Coca Cola Chicken: the mouthwatering recipe for tender chicken

If you're in the mood to make a succulent chicken dish that takes virtually zero effort and seriously delivers in flavor, Coca-Cola chicken is perfect for you. This fast, simple homemade cola chicken recipe is sweet and savory, thanks to the Coke marinade.

Baking the chicken in the cola marinade makes it ultra-tender and moist, and it's especially good for chicken thighs, drumsticks and chicken wings. The thick Coke sauce tenderizes the meat, which makes it mouthwateringly succulent and juicy.

It is said this coke chicken recipe comes from Jinan (Shandong), when a restaurant cook accidentally poured a can of Coca-Cola over a chicken dish. This recipe was created by accident, but created a delicious dish that brings out the flavors of both main ingredients

Serve it with your favorite side dishes like roast potatoes, dinner rolls, rice, or noodles. If you're a fan of fall-off-the-bone chicken, try this easy Coca-Cola chicken tonight!

Coca Cola Chicken Ingredients

To make a basic Coca-Cola chicken, you need chicken drumsticks (you can use other cuts like chicken breast or thighs).

The recipe also calls for Coca-Cola, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt, and pepper. Either diet Coke or regular Coke will work for this recipe.

You can also mix in other ingredients like hot sauce, spices, and herbs.

How to Make Coca Cola Chicken

Making homemade Coca-Cola chicken couldn't be easier. All you need to put the chicken in a baking dish – make sure they're skin side up! Season them with your desired amount of salt and pepper.

Next, stir the cola, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl until the ingredients are combined. Cover the chicken with the sauce. Bake it for 35 to 45 minutes at 350°F, then take it out of the oven, serve it with your favorite side dishes, and tuck in!

Tips for Homemade Coca Cola Chicken Drumsticks

The chicken drumsticks are done baking when the thickest part reads 165°F on an instant-read meat thermometer.

Don't forget to baste the chicken once or twice to help tenderize the meat and allow it to soak up the flavor of the marinade.

Use regular or diet Coke to make your chicken. Not a fan of Coca-Cola? Any soda works in the marinade. Try it with Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Fanta, or even root beer.

If you want to make Coca-Cola chicken in a slow cooker, place the chicken in the crockpot, add the marinade, and cook it on high for 2 to 3 hours.

This recipe uses chicken drumsticks, but any chicken cut works. Remember wings and breasts take less time to cook.

If you like, you can add other ingredients to your cola chicken marinade. Add cayenne or hot sauce for a spicy kick, paprika, dried herbs like thyme or rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite seasoning mixes.

What to Serve with Coca Cola Chicken

The sweet, tangy flavor of Coca-Cola chicken goes great with all sorts of side dishes. Serve it over rice or noodles, or enjoy it with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables. It's great with roast potatoes or French fries, or you can eat it with a green salad.

Whatever you choose, dinner rolls or crusty bread is highly recommended so you can mop up the delicious sauce!

What to Do with Coca Cola Chicken Leftovers

Use your leftover Coca-Cola chicken in rice bowls, in tacos or quesadillas, reheated and tossed with noodles as a stir-fry, or in sandwiches.

How to Store Coca Cola Chicken

Let the chicken cool down slightly, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

You can take the meat off the bones and freeze the chicken for up to 4 months for long-term storage.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Arrange the chicken in a baking dish, skin side up.

Add salt and pepper.

In a mixing bowl, stir the cola, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce to combine.

Cover the chicken.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes.

Notes

Use a large casserole dish to bake your Coca-Cola chicken.