Can I make this recipe without a grill?

Absolutely! You can use a grill pan on the stove over medium-high heat, following the same cooking time and glazing instructions. Alternatively, broil the chicken in your oven, about 6 inches from the heat source, turning and glazing as directed in the recipe.

How spicy is this dish, and can I adjust the heat level?

With one chipotle pepper, this recipe has a moderate heat that most people find pleasant rather than overwhelming. For a milder version, use just half a pepper or a teaspoon of the adobo sauce. Heat lovers can add an extra chipotle or include some of the seeds for more fire!

Can I use frozen peaches instead of fresh?

Yes, but with some adjustments. For the glaze, thawed frozen peaches work fine. For the relish, frozen peaches will be softer when thawed, so drain them well and expect a slightly different texture. In the off-season, good-quality canned peaches (in juice, not syrup) can work in the glaze, but fresh is still preferable for the relish.

What's the best way to peel peaches easily?

If your peaches are very ripe, you can simply peel them with a sharp paring knife. For easier peeling, especially with firmer peaches, score an X on the bottom of each peach, blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, then immediately transfer to an ice bath. The skins should slip off easily!

Chipotle-Peach Glazed Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe

Name: Chipotle-Peach Glazed Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 peach, peeled; 1 chipotle in adobo sauce; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 peaches, peeled and diced; 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper; 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper; 1/4 cup diced sweet onion; 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

This Chipotle-Peach Glazed Grilled Chicken Breast is summer on a plate! Juicy chicken breasts seasoned with warm spices, painted with a spicy-sweet peach glaze, and topped with a vibrant fresh peach relish. It’s the perfect balance of heat and sweetness that comes together in just 25 minutes – ideal for those warm evenings when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet-Heat Perfection: The combination of smoky chipotle and sweet peaches creates that irresistible flavor contrast that keeps you coming back for more.
Quick Weeknight Wonder: From prep to plate in 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings when you still want something special.
Impressive Yet Easy: Looks and tastes like restaurant-quality food, but requires minimal cooking skills. Perfect for entertaining!
Healthy and Satisfying: Lean protein paired with fresh fruit and vegetables makes for a nutritious meal that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken breasts: The canvas for our flavor masterpiece. Boneless and skinless work best for quick, even cooking and maximum glaze absorption.
Warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves): These create a fragrant foundation that complements the peaches beautifully. Trust me on this combination – it’s magical with the fruit!
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and helps tenderize the chicken slightly.
Peaches: The star of the show! Used in both the glaze and relish, they provide natural sweetness and that quintessential summer flavor.
Chipotle in adobo: Brings smoky heat that balances the sweet peaches perfectly. Don’t skip this – it’s what makes this dish special!
Lemon juice: Adds brightness and helps cut through the richness of the chicken and sweetness of the peaches.
Bell peppers: Red and green varieties bring color, crunch, and mild sweetness to the relish.
Sweet onion: Provides a gentle bite without overpowering the other flavors in the relish.
Fresh cilantro: Adds a pop of herbal freshness that ties everything together.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Protein Swaps

Try this glaze and relish combination with pork chops, salmon, or even firm tofu for a vegetarian option. The flavors work wonderfully with each!

Heat Level Adjustments

For milder palates, use half a chipotle or just a teaspoon of the adobo sauce. For heat lovers, add an extra chipotle or a pinch of cayenne to the spice mix.

Fruit Alternatives

No peaches? Nectarines work perfectly as a direct substitute. You can also try mangoes or pineapple for a tropical twist.

Indoor Option

No grill? Use a grill pan on the stove or broil the chicken in your oven, still brushing with glaze as directed.

How to Make Chipotle-Peach Glazed Grilled Chicken Breast

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Combine salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a small bowl. Season your chicken breasts generously on all sides with this fragrant spice mixture. Don’t be shy – this creates your flavor foundation!

Step 2: Prepare the Glaze

In a food processor, combine a peeled peach, chipotle pepper in adobo, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and velvety. This glaze is going to create beautiful caramelization on the grill.

