Rating: 3.63
(67)

Cola Chicken

February 1, 2024

Cola chicken is a surprisingly delicious dish that combines the bold flavors of soy sauce and garlic with the sweetness of cola to create a sticky, savory glaze. It’s an easy-to-make recipe that’s packed with flavor, perfect for a weeknight dinner or when you’re craving something a bit different.

The beauty of cola chicken lies in its simplicity. You start by cooking bone-in chicken pieces (like thighs or drumsticks) in a hot pan until they’re crispy and golden brown. The skin crisps up beautifully, providing a nice contrast to the tender, juicy meat.

Then comes the magic, pour in cola, soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of ginger, and let the mixture simmer. The cola caramelizes, infusing the chicken with a rich sweetness while the soy sauce adds savory depth. A little sugar helps to enhance the glaze, creating a sweet and salty flavor that sticks to the chicken perfectly.

As the sauce reduces and thickens, it creates a luscious, glossy coating on the chicken, making each bite even more flavorful. The resulting glaze is both sweet and tangy, with hints of umami from the soy sauce and a slight kick of garlic and ginger. It’s a simple, but satisfying combination that makes the chicken irresistibly good.

Serve cola chicken over steamed rice or alongside roasted vegetables to soak up all that delicious sauce. The sweet, savory, and slightly sticky coating makes this dish a hit with kids and adults alike. You can even make it ahead and reheat for an easy meal prep option.

Cola chicken is a fun and unique way to switch up your usual dinner routine. It’s flavorful, tender, and offers a comforting sweetness that makes it an easy favorite in any household. Whether you’re looking for something new or just want to try a different take on chicken, cola chicken is a must-try!

Cola Chicken
Cola Chicken
3.63 from 67 votes
A delicious and easy chicken dish cooked with cola.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup cola
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp ginger grated
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 Green onions chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Combine soy sauce, ketchup, cola, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, salt, and black pepper in a bowl to make the marinade.
  • Place the chicken thighs in a resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over them.
  • Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Place the marinated chicken thighs in a baking dish and pour the marinade over them.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened.
  • Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 290kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 31gFat: 9gFiber: 1g
Calories: 290kcal
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken, cola chicken
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: >45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. 2 stars
    Not bad, but I feel like it could use something else, maybe some hot sauce?

    1. User avatar heather.goyette says:

      5 stars
      I think hot sauce would be a great touch! Spicy food is the best! 🍽️

  2. 3 stars
    Hmmm, never thought about cola with chicken. I got some left over cola from BBQ party, hm…🤔

  3. 2 stars
    I’m not a fan of mixing sweet stuff with meat. It was too weird for me. Sorry but no thanks!

    1. User avatar shellie.corkery56 says:

      2 stars
      Honestly, chicken with cola? That sounds gross. I’m sticking to my BBQ sauces!

    2. User avatar exie.bogan81 says:

      4 stars
      I get what you mean, mixing sweet and savory can be a bit strange! But I love this recipe! The cola adds a unique flavor!

  4. 4 stars
    Tastes like a sweet barbecue! Reminds me of summer cookouts!

  5. 3 stars
    I don’t like ginger, can I leave it out? Will that ruin the dish?

  6. User avatar vinnie.jast46 says:

    5 stars
    Best chicken recipe ever!!! Definitely a keeper! 🙂

    1. User avatar Gale McGlynn says:

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe last night and my family loved it! It’s so easy and delicious. Thanks for sharing!

  7. 3 stars
    It was ok, but my chicken came out dry. Maybe I baked it too long.

  8. 3 stars
    Way to easyyy! I kinda burnt it tho…still tasty. 🍗🔥

  9. User avatar blair.gorczany says:

    5 stars
    This was surprisingly good! Who knew cola could make chicken so tasty?

  10. User avatar katrina.macgyver says:

    4 stars
    Family loved it! Will definitely make again, especially with the garlic. Yumm!

    1. User avatar walker.schinner61 says:

      5 stars
      I tried it too! So good Thanks for sharing 😊

    2. 2 stars
      Sounds nice, but cola? Really? I don’t think that combo makes sense. Can’t imagine how that would taste.

  11. User avatar GOPster says:

    5 stars
    Chicken! Yummy!!!

  12. User avatar carrol.haley94 says:

    5 stars
    This was surprisingly good! I didn’t think cola would work in a chicken recipe, but it adds a nice sweetness. Will definitely make again!

  13. User avatar gertrude.hodkiewicz says:

    4 stars
    Simple and nice! Took me longer than 40 minutes tho, my oven can be a bit slow.

  14. 3 stars
    Y’all are gonna think I’m crazy, but I added a cup of cola instead of a quarter. It was a lil too sweet but still tasty! 😋

  15. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

    3 stars
    Isn’t it just chicken in cola? My friend told me it’s like a sweet brine? Am I right?

  16. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

    1 star
    Cola chicken?? This sounds like something my grandma would make when she ran out of real drink. 😂

  17. 3 stars
    Sounds easy but what if you don’t have ketchup? Can you just use barbacue sauce instead? Asking for a friend… lol

  18. User avatar jennette.gottlieb says:

    3 stars
    Didn’t have cola, used root beer instead, whoops! Still tasted nice tho.

    1. User avatar Dian Schneider II says:

      3 stars
      Cola or root beer, it’s still chicken! I guess it would taste kinda sweet with root beer but I’m not sure. 🤔

    2. User avatar kiara.jacobs27 says:

      4 stars
      Root beer? That’s interesting! I never thought to switch it up like that. Glad it still turned out nice for you!

