Saucy Grilled Peach Chicken Recipe
This Saucy Grilled Peach Chicken is a flavorful and juicy dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts marinated in a delightful blend of peach preserves, soy sauce, whiskey, and aromatic spices. Grilling the chicken imparts a smoky char while a simmered glaze made from the reserved marinade adds a luscious finish. Optional grilled peaches add a sweet and smoky compliment, perfect for a summer meal or backyard cookout.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 35 minutes (including marinating time)
- 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, to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- 2–4 medium peaches, halved and pitted
- Olive oil (for brushing peaches)
Instructions
- Prep chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place them on a cutting board and use a meat mallet to pound the chicken evenly to about ½-inch thickness. Transfer the chicken into a shallow baking dish or a large resealable plastic bag and set aside.
- Make the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the peach preserves, soy sauce, peach whiskey, olive oil, dark brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until fully combined. Reserve half of this marinade in a separate container and refrigerate.
- Marinate the chicken: Pour the remaining half of the marinade over the chicken breasts, toss well to coat evenly. Cover with plastic wrap or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to fully infuse the flavors.
- Preheat grill: Prepare your grill for indirect cooking and preheat to medium-high heat, about 400°F. Lightly grease the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the chicken: Shake off excess marinade from the chicken and place it on the hot grill grates. Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer. Transfer cooked chicken to a serving plate and let it rest briefly.
- Grill the peaches (optional): Brush the cut sides of the peach halves lightly with olive oil. Place them cut-side down on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes or until grill marks appear. Remove from grill and set aside.
- Simmer the reserved marinade: In a small saucepan, add the reserved marinade and 1-2 tablespoons of water if needed to loosen it. Heat over medium-low heat, allowing it to simmer gently until warmed through and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Glaze and serve: Brush the warm marinade glaze over the grilled chicken to coat it with extra flavor. Arrange the grilled peaches alongside the chicken as garnish if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- If you don’t have peach-flavored whiskey, a mild bourbon or a peach schnapps can be used as a substitute.
- Grilled peaches add a smoky sweetness but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Olive oil helps prevent the chicken and peaches from sticking to the grill.
- The reserved marinade must be simmered before glazing to ensure safety since it was in contact with raw chicken.
Keywords: grilled chicken, peach chicken, peach preserves, grilled peaches, summer barbecue, chicken marinade, whiskey chicken, grilled main dish
Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/saucy-grilled-peach-chicken-recipe/