Step 3: Make the Relish

In a medium bowl, combine the diced peaches, red and green bell peppers, sweet onion, and fresh cilantro. Add a tablespoon of your prepared glaze, toss everything together, and set aside. The flavors will meld beautifully while you grill the chicken.

Step 4: Grill the Chicken

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the seasoned chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side. Here’s the secret to maximum flavor: brush the chicken with the chipotle-peach glaze every two minutes during cooking. This creates layers of flavor and a gorgeous glaze.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. A meat thermometer is your best friend here – perfectly cooked chicken every time!

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the chicken to plates and top each breast with a generous spoonful of the vibrant peach relish. Serve immediately while hot.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Chicken: Take your chicken out of the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before grilling for more even cooking.
Don’t Rush the Glaze: Apply multiple thin layers of glaze rather than one thick layer. This prevents burning and builds flavor complexity.
Grill Management: Create a two-zone fire on your grill (hot and medium sides) so you can move the chicken if it’s browning too quickly.
Peach Selection: Choose peaches that yield slightly to gentle pressure for the best flavor. Too firm means they’re underripe; too soft and they’ll be difficult to dice neatly.
Glaze Storage: Make extra glaze and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. It’s fantastic on pork chops or as a dipping sauce!

How to Serve

This Chipotle-Peach Glazed Chicken is a showstopper on its own, but here are some perfect pairings to complete your meal:

Side Dishes

Serve alongside coconut rice, grilled corn on the cob, or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette. The sweetness of coconut rice particularly complements the spicy-sweet chicken.

Beverage Pairings

A cold wheat beer or a glass of off-dry Riesling pairs beautifully with the sweet-heat flavor profile. For non-alcoholic options, try unsweetened iced tea with a peach slice.

Presentation Ideas

For an impressive presentation, sprinkle additional fresh cilantro over the plated dish and add a small wedge of lime for guests to squeeze over top if desired.

Make Ahead and Storage

Prep Components Ahead

You can season the chicken and prepare both the glaze and relish up to 24 hours in advance. Store each component separately in the refrigerator in airtight containers.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store any unused relish separately for maximum freshness.

Freezing

While the chicken can be frozen after cooking, the relish doesn’t freeze well. If you want to freeze, do so without the relish and make fresh relish when serving.

Reheating

For best results, reheat the chicken gently in a 300°F oven, covered with foil. Add a tablespoon of water to the baking dish to help maintain moisture. Microwave reheating works in a pinch but may toughen the chicken.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe without a grill?

Absolutely! You can use a grill pan on the stove over medium-high heat, following the same cooking time and glazing instructions. Alternatively, broil the chicken in your oven, about 6 inches from the heat source, turning and glazing as directed in the recipe.
How spicy is this dish, and can I adjust the heat level?

With one chipotle pepper, this recipe has a moderate heat that most people find pleasant rather than overwhelming. For a milder version, use just half a pepper or a teaspoon of the adobo sauce. Heat lovers can add an extra chipotle or include some of the seeds for more fire!
Can I use frozen peaches instead of fresh?

Yes, but with some adjustments. For the glaze, thawed frozen peaches work fine. For the relish, frozen peaches will be softer when thawed, so drain them well and expect a slightly different texture. In the off-season, good-quality canned peaches (in juice, not syrup) can work in the glaze, but fresh is still preferable for the relish.
What’s the best way to peel peaches easily?

If your peaches are very ripe, you can simply peel them with a sharp paring knife. For easier peeling, especially with firmer peaches, score an X on the bottom of each peach, blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, then immediately transfer to an ice bath. The skins should slip off easily!

Final Thoughts

This Chipotle-Peach Glazed Grilled Chicken Breast brings together the best of summer – juicy ripe peaches and outdoor grilling – in a dish that’s impressive enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight. The combination of sweet fruit, smoky heat, and warm spices creates a flavor profile that’s truly memorable. Give this recipe a try the next time peaches are at their peak, and I promise it will become a seasonal favorite in your household!