Grilled Chicken with Smoky Chipotle-Peach Glaze
Juicy grilled chicken breasts glazed with a sweet and smoky chipotle-peach sauce that balances fruity sweetness with mild heat. The preserves create a beautiful caramelized coating while fresh lime juice adds brightness. Perfect for summer barbecues or weeknight dinners when you want restaurant-quality flavor at home. Grilled peach halves make an elegant accompaniment that echoes the glaze flavors.
Ingredients
- ½ cup peach preservesapricot preserves1:1
works well
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 1 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, seeded, choppedjalapeño1:1heat
less smoky flavor
- 1 teaspoon adobo sauce, from can of chiles
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 2 1/2 lb
- 1 teaspoon garlic-pepper blend
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 peaches, cut in half and pitted(optional)
- cilantro sprigs
Instructions
- 1
Heat gas or charcoal grill
- 2
Mix preserves, lime juice, chipotle chile, and adobo sauce in saucepan
- 3
Heat mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until preserves melt
- 4
Stir in chopped cilantro and set aside
- 5
Sprinkle chicken with garlic-pepper blend, cumin, and salt
- 6
Place chicken on grill and cover
- 7
Cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once or twice
- 8
Brush with preserves mixture during last 2 minutes of grilling
- 9
Cook until chicken juice runs clear and center reaches 170°F
- 10
Add peach halves to grill for last 2 to 3 minutes until heated
- 11
Heat remaining preserves mixture to boiling and boil for 1 minute
- 12
Serve chicken with peaches and garnish with cilantro sprigs
Tips
Let chicken rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling for more even cooking.
Reserve some glaze before brushing on raw chicken to avoid cross-contamination.
Oil the grill grates well to prevent the glazed chicken from sticking.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Store chicken and glaze separately.
Make glaze up to 2 days ahead. Season chicken up to 4 hours ahead.
Serve immediately while chicken is hot and peaches are warm.
Common Mistakes
Don't brush glaze on too early or it will burn on the grill.
Don't skip resting the cooked chicken or juices will run out when sliced.
Substitutions
less smoky flavor
drain well first
FAQ
Can I use frozen peaches instead of fresh?
Yes, thaw and drain frozen peach halves thoroughly before grilling. They may be softer than fresh but will still work well.
What if I don't have a grill?
Use a grill pan or bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes. Brush with glaze during last 5 minutes of cooking.
How long will the leftover glaze keep?
Store unused glaze in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat before serving as a sauce.