat the grill for medium-high heat.
- In a medium saucepan, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the 1 clove garlic, minced and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup cola, 1/3 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until sauce reduces and thickens. Remove 6 tablespoons of sauce and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and c1/2 teaspoon ground cumin. Rub the spice mixture over the 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Place chicken on grill and baste with 3 tablespoons of the reserved sauce.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then turn chicken over and baste with the remaining 3 tablespoons of reserved sauce. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant read thermometer.
- Serve with remaining sauce.
Nutrition
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Can I Use a Different Soda?
Yes! The sauce for this chicken can be made with other soda–Dr Pepper or root beer are favorites at our house. Cherry cola is another fun twist! I don’t recommend using diet soda though because some artificial sweeteners may alter the taste when cooked.
Spice Alternatives
If you want to switch up the spices, or don’t have all the spices listed on hand, that’s okay. The ground cumin can easily be omitted. For a more smoky flavor, swap smoked paprika for some of the chili powder or regular paprika. And feel free to add a pinch of cayenne for extra heat.
Recipe Tips
- Regular (not diet) cola works best for this recipe because it contains sugar that caramelizes on the grill. Diet or sugar-free versions just don’t give the same results.
- Keep an eye on the sauce as it simmers. It should be slightly thick but still pourable to make basting easier.
- Just baste the chicken once or twice during grilling. Basting too often can cause the sauce to drip into the flames, potentially charring the chicken.
- After grilling, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken juicy and tender.
Storing & Reheating
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep any extra sauce separate for best results.
- To reheat leftovers, the oven works best! Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place chicken in a baking dish with a few tablespoons of reserved sauce and a splash of water to prevent drying out. Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Variations & Fun Twists
Spicy Cola Chicken: Add a half teaspoon cayenne pepper or a few dashes of Tabasco or hot sauce to the sauce.
Honey BBQ Cola Chicken: Replace the brown sugar with honey and add ¼ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce for a sweet and smoky flavor.
Teriyaki Cola Chicken: Use rice vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar, replace Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce, and add a teaspoon of grated ginger for an Asian-inspired sauce.
Orange Cola Chicken: Stir a tablespoon of orange juice and some orange zest into the sauce.
Pairings
The real question here is what couldn’t you serve with these grilled chicken breasts? The possibilities–from soup and salad, to rice and pasta, to vegetables–are almost endless.
These are some of our favorite side dishes to serve alongside grilled chicken breasts.
More Chicken Breast Recipes to Try
- Chicken with Mustard Cream Sauce
- Balsamic Chicken
- Creamy Chicken Picasso
- Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bake
- Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken
2 comments
erika
Since we are NC born and raised, it was only fitting to use Cheerwine and Pepsi. We made two batches of the sauce, one with Cheerwine and the other with Pepsi. It was too close to pick a favorite. Such a refreshing change from the typical Cola BBQ sauce that is overly sweet.
Amy
I’m making this one soon! As you know, I love all things Cola!