Name: Grilled Apricot Glazed Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken legs; 3 tablespoons apricot preserves; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 garlic clove (minced); 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; Cooking spray

A delicious sweet and tangy apricot glaze coats chicken chicken legs being cooked on the grill using the indirect heat method.

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This Apricot-Glazed Chicken is an easy grilled recipe perfect for summer barbecues and picnics. The chicken is coated with a tangy apricot glaze and then cooked over an indirect heat, allowing the meat to cook to perfection.

Overhead view of a plate with grilled chicken legs and potato salad with a strawberry to the left of the chicken

This is a great recipe to make on the grill over indirect heat. The sauce is infused into the chicken as it slowly cooks over the fire

Cooking Raw Chicken on the Grill

I have always been fearful of cooking raw chicken on the grill. There is nothing worse than cutting into a piece of chicken that hasn't fully cooked and is still pink and raw on the inside. That is why, for the most part, I always would parboil my chicken before grilling it.

However, I read about grilling meat over an indirect heat to allow it to cook fully and yet not burn the outside. I decided to give indirect grilling a try and see how I would do with it. The results turned out delicious and I decided to share this recipe and experience with my readers.

partially cooked chicken legs on the grill

How to Grill over Indirect Heat

If your grilling over indirect heat, you may wonder how to get the grill marks on the meat! It's very simple, and I am happy to share with you how to grill over indirect heat until your meat is cooked to perfection.

To Prepare the grill for indirect grilling on a gas grill, heat one side of the grill to medium-high and leave the other side with no heat.

If using a charcoal grill, arrange hot coals on one side of charcoal grate, leaving the other side empty.

To begin, the meat will be cooked for 5 minutes on each side over direct flame. Once the meat has seared and grill marks have been made, the meat is place on the side of the grill with no flame to continue cooking.

It is important to keep the lid of the grill closed when cooking over indirect heat. This allows the heat to remain trapped and cook the meat as if it were in an oven!

Grilled Apricot Glazed Chicken Legs on a plate with a strawberry in the background

What you need to make Apricot Glazed Chicken

A gas or charcoal grill: I love the results of both, but when cooking on the grill myself I much prefer a gas grill and this is the one I use.

Chicken: I used drumsticks, but you can use chicken breast or thighs if you wish. This recipe serves 4 people so you need at 1 pound of chicken.

Apricot preserves

Red Wine Vinegar give this sauce the tang and helps to tenderize the chicken as it cooks.

Make this Grilled chicken recipe your own

Give the sauce a little Asian touch use soy sauce instead of vinegar. I would reduce the amount of soy sauce to 1 tablespoon.
Use peach preserves or orange marmalade in place of apricot jam.
Remove the skin from the chicken prior to cooking, the meat will still turn out tender and juicy!

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When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

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