Saucy Grilled Peach Chicken Recipe
This Saucy Grilled Peach Chicken recipe features juicy boneless skinless chicken breasts marinated in a flavorful blend of peach preserves, soy sauce, peach whiskey, and aromatic spices. Grilled to perfection and finished with a luscious peach glaze, this dish offers a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors perfect for summer cookouts or casual dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 31 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
Marinade
- ¾ cup peach preserves
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup peach flavored whiskey (e.g., Crown Royale)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper, to taste
For Garnish (Optional)
- 2–4 medium peaches, halved and pitted
- Olive oil for brushing peaches
Instructions
- Prep chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and use a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness of about ½ inch to ensure even cooking. Transfer the chicken to a shallow baking dish or resealable plastic bag and set aside.
- Make the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together peach preserves, soy sauce, peach whiskey, olive oil, dark brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until combined. Reserve half of this marinade and refrigerate it for later use.
- Marinate the chicken: Pour the remaining marinade over the prepared chicken. Toss well to coat all pieces evenly. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to absorb maximum flavor.
- Preheat and prepare the grill: Set up your grill using indirect heat and preheat to 400°F (medium-high heat). Lightly grease the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess. Place the chicken breasts onto the hot grill grates. Grill for approximately 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer. Remove from grill and let rest on a serving platter for a few minutes.
- Grill the peaches (optional): Brush the cut sides of peach halves with olive oil. Place peaches cut-side down on the grill for about 3 minutes, until char marks form. Remove and set aside.
- Simmer the reserved marinade: Pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and add 1-2 tablespoons of water if needed to loosen. Heat over medium-low heat and simmer gently for a few minutes until it is warmed through and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Glaze the chicken and serve: Brush the grilled chicken breasts with the warmed marinade sauce. Garnish with the grilled peaches if desired. Serve immediately alongside your preferred side dishes. Enjoy your flavorful saucy grilled peach chicken!
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- Using a meat thermometer ensures the chicken is safely cooked to 165°F.
- If you don’t have peach whiskey, substitute with peach nectar or another fruit-flavored whiskey for a similar flavor.
- Grilling peaches is optional but adds a lovely smoky sweetness and attractive presentation.
- You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier results.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spice.
Keywords: grilled chicken, peach chicken, peach preserves, summer grilling, easy chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken, BBQ chicken
