Print

Cherry Dr Pepper Grilled Chicken: Sweet & Savory Recipe Delight

Experience the delightful fusion of sweet and savory flavors with Cherry Dr Pepper Grilled Chicken. This dish transforms simple grilled chicken into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece with a unique glaze that’s hard to resist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 112 oz can Cherry Dr. Pepper
  • 1 Cup Ketchup
  • 16 oz. can tomato paste
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. liquid smoke
  • 1/2 tsp. Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 1 whole chicken cut up OR 1 package of dark meat chicken cut up about 12 pieces of chicken
  • 3 teaspoons Seasoning Salt
  • 1 tsp Paprika

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan, combine the Cherry Dr. Pepper, ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, black pepper, liquid smoke, chili powder, and minced garlic. Whisk until well blended. Ensure there are no lumps from the tomato paste.
  2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. This should take about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when small bubbles start forming throughout the sauce.
  3. Once simmering, reduce the heat to very low. Let the sauce cook uncovered for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Look for the sauce to thicken significantly and reduce by almost half. Avoid letting it boil, as this can scorch the sugars.
  4. While the sauce is simmering, prepare your chicken. If using a whole chicken, cut it into pieces, ensuring you have both dark and white meat. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp up on the grill.
  5. After the sauce has thickened, remove it from heat and allow it to cool for about 15 minutes. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator if not using immediately.
  6. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, place the chicken pieces on the grill, skin-side down. Grill for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown. This will create a nice crust.
  7. Flip the chicken pieces and brush generously with the Cherry Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce. Grill for an additional 10-15 minutes, brushing with sauce every 5 minutes. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
  8. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps retain the juices, keeping the chicken tender. Serve with extra sauce on the side for dipping.

Nutrition

Keywords: For enhanced flavor, marinate your chicken in the sauce for at least 30 minutes before grilling. If time allows, marinate overnight in the refrigerator.