Description
Dr Pepper Chicken is a flavorful grilled chicken dish marinated and glazed with a sweet and tangy sauce made from Dr Pepper soda, soy sauce, and spices. Perfectly seasoned boneless, skinless chicken thighs are grilled to juicy perfection and coated with a deliciously thickened glaze that combines smoky, spicy, and savory notes for an irresistible meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Spices & Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
Chicken
- 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Glaze
- 1 cup Dr Pepper
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. dark brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. ketchup
- 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Other
- Vegetable oil, for grill
Instructions
- Prepare Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. This blend will add a balanced spicy and smoky flavor to the chicken.
- Season Chicken: Rub the seasoning mixture evenly all over the 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet, ensuring even exposure for grilling.
- Make Glaze: In a medium pot over medium heat, combine the Dr Pepper, soy sauce, dark brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat to prevent burning and set aside.
- Preheat Grill: Prepare a grill for medium-high heat, preheating the grates for about 5 minutes. Alternatively, heat a grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Brush the grill grates or pan with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill Chicken – First Side: Place the seasoned chicken thighs on the hot grill. Brush half of the prepared glaze over the chicken. Grill for about 5 minutes until the chicken easily releases from the grill grates, indicating it is ready to be turned.
- Grill Chicken – Second Side: Flip the chicken over and brush the remaining glaze on top. Continue grilling for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 155°F. This ensures the chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Rest Chicken: Transfer the grilled chicken thighs to a cutting board. Let rest briefly until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, the safe temperature for consuming poultry. Resting allows the juices to redistribute for moist, tender chicken.
Notes
- Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs helps keep the meat juicy and tender during grilling.
- The Dr Pepper glaze adds a unique sweet and slightly spicy flavor that’s hard to replicate with other sodas.
- Make sure to oil the grill grates well to prevent the chicken from sticking and tearing.
- Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is safely cooked without drying it out.
- For a spicier version, increase the cayenne pepper slightly or add a dash of hot sauce to the glaze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Dr Pepper Chicken, grilled chicken thighs, sweet glaze chicken, Dr Pepper glaze, smoky chicken, easy grilled chicken, spicy grilled chicken
