This recipe for Coca Cola chicken is moist, tender, and juicy! It’s coated in a thick, sweet, and tangy sauce that just can’t be beat.
Both flavor and consistency are absolutely spot on.
You will not believe how ridiculously delicious this chicken is! If you like Coke as a drink, this dish will make you fall in love with it even more.
Here’s the best part: Coca Cola chicken could not be easier to make!
Just dump all the ingredients in a baking dish, pop it in the oven, and boom, it’s done! Dinner is ready in under an hour.
Is your weeknight meal rotation getting a little too boring? This chicken will surely add excitement to your dinner table.
Coca Cola Chicken
Coca Cola chicken is a super easy dish that sure hits the spot. It’s very basic and is just chicken in a sweet and tangy marinade. But the flavors are to die for!
The secret is a simple combination of Coca Cola, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and a bit of salt and pepper. Together, they create the perfect balance of flavors.
Served on a bed of rice or salad, it makes a hearty and appetizing meal that no one can say no to.
It’s celebration-worthy, yet easy enough to make on any given day. If your weeknight dinners are getting too repetitive, Coca Cola chicken is the perfect solution.
Ingredients
- Chicken – The recipe calls for wings, but you can use boneless and skinless breast, tenders, drumsticks/legs, – take your pick!
- Coca Cola – Or any carbonated drink, for that matter. Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Sprite, and Root Beer make fantastic alternatives! Diet or Zero versions work, too, but your marinade will not be as sweet.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Coke is super sweet, so you will want to balance it out with something rich and salty. Worcestershire sauce does the trick!
- Ketchup – For a thicker sauce and a tangy, tomato-y flavor contrast.
- Salt and Pepper – To taste.
Tips & Tricks
Want to ensure this recipe turns out perfectly every time? Check out these tips and tricks:
- For extra-crispy chicken. Brown the chicken before baking it for crisper chicken with a super moist and juicy interior. Simply pan-fry or grill it for 3 to 4 minutes on both sides. It’s added effort, but it’s worth it.
- Jazz up the marinade. The Coca Cola marinade is already super flavorful as it is, but you know what will make it taste even better? Herbs and spices! For an Asian twist, add ginger and scallions to the sauce. For heat, add chili pepper or paprika. Garlic, onion powder, and cumin also add a nice flavor.
- For a thicker sauce. Cook the marinade with a mixture of 1/3 cup water and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Keep stirring until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.
- Use a meat thermometer. Be sure the chicken is cooked all the way through! According to the USDA, cooked chicken has an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Store it in a timely manner. Don’t leave Coca Cola chicken at room temperature for over 2 hours. Otherwise, it will be exposed to salmonella and other harmful bacteria. Instead, store cooled chicken in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freeze it for a longer shelf-life. Place the pieces in Ziplock bags and freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in a skillet or the microwave.
What Goes Well With Homemade Coca Cola Chicken?
Coca Cola chicken is so yummy and easy, you’ll want to make it all the time. It’s a good thing it tastes great with a variety of side dishes!
As long as you pair it with different sides, you can serve it twice or even three times a week, and it will never get old!
If you want a hearty feast, pair the chicken with something starchy such as rice or mashed potatoes.
You also can’t go wrong with bread! It’s a wonderful tool for sopping up that drool-worthy sauce.
For a lighter meal, vegetables are your best bet. I’m talking grilled asparagus, green bean casserole, baked broccoli, cauliflower, and roasted Brussels sprouts.
Salad works, too! Mmm… get in my belly!
What Can I Do With Leftovers?
Coca Cola chicken is such a crowd-pleaser that it’s unlikely you’ll have any leftovers. But just in case you do, here are a few things you can do with it.
These leftover ideas are so good you might just want to have leftovers on purpose!
- Shred the chicken and use it as a taco filling. Just place it inside a taco shell and add your favorite Mexican toppings! This also works on burritos, quesadillas, and any Taco Tuesday treat.
- Want something light for lunch? Chop the chicken and top it on your salad. Its sweet and tangy flavor pairs amazing with any salad dressing. Yum!
- Need a quick grab-and-go breakfast? Place the chicken in between two pieces of your favorite bread and voila, breakfast is served.
More Chicken Recipes to Try
Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Chick-fil-A Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken Picatta
Ritz Cracker Chicken
No-Peek Chicken
Coca Cola Chicken
4
servings5
minutes50
minutes222
kcalIngredients
2 pounds chicken wings (or 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves)
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup ketchup
1 cup Coca-Cola or any cola-flavored carbonated drink
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the chicken in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a medium bowl, stir together Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and Coke until well combined. Pour the mixture over the chicken. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 40 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink. Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness. Cooked chicken has an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Enjoy!
Notes
- For crispy wings, bake them at 400°F for about 40 minutes, flipping halfway. When they’re roasted, warm the sauce ingredients in a large skillet and toss the wings into the skillet.
Absolutely love your recipes. Tasty and a family pleaser. Glad I came across your sight.
Thanks so much, Amy!
So happy you’re enjoying the recipes 🙂
Can this be made in a crockpot?
I’ve never made this recipe in a Crockpot, Connie, but I did a little research. It seems like you should be able to make it in a Crockpot without trouble. Keep the ingredients the same, and follow these steps:
1. Season the chicken, and place it in the bottom of the Crockpot in a single layer.
2. Combine the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and cola in a bowl. Mix well, then pour the mixture over the chicken in the crockpot.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
4. Once done, you can serve the chicken breasts whole with the cola sauce spooned on top. Or shred the chicken and mix it back into the sauce before serving.
Hope that helps! If you make it, let me know how it turns out please!
I have cooked several of these recipes that are emailed to me daily and shared your site with others. The recipe I love the most is the Cheesecake Factory Chicken Pasta. It was a big hit. Gave some to a neighbor and she loved it asking for recipe. Thank you for all the recipes.
Hi Terri!
So happy you’re enjoying the recipes 🙂
The Cheesecake Factory Chicken Pasta is one of my faves too!!
Thanks for the recipe.
Can I substitute chicken with meat and do like shredded beef tacos?
Hi, Mignone!
Yes! I think you could easily swap chuck roast in for the chicken to make shredded beef tacos.
Here’s how I’d adapt the recipe:
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (instead of 350).
2. Season the chuck roast generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
3. Combine Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, Coca-Cola, and taco seasoning (if using) in a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven. Mix well.
4. Place the seasoned chuck roast in the pot and spoon some of the sauce over the top.
5. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place it in the preheated oven. Cook for about 3-4 hours, or until the meat is very tender and easily shreds with a fork.
6. Once done, remove the roast from the pot and shred it using two forks.
7. Return the shredded beef to the pot and mix it with the remaining sauce.
Serve, as you said, in shells with your favorite toppings! 🙂
Hope that works!