This Sweet and Sour Chicken, also known as Coca-Cola Chicken, is a delightful dish that combines savory, tangy, and a touch of sweetness in every bite. It’s simple, quick, and absolutely delicious. The secret ingredient Diet Coke helps create a sticky, rich sauce that’s both unique and mouthwatering. I love how it turns the chicken into something extraordinary with just a few basic ingredients. You can serve it with rice, noodles, or even on its own. This recipe is a family favorite, and I’m sure it’ll become one of yours too! It serves two people, perfect for a cozy dinner.
Method
Fry the Base
Begin by heating some oil in a frying pan or wok over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced shallots, red pepper, and chicken pieces to the pan. Stir the ingredients occasionally to ensure they cook evenly. Fry them until the chicken is fully cooked through, and the shallots are soft and slightly golden. This step should take about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to stir the ingredients regularly to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Add Flavor
After the chicken is cooked and the shallots have softened, it’s time to infuse the dish with flavor. Add the garlic and ginger paste into the pan with the chicken, shallots, and red pepper. Stir everything together for 1-2 minutes until the garlic and ginger release their aromatic fragrance and blend with the other ingredients. This step adds depth to the dish, ensuring the base flavors are rich and flavorful.
Bring on the Sauce
Once the garlic and ginger have cooked, it’s time to bring in the sauce ingredients. Stir in the tomato purée, soy sauce, paprika, and Diet Coke. Make sure to mix everything together well to create a smooth, flavorful base. The Diet Coke will help to form the signature sticky sauce, so be sure to stir it evenly throughout. After that, crumble in the veg stock cube and stir it into the sauce mixture. This will enhance the flavor profile, adding a savory depth to the sauce.
Simmer to Perfection
Lower the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 15 minutes. During this time, the sauce will begin to thicken and reduce, coating the chicken with a sticky, glossy texture. Stir occasionally to ensure the sauce doesn’t burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. You’ll know the dish is done when the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon and clings to the chicken.
Finish Up
Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, sprinkle the sesame seeds over the chicken for added texture and flavor. The sesame seeds will give a lovely crunch and a hint of nuttiness that balances the sweetness and savory flavors of the dish. Give everything a final stir, ensuring the sesame seeds are well-distributed, then remove the pan from the heat.
Necessary Tools
- Frying pan or wok
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Knife and chopping board
- Measuring spoons
- Small bowl for crumbling the stock cube
- Serving plates
Sweet ‘n’ Sour Chicken (AKA Coca-Cola Chicken!)
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
400g (2 large) chicken breasts, diced
2-3 shallots, diced
1 red pepper, cut into strips
2 tbsp garlic + ginger paste (I love using @verylazyfooduk)
2 tbsp tomato purée
2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp paprika
1 300ml can of Diet Coke
1 veg stock cube
1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
Directions
- Fry the base Start by heating some oil in a frying pan. Add the diced shallots, red pepper, and chicken pieces, and fry them until the chicken is cooked through. Don’t forget to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add flavor Once the chicken is golden and cooked, add the garlic and ginger paste. Stir everything together until it becomes fragrant.
- Bring on the sauce Stir in the tomato purée, soy sauce, paprika, and Diet Coke. Crumble in the veg stock cube for extra depth of flavor.
- Simmer to perfection Let everything simmer for about 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens and becomes sticky. You’ll know it’s done when it coats the chicken beautifully.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the chicken Make sure the chicken is cooked through but not overdone. Overcooking can make it dry, so keep an eye on it while it’s frying.
- Adjust the sauce thickness If you find the sauce isn’t thickening as you’d like, don’t hesitate to turn up the heat slightly or let it simmer a bit longer. Just be cautious not to burn it.
- Stir often While simmering the sauce, be sure to stir regularly so the sugar from the Diet Coke doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan and burn.
- Be careful with salt Since we’re using soy sauce and a stock cube, the dish can get salty quickly. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serving Suggestions
For the perfect meal, I love serving this Sweet ‘n’ Sour Chicken with a nest of soft noodles or steamed rice. You can even add some peas, like I did, for an extra veggie boost. This dish also pairs well with a light salad or stir-fried veggies for a more balanced plate. Want to go all out? Add a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a pop of freshness.
Fun Fact
Did you know that Coca-Cola can be used in cooking? It’s often used in marinades and sauces, especially in Asian-inspired dishes. The carbonation helps tenderize the meat, and the sugar in the soda gives sauces a lovely caramelized finish. Who knew soda could be so useful in the kitchen?
Conclusion
This Sweet and Sour Chicken is a deliciously easy dish that will become your go-to for busy weeknights. With its bold flavors and minimal prep, you’ll have a meal that’s both comforting and fun to make. I love how the Diet Coke transforms this simple dish into something exciting and sticky every bite is full of flavor. Give it a try, and I’m sure it’ll become a new favorite in your household too!
