Grilled Jezebel Chicken

Grilled Jezebel Chicken

A new study by the University of Minnesota recently was published about dinner habits and adolescent girls. Being the mom to two teenage girls, I was interested in the results of the study. According to the report, for adolescent girls the positive impact of sharing regular family meals appears to last throughout their teenage years. Those who ate with their families at least five times a week during middle school were much less likely to drink, smoke or use marijuana five years later.

Wanting to do my part to promote drug-free girls, I made dinner for my daughters and one of My Oldest's teenage friends. I tested a couple new recipes on the girls. One of them was Grilled Jezebel Chicken. What could be better than a dish named after the wicked biblical temptress to serve a group of teenage girls? The sweet and spicy Jezebel Sauce, which is popular in the southern United States, was basted on grilled chicken breast.

Here is the Jezebel Sauce -


We all liked the new sauce for grilled chicken. It was like a fruity barbecue sauce without the ketchupy flavor. It would be delicious on ham or pork roast, tenderloin, or chops also. One grilling note, be careful brushing the sauce on the chicken while it is on the grill. The high sugar content can cause flare ups.

Do your part to keep our teenage girls on the straight and narrow. Have dinner at home with them tonight.

Grilled Jezebel Chicken

1/2 cup apricot jam
1/2 cup crushed pineapple
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
5 chicken breasts, skinless - either with or without bones

In a blender or food processor, combine the apricot jam, pineapple, and Dijon mustard. Process for about 15 seconds. Set sauce aside.

Heat a grill to medium high. Grill chicken about 10 - 12 minutes total time for boneless and 20 - 25 minutes for bone-in. Turn chicken half way through the grilling time. After the first turn, brush chicken with sauce. After total grilling time, turn chicken again and brush with sauce. Grill for a couple minutes to char chicken slightly. Remove to platter and serve with extra sauce for dipping.

A quick appetizer idea -

The Jezebel Sauce can also be served on top of cream cheese with crackers.