Skip to main content

Cinnamon-Cured Smoked Chicken Breasts Wih Cherry Barbecue Sauce

3.6

(7)

You can make a foil packet for the wood chips (see instructions), or buy a disposable aluminum pan that fits your grill.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

4 cups water
1/4 cup coarse salt
1/4 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves (1 1/2 pounds total)
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 thin lemon slices
2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
2 cups wood chips (preferably cherry or apple), soaked 1 hour in water to cover, drained

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Whisk 4 cups water, coarse salt, and sugar in large bowl until sugar dissolves. Add chicken breasts, sliced onion, lemon slices, and broken cinnamon sticks. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.

    Step 2

    Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Place wood chips in 8x6-inch foil packet left open at top; set packet atop coals 5 minutes before grilling chicken. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Grill chicken until just cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to platter. Serve, passing Cherry Barbecue Sauce separately.

Read More
This chicken salad nails it—creamy, herby, and endlessly riffable.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Like crispy gnocchi caprese and raspberry—brown butter skillet cake.
Like hot honey chicken with peaches and a dirty martini spritz.
The secret to flavorful, never-greasy eggplant parm? Brine the eggplant first.
Just as great with coffee for breakfast as it is with amaro for dessert.
Nutty, protein-packed, and batchable—perfect for hectic mornings.