You never thought you’d see Coca-Cola in a recipe on my blog, did you? To be honest, neither did I and frankly, John was appalled. He couldn’t believe I was cooking with “crap.” (This from a man who drinks crap every week but never mind.)
For years – at least 30 – I’ve seen people cooking with soft drinks and thought it was nuts. Why would anyone put all those preservatives and sugar in their cooking? After browsing some Pinterest chicken ideas, I saw so many that were done with Coke that it was time for me to break tradition and give it a try.
“Are you sure,” John said.
“So what, if it’s crap, neither one of us is going to waste away,” I mumbled back. We could both stand to miss a few meals so if it was disgusting, no biggie. I’d know.
There were a lot of recipes calling for the chicken to be cooked in the slow cooker but it was too late when I decided. I found several calling for the chicken to be cooked in a frying pan and then sauced and went with a combination of those.
As you do, I kept poking my finger in the sauce and adding some of this and some of that and you know what? It wasn’t bad at all.
I yelled for John to come and help me get it on the table. His job is to plate up for his dad while I take photos. Rob complains that we always have to wait for meals while I photograph and dinner is cold. (nothing new there for a food blogger, right?) We’ve come up with a plan that John plates up for Rob, I shoot the photos and then we all eat together. We all still finish at the same time.
Have you tried cooking with soft drinks? Is it something you do often or would do again? I saw a recipe for pork cooked in root beer and I mentioned it to John who said, “Don’t you dare!” heh
- 4 chicken breasts, sliced in half or a dozen chicken tenders
- 12 ounces Coca-Cola (the sugar variety)
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup honey barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Prepare chicken by cutting each breast in half and pounding just a bit with a mallet or rolling pin. This helps to have the chicken all the same size. (If using tenders, you're fine)
- In a frying pan on medium high add the oil and the chicken in batches and cook until the chicken is brown all over.
- Add the remaining ingredients into a sauce pan on medium heat and mix well to combine.
- Add the chicken to the sauce and cook for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
I’ve seen quite a few recipes that use soft drinks (Coke, primarily) and although they do give me pause, when you think about it, it’s not that big a deal. Mrs K R makes a chocolate cake with Coke that’s reasonably decent (and she’s working on making it great). Still, I haven’t made a dish with it. The chicken looks quite good, and I’ll bet the root beer adds a ton of flavor to that pork dish you have in mind. Fun recipe. Oh, and I know so well how cold food can get while to take “just one more” photo!
G’day Maureen and thanks for the chuckles today (re the photographing lol) as have never cooked or baked before with Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero etc, true!
Never cooked or baked with root beer, but did so a slow cooked (yum) Stephanie O’Deas Sloppy Joes recipes…so guess that counts…glad the recipe worked for you all and you got the photo to share too!
Cheers! Joanne
I hadn’t either as it just didn’t seem like real cooking – more like cheating and filled with chemicals. 🙂
This intrigues me so much that I can’t not make it!
LOL let me know how it goes
Maureen,
I posted a fabulous recipe for pork short ribs braised in root beer that I got a few years back from a chef at at the Enchantment Resort in Sedona. It was so incredibly good. And , of course, many here in So Cal marinate and cook their carnitas in Coke, so I had to break down and try it a couple of years back.
Anything from Sedona would have an ‘other world’ aspect to it, right? 🙂 I will have to search and find your recipe and give it a try. In sarsaparilla because there’s no such thing as root beer in Australia unless I can find it in a touristy spot.
I have never cooked with soft drinks before but I am so intrigued each time I see a recipe using one. I have same thoughts that you had, before you took your chance with coca cola. Seeing your post, I want to take the plunge too! Soon I guess 🙂
If you give soft drinks a try, be sure to let me know what you chose to make 🙂
I’ve used coke — and an ample amount of bourbon — to roast a ham and the result is very good. I wasn’t at all sure about it that first time, though. In fact I baked one for myself alone before I baked another for guests. After that experience, I’m more than willing to give this chicken a try, especially if you’re recommending it. Thanks, Maureen.
Yeah it was okay. It’s not something I would save up to serve to the pope but it was a good meal.
It doesn’t bother John but Rob is a very slow eater and I suppose if he gets it lukewarm by the time he’s finished it’s stone cold. I might try that root beer recipe anyway. All we can get here is sarsaparilla which is the same as root beer but in a different dress.
A friend of mine made an exquisite roast slow-cooked in coke and coffee and a few other things and it was fantastic. 🙂
That doesn’t sound too bad, Krista!
Oh, so funny after my recent comment on your potato post! I guess life is for adventures and coca cola with chicken is definitely adventurous 🙂
Me? Adventurous? You’d never see me in astronaut school. 🙂 It’s also taken me 30 years to try soft drink in cooking. LOL
Coke is always the Love of Youngsters creating strong feeling of bond with Food & Diet.
I’ve never tried a soda recipe! I’m not opposed… just lazy! Honestly, most things can kill you nowadays, so what’s a little Coca-Cola gunna do?
Lately, most things on my blog are baked, so I can photograph a little more leisurely, and without anyone hovering. However, in the days of yore, 2.0 said he always knew when dinner was almost ready because he could hear the click-click-clicking of my camera… like a dinner bell!
I’m really lucky, there have only been a few times that John has said, “I’M STARVING!!! IS IT GOING TO BE MUCH LONGER?”
