Description
Coca Cola Chicken is a flavorful and slightly sweet dish featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs simmered in a tangy sauce made from cola, ketchup, and spices. This comforting stovetop recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken with a glossy caramelized glaze, perfect served alongside rice and steamed vegetables for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 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
- Brown the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Place the chicken skin side down in the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, turning once to brown each side. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Prepare and add sauce: In a small bowl, combine the diced onions, cola, ketchup, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, dried oregano, and dry mustard powder. Pour this mixture over the browned chicken in the skillet. Bring the sauce to a boil.
- Simmer the chicken: Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet. Let the chicken simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to cook through gently.
- Reduce sauce and finish cooking: Remove the lid and continue to simmer the chicken uncovered for an additional 25 to 30 minutes. Turn the chicken occasionally and cook until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, and the sauce is thickened and slightly caramelized.
- Serve: Plate the chicken and spoon over the reduced cola sauce. Serve alongside cooked rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks provide the best flavor and moisture.
- Regular cola adds more sweetness and caramelization; diet cola can be used for less sugar content.
- Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Simmer gently to avoid drying out the chicken.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with plain rice and steamed or roasted vegetables.
