Coca-Cola chicken wings (可乐鸡翅, Ke Le Ji Chi) is one of my favorite childhood dishes that my mom would make occasionally as a treat. These wings are tender, juicy and coated with a sticky glossy sauce just like BBQ wings. But since most Chinese households do not have an oven, the wings are actually made on the stovetop using a braising technique.
Coca-Cola chicken wings ingredients
The ingredient list for Coca-Cola chicken wings is short. The main ingredient is a can of Coke (regular, not diet or zero sugar). Along with soy sauce and Shaoxing wine, it creates a savory and sweet brown sauce that has a caramel aroma. It is further enhanced by fresh ginger, green onion and chili pepper.
Mise en place
When you’re ready to cook, your table should have:
Soy sauceSaltShaoxing wineDried chili pepperChicken wings, pat driedGreen onion and gingerCoke
How to cook Coca-Cola chicken wings
NOTE: At first, it might seem like there is a lot of braising liquid and the liquid is really thin. But as you approach the end of cooking, the liquid will reduce very quickly and thicken up enough to coat the wings and form a glaze. You should always keep a close eye on the chicken during the last 10 minutes of cooking to prevent the sauce from burning.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my braising liquid not thicken after 20 minutes?
Depending on the type of pot you use and your heat level, you might need a longer cooking time for the liquid to evaporate enough to thicken the sauce. I used a large flat skillet and relatively high heat for the braising. If you use a dutch oven, you might need to cook for a longer time.
Can I freeze Coca-Cola chicken wings?
Yes! This dish freezes well and it is suitable for meal prep.
Is it possible to cook it with Diet Coke instead of regular Coca-Cola?
The dish uses the sugar in the Coca-Cola to thicken the sauce and create a caramelized result. The sauce won’t react the same way if using Diet Coke (or Coca-Cola Light or Coke Zero), since it only contains artificial sweetener.
How to serve Coca-Cola chicken wings
You can serve the Coca-Cola chicken wings by themselves as a main dish or appetizer, however I prefer to serve them with steamed rice for a main course. I also recommend serving a few lighter dishes such as simple veggie stir fries or salad with it, to balance out the flavor. For example:
Chinese 4-Ingredient Fried Cabbage4-Ingredient Baby Bok Choy Stir FryEasy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜)Chinese Pickled Peppers (Quick Pickled Pao Jiao)
More easy chicken dinner recipes
Chicken and Broccoli (Chinese Takeout Style)Chinese Curry ChickenAir Fryer Salt and Pepper ChickenChinese Corn Soup with Chicken (鸡蛋玉米羹)Chicken Chow Mein (鸡肉炒面)
