Aug 27 2026
RestaurantsSeared ChophouseChar Grilled Chx & Grits Recipe

Char Grilled Chx & Grits Recipe

Inspired by Seared Chophouse
Time50m
Serves4

Make Char Grilled Chx & Grits Recipe in just 50m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Chicken

Method

Chicken

  1. 1

    Marinate

    Pat chicken thighs dry. In a bowl combine olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne and lemon juice. Add chicken and toss to coat. Marinate at room temperature 15–30 minutes or refrigerate up to 2 hours.

  2. 2

    Char-grill

    Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until very hot (about 450°F/230°C). Oil the grill grates or brush the chicken lightly with oil. Place thighs on the hot grill and cook 4–5 minutes per side, turning once, until deeply charred at the edges and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and let rest 5 minutes, then slice against the grain into strips.

Grits

  1. 3

    Boil liquids

    In a medium saucepan bring water and milk to a gentle boil with 1 tsp salt.

  2. 4

    Cook grits

    Slowly whisk in the grits. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, for 20–25 minutes until thick and creamy (medium-ground may take longer). If grits become too thick, stir in splashes of water or milk to loosen.

  3. 5

    Finish

    Remove from heat and stir in 3 tbsp butter, grated cheddar, black pepper and optional hot sauce. Taste and adjust salt. Keep covered and warm until ready to serve.

Pan Sauce & Finish

  1. 6

    Make pan sauce

    While grits cook, heat 1 tbsp butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add chopped shallot and sauté 2–3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken stock and bring to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the pan. Reduce for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp olive oil, then remove from heat and stir in half the chopped parsley.

  2. 7

    Assemble

    Spoon a generous portion of cheesy grits onto each plate. Top with sliced char-grilled chicken. Spoon pan sauce over the chicken and finish with remaining parsley and sliced scallions. Drizzle a little extra olive oil if desired and serve immediately.

More from Seared Chophouse