If summer had a flavor, it’d be this: smoky grilled chicken soaked in a buttermilk brine, kissed with a sticky-sweet peach sauce that clings to every charred edge. This dish is a must-have for every backyard BBQ.

And let’s be real, there’s no faking it with peaches. You want the good ones. Ripe, fragrant, maybe a little fuzzy with juice that drips down your arm when you bite in. Southern summers are built around peaches like that—whether you’re picking them up fresh from a Georgia roadside stand or grabbing jars of small-batch preserves that taste like sunshine in a spoon.

This recipe leans hard into that Southern flavor profile. Buttermilk brining isn't just tradition, it’s science. It tenderizes the chicken, making it easier to season, and locks in moisture so every bite is juicy. Then you hit it with that glaze, made from real peach preserves, not some artificial junk, blended with tangy vinegar, a little mustard bite, and just enough heat to keep it interesting.

It’s balanced. It’s bold. It’s Southern BBQing done right.

It Just Works for Summer… it’s:

Grill-Ready: No oven. No sweat. Just fire, smoke, and flavor.
Peach Season Perfection: Whether fresh or preserved, peak peaches make the glaze shine.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Brine overnight, and the rest moves fast—perfect for cookouts or weeknight wins.
Built for Sharing: Feeds a crowd, doubles easily, and pairs with all the summer classics—cornbread, coleslaw, grilled veggies, or just a cold beer.

Don’t Sleep on the Details

Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. That skin gets crispy and soaks up the glaze like a sponge. And don’t skip the brine, that’s where the magic starts. Want to level it up? Throw some fresh peach halves on the grill alongside the chicken for a killer side.

This isn’t just a recipe. It’s a Southern ritual. The kind of dish that shows up at family reunions, tailgates, and long weekends when the sun hangs low and the grill stays hot.

If you're chasing a flavor that hits like summer should —bright, bold, and a little sticky —this is your move.

Ready to fire up the grill? I’ve got you, see the full recipe card!

Let’s make this summer taste like it should.

The Taste of Summer: Chicken with Peach BBQ Sauce

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