Cherry Coke Chicken Skewers for a sweet, cherry spin on one of our favorite proteins! There are a couple different ways to cook with Cherry Coke, but for this recipe I decided to use it in a BBQ sauce. I started by making this BBQ sauce and then added my chicken drumsticks to skewers. Let the chicken cook and glaze it with our Cherry Coke BBQ Sauce to complete the meal. Fun, unique and delicious! Keep reading to find out how to make it yours.
Cherry Coke
What do you call Cherry Coke? Is it a soda? Maybe it’s pop to you. Us southerners refer to it as a coke. I grew up outside of the south and always found it humorous that in Tennessee we refer to anything as coke. You want a Sprite? It’s in the category of a coke. How about a Dr. Pepper? Well, that’s also in the category of a coke. Fanta? Coke.
In most situations, we just call the specific type of coke you want by name. However, it gets really confusing when someone asks you for a coke. You don’t really know if they want a Coke a Cola, or something within the general coke category. Anyway, there’s your fun piece of information for today’s recipe, now onto the Cherry Coke Chicken Skewers.
Cherry Coke plus Chicken Skewers
This recipe starts with the Cherry Coke BBQ sauce. I lit my fire and then placed a skillet over the grill grate. Then, one by one I added each ingredient to the Cherry Coke BBQ sauce. Bring this liquid mixture to a roaring boil, before pushing some coals to the side to cool the liquid down into a simmer. Let this Cherry Coke BBQ sauce simmer until it’s reduced to a sauce-like consistency. Stir as needed throughout this process.
Up next, the chicken skewers. Remove the Cherry Coke BBQ sauce from the fire as it finishes cooking. I also removed the grill grate so that the chicken skewers could cook directly over the coals. Next, season each chicken drumstick and then place it on a skewer. Place the skewers on the grill once all the chicken drumsticks are seasoned and skewered. Now, we let them cook.
Cherry Coke meat Chicken Skewers
Cook the chicken drumsticks until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. As the chicken approaches its final temperature, start to add the Cherry Coke BBQ sauce. I used a basting brush to coat each drumstick because it helps evenly distribute each one in this delicious sauce. Continue to flip the skewers and cook the chicken, adding more BBQ sauce as needed (or desired). Pull them from the grill once they’re done cooking.
Now, time to prepare these because up next is serving. Remove each cherry coke chicken drumstick from the skewer and place on a serving platter. I then garnished mine with some chopped scallions and sesame seeds. Let’s eat! Best enjoyed with friends, family and maybe even a cherry coke. Cheers!
For more delicious recipes, check out my cookbook Food X Fire!
Cherry Coke Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 10-12 Chicken Drumsticks
- 2 tbsp of Cherry Chipotle Seasoning
- 1 tbsp of Canola Oil
BBQ Sauce:
- 1/4 cup of Cherry Coke
- 2 tbsp of Ketchup
- 1 tbsp of Chipotle Purée
- 2 tsp of Cherry Preserves
- 1.5 tsp of Black Garlic Sauce
- 1 tsp of Honey
Garnish:
- Sliced Scallions
- Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- In a bowl, add your chicken drumsticks. Lather with canola oil and season using the Cherry Chipotle Seasoning. If you do not have Cherry chipotle, use any BBQ seasoning you like. Take out two long skewers and begin to skewer the drumsticks. Skewer in the larger meat area of the drumstick close to the bone for a more firm hold on the skewer. Once all the chicken is skewered, set in the fridge.
- Preheat a medium high fire with at least 6-8 inches distance between the coals and where the food will sit.
- Add a cast iron skillet the preheat for 2 minutes over the fire. Begin making the BBQ sauce by adding the Cherry Coke and letting reduce by half (around 3 minutes). Next, add the rest of the ingredients for the BBQ sauce to the skillet and let simmer until thickened (about 6-7 more minutes). Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, pull off and let cool.
- Pull your chicken out of the fridge and let come to room temperature. Add the skewers to the grill to cook for about 15-20 minutes making sure you rotate every 2 minute to prevent flare ups or burning. If the chicken does begin to burn, move to a cooler side of the grill or move the coals around to lower your heat. Once the chicken has hit 170F internal, grab your BBQ sauce and begin basting the outside of the drumsticks. When they are evenly coated, cook them over the coals for another 1-2 minutes per flip until the sauce has caramelized on the outside. When done, pull off and let cool for 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully pull the chicken off the skewers and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Serve and enjoy!
