Grilled Chicken with Bourbon Peach Compote

Close up of the chicken with peach sauce on it for the recipe card.

Grilled Chicken with Bourbon Peach Compote

Grilled chicken breast with bourbon peach compote is a summer favorite . It's done in less than 30 minutes! Season chicken with the chipotle cinnamon dry rub then let it rest while you simmer the peaches in bourbon and brown sugar. A few minutes on the grill and dinner is ready!

Course Main Dish - Chicken

Cuisine American - Southern

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Resting 30

Total Time 1

Servings

Calories 295kcal

Author Marye Audet-White

Equipment

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless chicken breasts thighs
32 ounces peaches canned in juice
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
½ cup sugar you can use part brown sugar if you like
1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo mashed
½ cup bourbon
2 cups onion peeled and chopped
1 clove garlic peeled and chopped

Cinnamon Dry Rub

1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon roasted cinnamon if you can find it
1 ½ teaspoons cumin
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon chipotle powder

Instructions

Mix the ingredients for the dry rub.
Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally, creating 2 thinner pieces - 8 pieces total.
Cover both sides of the chicken with the dry rub and set aside.
Drain half the juice from the peaches and discard it or save it for another use.
Chop the peaches into bite sides pieces.
Chop the onions.
Add the chopped peaches, onions, and the reserved juice to a heavy pan with the balsamic vinegar, the sugar, garlic, and the mashed chipotle.
Add about ¼ cup of bourbon.
Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has almost evaporated completely and the sauce is thick.
Add the rest of the whiskey and simmer about 2 minutes.
Set aside and keep warm.
Preheat the grill to medium high, about 375°.
Brush the grill with a light vegetable oil.
Place chicken down on the hot grill.
Grill on one side until there are char marks and chicken is browned on the underside - about 6 minutes.
Turn with tongs and grill until the chicken is 160° in the center - about 8 more minutes.
Remove to a clean platter and let stand, tented with foil, for 5 to 10 minutes. The chicken will continue to cook to a safe 165°.
Spoon about half the bourbon peach sauce over the chicken on the platter. Add the remaining sauce to the table to be added as desired.

Oven instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°.
Spray a 13x9 inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
Sprinkle the chicken breasts with the dry rub and place in the casserole dish.
Cover with the bourbon peach mixture.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until and instant-read thermometer registers 160°.
Let stand for 10 minutes while you finish dinner preparations.

Video

Notes

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly. You can freeze for up to 3 months.

Tips:

Once the dry rub is on the chicken you can cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
I find canned peaches work best in this but if you want to use frozen or peeled and pitted fresh peaches you'll want to add about ½ cup of peach nectar or water when you simmer the sauce.
Buttermilk makes a good marinade - you can soak chicken in it for 30 minutes before adding the dry rub and continuing with the recipe. It's a great way to keep the chicken moist and adds so much flavor.
Center cut pork chops can be substituted for the chicken breast.
You can use water, ginger ale, or juice instead of bourbon.
To save time sprinkle the chicken with the dry rub then put it in zip-top bag and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when you are ready to cook it. Once it's thawed it can go straight on the grill.
The bourbon peaches can be made up to 3 days ahead of time. keep refrigerated.
Take the it off the grill when the meat thermometer (or instant read thermometer) reaches 160 degrees f when stuck in the thickest part of the chicken. Let it rest of 5 to 10 minutes while you finish setting the table as the internal temperature will rise to a safe 165 degrees f during that time.
You can cook this in the oven. See the recipe for oven instructions.

Nutrition