This Diet Coke chicken is one of those viral recipes that really got me curious. With the promise of being an easy, lower calorie dish that could fulfill all my takeout cravings, I knew I had to make my own version! I use a can of diet soda, ketchup, and a few other basic ingredients to make a sweet and sticky sauce that coats bites of chicken breast perfectly. Made on the stovetop with one pan, this cola chicken is both simple and delicious!
Coca Cola Chicken
Both my kids and my husband can’t stop talking about how delicious this Diet Coke chicken is, so I think I’ve hit the weeknight dinner jackpot! The sweet, sticky sauce is unbelievably good, and I love that it’s lower in sugars and calories compared to similar dishes.
The idea of cooking chicken in diet soda might sound strange at first, but you’ll have to trust me on this one. It tenderizes the meat, adds subtle flavor, and makes the perfect substitute for higher-calorie alternatives. Made with everyday ingredients like ketchup, rice vinegar, and some spices, this Coca Cola chicken has a tantalizing flavor that tastes just like my favorite Chinese takeout dishes!
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Make it Spicy!
This Diet Coke chicken recipe is perfectly family-friendly as it is — there’s not much spice or heat here. But if you want to spice things up, add some sliced red chili peppers or chili flakes to the diet soda mixture before adding the chicken pieces.
Diet Coke Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- 12-inch Nonstick Skillet or Wok
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces*)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 12 ounces Diet Coke (1 can**)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch (+ 1 tablespoon water; optional)
- chopped cilantro (optional garnish)
- chopped green onion (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Toss the chicken in the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, and pepper.1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ¼ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- In a bowl, whisk together the Diet Coke, ketchup, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.12 ounces Diet Coke, ¼ cup ketchup, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add in the chicken and brown on all sides for 3-4 minutes, but don’t cook through yet. Cook in batches if needed.1½ tablespoons olive oil
- Add the Diet Coke mixture to the chicken, and turn the heat up until it bubbles. Reduce to a simmer, and continue cooking for 15-20 minutes until the sauce has reduced.
- To thicken the sauce: combine the cornstarch and water to create a slurry, and stir into the chicken. Continue simmering until thickened.½ tablespoon cornstarch
- Serve with rice, garnished with chopped cilantro and chopped green onion if desired.chopped cilantro, chopped green onion
Notes
- Make it spicier by adding in some sliced red chilies, or chili flakes, into the Diet Coke mixture.
- I prefer the sauce to be thicker, so I stir in a cornstarch slurry at the end of cooking. You can skip this if you prefer a thinner sauce.
- Double the recipe and make this diet cola chicken for meal prep, and enjoy it later in the week!
- Nutritional information does not include optional garnishes
Note: Water, salt, pepper, oil, and broth are not counted as ingredients on this site.
How to Make Diet Coke Chicken Step by Step
Prep: Gather the list of ingredients for this easy cola chicken recipe. Cut 1½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
Season the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of ground paprika, ¼ teaspoon of chili powder, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper. Make sure each piece is well-coated to maximize flavor.
Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together a 12 ounce can of Diet Coke (or another soda, like Dr. Pepper), ¼ cup of ketchup, 3 tablespoons of soy and sauce, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar.
Brown the Chicken: Heat 1½ tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned cubes of chicken, and brown on all sides for 3-4 minutes. Don’t cook it all the way through yet — it will finish cooking with the cola sauce. Cook in batches if needed. If the skillet is too crowded the chicken pieces won’t brown properly.
Pour in the Sauce: Add the Diet Coke mixture to the pan with the chicken, and turn the heat up until it bubbles. Then reduce heat to a simmer, and continue cooking for 15-20 minutes; until the sauce has reduced to a glaze consistency.
Thicken the Sauce: If the sauce isn’t thick enough, combine ½ tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to make a slurry. Then stir it into the chicken, and continue simmering until thickened. The cornstarch slurry is optional. You can skip this if you prefer a thinner sauce.
Serve: I love to serve Diet cola chicken with cooked white rice (or cauliflower rice) and some fresh veggies. Garnish the finished dish with chopped cilantro and chopped green onion if desired.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Let Diet Coke chicken cool before storing in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring until warmed through. Add a bit of broth or water (or soda!) to help revive the sauce.
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