Description
Carolina Chicken is a flavorful grilled chicken recipe featuring a tangy marinade made with apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and a spicy kick from crushed red pepper flakes. This dish is marinated to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with a perfect balance of sweetness, heat, and savory seasoning, making it ideal for summer barbecues or a delicious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup vegetable oil (or olive oil)
- 3 Tbsp dried crushed red pepper flakes
- 4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
Main
- 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, light brown sugar, vegetable oil, dried crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until well combined and the sugar has dissolved.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts in a large gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, seal the bag tightly, and refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Cook the chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and discard the leftover marinade. Grill the chicken over medium-high heat or cook in a skillet until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and juicy. This usually takes about 6-8 minutes per side depending on thickness.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight but no less than 4 hours.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with olive oil for a slightly richer taste.
- Grilling is preferred, but you can also cook the chicken on the stovetop in a skillet if a grill is not available.
- Ensure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165ºF before serving.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes depending on your preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American Southern
