Sweet, savory, and irresistibly sticky, Coca-Cola chicken is made easily in one pan.
Crispy chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a sticky-sweet cola sauce made with pantry ingredients and served over veggies or rice.
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Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Fried chicken in Coca-Cola creates a sweet, savory, and caramelized glaze that tenderizes and infuses the meat with flavor.
- Difficulty: Cook the chicken and the sauce in a single pot for easy cleanup.
- Prep Note: Serve Coca-Cola chicken from a crock pot with a side of rice so guests can help themselves.
What’s in Coca-Cola Chicken?
Chicken: This recipe uses chicken thighs because they make perfect single portions, but skin-on breasts, drumsticks, and chicken wings will all work perfectly.
Coca-Cola Sauce: Any cola product (diet, Dr. Pepper, or root beer) works in this recipe, no need to buy the name brand.
Variations
- Short on time? Use frozen chicken meatballs instead. Just toss them in at Step 2. Perfect as an appetizer.
- Make a traditional Chinese version of Coca-Cola chicken, replacing the Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce and the dry mustard with ground ginger.
- Ketchup can be swapped out for BBQ sauce or homemade chili sauce for a zesty kick.
How to Make Coca-Cola Chicken
- Brown seasoned chicken.
- Whisk remaining ingredients (full recipe below) and pour over the chicken.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer.
- Serve with rice or veggies.
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Coca-Cola chicken in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat chicken with sauce on medium-low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Freeze portions in zippered bags for up to one month and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Chop up leftovers with extra rice or veggies and make a hearty wrap for school or work, or mix leftovers into an Asian slaw for a light and tangy salad.
Sticky Chicken Favorites
Did you enjoy this Coca-Cola Chicken Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ small yellow onion diced
- 12 ounces cola regular or diet
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken skin side down and cook just until browned on each side (about 5 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
- Combine onions, cola, ketchup, garlic, worcesterchire sauce, brown sugar, oregano, dry mustard powder in a small bowl. Pour over the chicken and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and cover. Simmer 15 minutes.
- Remove lid, and simmer an additional 25 to 30 minutes turning chicken occasionally until chicken is cooked through and has reached 165°F.
- Serve with rice and steamed veggies.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Chicken, Dinner, Main Course
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Excellent recipe. Household allergies to onion so I did not use that and used safe BBQ sauce instead of ketchup (usually contains onion). Added a bit more Worcestershire to up the smoke. Will use this again… and again.