  19. User avatar ShanksOnePiece says:

    5 stars
    I don’t cook much so I’m really proud of how this turned out! Please, give me more easy recipes like this!

    1. User avatar jacklyn.windler says:

      5 stars
      Congrats on your cooking! This recipe is super easy and delicious. I’ll definitely share more like this!

  20. User avatar jenice.romaguera6 says:

    1 star
    This recipe is stupid. Who puts soda on chicken? What’s next, chocolate chicken?

  21. 4 stars
    Super easy to make! Just make sure you don’t skip the ginger!

  22. User avatar rueben.dickinson says:

    5 stars
    I made this last night and my hubby loved it! Even my picky eater kid ate it! Huge win! 🍗❤️

  23. User avatar Mrs. Nick Ortiz says:

    4 stars
    I made this last week, and my family loved it! Super easy and tasty.

  24. User avatar martha.wiegand33 says:

    2 stars
    This recipe is a bit weird. I mean, cola? Really? I tried it but I think I prefer my chicken plain. 🤷‍♀️

  25. 5 stars
    I was super skeptical but wow, this was surprisingly good! Who knew cola could make chicken taste so juicy? 🤯

    1. User avatar wayne.welch says:

      5 stars
      I was skeptical too, but after making it, I’m a believer! The flavor is just unreal. 🤤

    2. User avatar halflife4 says:

      3 stars
      Seriously? Cola in chicken? Sounds weird, but maybe I’ll give it a try. 🤔

  26. User avatar Feral Falmer says:

    5 stars
    Perfect! I had all ingredients at home already. Who needs takeout when you got this! 10/10 would recommend!

  27. User avatar tanya.romaguera4 says:

    5 stars
    This looks absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try it tonight.

    1. 2 stars
      Cola in chicken? That sounds weird. I dunno if I would ever try that. 🤔

    2. User avatar herbert.dubuque39 says:

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe last week and it was a hit! The cola really adds a unique flavor. So good!

  28. User avatar devon.fadel14 says:

    5 stars
    5 stars! This recipe is a keeper. My friends asked for the recipe!

    1. User avatar olin.simonis36 says:

      5 stars
      Absolutely love this! I made it last night and my family couldn’t get enough. Thanks for sharing!

    2. User avatar dominique.rodriguez23 says:

      2 stars
      I dunno, cola in chicken? Sounds weird to me. Does it really taste good?

  29. 4 stars
    So easy and delicious! Perfect for a quick dinner. The kids loved it too! I will def make this again.

  30. User avatar Lyla Larkin I says:

    4 stars
    Super easy to make! I used diet cola because it’s what I had and it turned out fine. My kids totally loved it!

  31. 2 stars
    Okay, but can someone explain why anyone would put soda on meat? That’s bizarre!

    1. User avatar Renetta Nienow MD says:

      2 stars
      Sounds strange tbh. I’d rather use spices than some fizzy drink. Can’t imagine it tasting good.

    2. User avatar jovita.blick97 says:

      5 stars
      I used to think that too, but the cola actually tenderizes the meat and adds a unique sweetness! You’ve gotta try it!

  32. 5 stars
    Yum! Just made it! It was finger-licking good!

  33. 1 star
    Not a fan of the taste. The sweetness is just too much for me. Sorry.

  34. User avatar precious.renner75 says:

    5 stars
    Wow, this cola chicken is a game changer! So juicy and flavorful.

  35. User avatar kennith.gusikowski29 says:

    3 stars
    It was okay… I think my oven aint work right. Took longer to bake.

  36. User avatar louis.mcdermott says:

    2 stars
    Sounds weird! Coca-cola on chicken? Idk about that! Gonna stick with my BBQ sauce.

    1. User avatar hermine.dibbert19 says:

      5 stars
      I was skeptical too, but trust me, the cola adds a sweet tang you wouldn’t expect! Give it a shot!

  37. 3 stars
    I dunno about this combination. Seems like it could be a flop? I might try it but only if I have nothing else to cook.

  38. User avatar reva.walter says:

    5 stars
    Super easy and my kids loved it! Will add more garlic next time.

  39. User avatar ArabianNights says:

    5 stars
    I used diet cola and it was still amazing. Highly recommend!

  40. User avatar samuel.boyer says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical about using cola, but it turned out surprisingly good. Will make again!

    1. User avatar Madam MeowMeow says:

      5 stars
      Glad you liked it! Cola really does add a sweet flavor to chicken. I never would have thought it would work.

    2. User avatar ian.kovacek1 says:

      2 stars
      I don’t know about this recipe, sounds kinda weird. Like, who puts soda on chicken? 🤔

  41. 1 star
    Cola? Really? I thought it was only for mixing with rum… Interesting!

  42. 5 stars
    Wow just wow! This dish made me feel like a chef. Didn’t even need a fancy restaurant. Best meal ever!

    1. User avatar mauro.okon88 says:

      2 stars
      Really? Cola in chicken? Sounds kinda weird… I ain’t sure about that!

    2. User avatar edgardo.cassin55 says:

      5 stars
      This sounds amazing! I’m gonna try it this weekend! Thanks for sharing your experience!

  43. User avatar jacob.gottlieb says:

    5 stars
    Loved every bite! Will try with diet cola next time for health. 👍🥰

  44. User avatar joellen.rau says:

    2 stars
    Ketchup and soy sauce together? I don’t think that sounds good. Just stick to BBQ!

  45. User avatar reginald.batz says:

    2 stars
    Whoa, cola in chicken? Sounds strange. Are you sure this will taste good?

3.63 from 67 votes
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