Coca Cola Chicken Thighs

These easy chicken thighs are the real deal delicious.  The have a great depth of flavor with a slight hint of sweetness and spice.  It is not an overpowering, thick saucy thigh, but rather just a very flavorful, juicy piece of chicken.  We loved it.  The marinade does have a lot going on, but it is all stuff that I normally have around the house (balsamic, soy, siracha, etc.).  If you don't have siracha, you can substitute a dash of red pepper flakes.  This really worked out well on the grill because it wasn't too sugary.  When we do a marinade that is too thick and too sweet on chicken, the skin has been getting really burnt before the meat is fully cooked.  Mark uses a charcoal grill and he heats the charcoal up with a chimney.  When the charcoal is hot, he pours all of the coals on one half of the grill to create a hot-spot for searing the meat.  Then there is no charcoal on the other side to create a place for food like chicken to cook through.  This method really works well for us and gives a great sear and crust, while not burning food before it is cooked inside. 

Coca Cola Chicken Thighs
Ingredients:
4 bone-in, skin on chicken thighs
2 cups Coke (NOT diet and NOT Pepsi)
4 garlic cloves, minced fine
1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbs. soy sauce
2 Tbs. siracha
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

1.  To prepare the marinade, combine all of the ingredients (except the chicken) in a freezer bag or in a container with a lid.

2.  Add the chicken and refrigerate for an hour or up to overnight.

3.  When you are ready to cook, sear the thighs for 2 minutes per side on a hot grill.

4.  Move to the cooler side of the grill and continue to cook another 8 minutes per side, until cooked through.

5.  Serve with your favorite side dish and veggies.

Delicious!

One Year Ago: Gin Ginger Fizz
Two Years Ago: Pickles in a Barrel
Three Years Ago: Spinach Arugula Pesto