‘It wasn’t bad at all’……hmmm not entirely convinced! I was hoping you would say it was orgasmic 😉
It was good, Lisa, and if I’d added all the bits to the sauce myself I might have called it orgasmic but seriously, a can of Coke? LOL
Well..I must say this chicken looks delicious. An intriguing recipe 🙂 ela
That’s what I thought, Ela. Thanks a lot for visiting and leaving a comment!
Now I understand why you keep everyone waiting for the dinner while you’re taking photos of the dishes. How do you manage to find the perspective to make it look so appetizing? I loved the recipe and don’t mind the unhealthy coke as one of its components at all.
Hi Diane, I have no idea. It’s all trial and error for me. One day I’ll get the hang of this photographing food. I have a good friend who’s a food photographer and I try to steal ideas from him.
i haven’t had this in years! Thanks for the memories and I am going to make it for my husband who has probably never had it! Hope you had a great thanksgiving
We did have a wonderful dinner for Thanksgiving. We invited our closest neighbors and we had family here and one other American. It was great.
Hummmmm… that recipe from Sedona had me dreaming… one of my favorite spots in the world, and I bet the short ribs tasted great!
I never cooked with soft drinks, I wonder what would be Phil’s reaction.. he might think I just lost it 😉
John couldn’t believe I was doing it. I love Sedona too. The colors, the shapes and the whole vibe of the place is peaceful.
I can imagine how good it must be, why shouldn’t we be a little more adventurous right?..
I’ve used cola in cakes and it is awesome.
Yes, I’ve had quite a few friends use coke in cakes. I’m just catching on.
Food is supposed to be hot? Who knew???? I have eaten very few really hot dishes since I started my blog.
I have a good baked bean recipe made with RC Cola. Not bad. A bit runny. But other wise good.
The coke chicken looks good and certainly is quick & easy.
Every food blogger shares the same story, Roberta 🙂
Using coke in the sauce doesn’t sound too far out there. I had images of using the soft drink in a braise of some sort. At least it was edible. I hope you can say the same thing about the scallion pancakes I’m working on downstairs while I take a quick break to check my mail. 🙂
Scallion pancakes sound pretty good, especially if I made them tiny and topped them with goodies as an appetizer. 🙂
I’m afraid that unlike blinis you can only make them in one set size. You can cut them into wedges and top them that way though they’re more ‘homey’ than one would serve as appetizers.
I’m pretty homey in my entertaining 🙂
Never cooked with any kind of soda/soft drinks, glad you were happy with the results. Your recipe sure is an easy one for week night meal and only a few ingredients.
It was easy and quick and everyone cleaned their plates. 🙂
I’ve never cooked with soda, but definitely have seen recipes using it. I’ve always wondered if you get the soda taste in it. I can see though that it adds to the caramelizing. I really never even had soda in the house, but the next time I do, I’m going to have to try it out!!
I sent John to the store to buy one bottle for this recipe. 🙂
My mother used to cook Coca-Cola chicken when I was growing up – as a stew, I think. I honestly have no memory of what it tasted like! Yours looks very appealing! Have you ever stuck a can of beer up the rear of a chook and barbequed it? Apparently that’s quite good too.. 🙂
Hi Maureen, I’ve seen coca cola ham… but not chicken. Sounds interesting. LOL to Celia’s comment above. : )
It WAS interesting, Liz. 🙂
Yum! My mom made chicken like this when I was growing up. Looks great!
Yay, someone who’s tried it! Thanks a lot for coming by, Laura!
I like anything that is quick and simple on week nights. However if I have real Coke in the house, it won’t last. I do admit to really liking it, so I don’t keep it around! My mom used to use coke in brisket and cherry coke in baked apples. Hey, they were good!
We don’t keep it around and I could live without it but I’d probably make this again. 🙂
I remember the first time I tried ham cooked in coke how amazed I was. So good!
Never thought to try it with chicken though, sounds delicious!
{ Teffys Perks Blog } X
Okay maybe I need to try ham. 🙂
Wow it does seem very easy! I’d have to agree with you on the ‘crap’ part though. I think I’d be hesitant too.
If I had a food stylist to help me dinner would be on the table a lot faster.
Love the Christmas background.
LOL thanks. I kept thinking of Coke chemicals as I ate the chicken.
Haha, you need to try the pork cooked in root beer and don’t mention a word till AFTER they eat it. They will be sold! 🙂 And I have to say you are way, way faster than we are with your photography. Our dinner would be stone cold by the time we finished.
That’s because your photos are so much better than mine. If mine were close to yours, we’d be thin. 🙂
What a nifty sounding sauce!
I’m in the hesitant corner with this one – I can’t remember the last time we had a can of coke or similar in the house. I like the sound of ham cooked in coke though. I think I’d be happy to eat it but not to cook it!
I know, I know. I stepped into the naughty corner on this one. 🙂
I’ve never cooked with soda but I had a friend who cooked her Easter ham with ginger ale and it was delicious.
I love this, except I’m a tried and true Pepsi girl myself. I love cooking with pop. It’s like a sickness at this point. If I can figure out a way to jam some soda in something I’m a happy girl.
You need to tell John that Root Beer Pulled Pork is out of this world. I’ve made it like 6 times now and my family goes bonkers for it. I do a Pepsi version too. And one with Root Beer and Chipotle. I have problems Maureen, serious problems.
Maybe I’ll just make it and not tell him. 🙂
Nicely done! This chicken looks gooood!
It was good but I kept thinking of all the ingredients on the side of the Coke can. 🙂
Hehe I have cooked a few things with soft drinks. I wrote down a recipe for a 7up cake that is supposed to be really good although I have yet to make it! 😛
I’ve heard of 7Up cake!
I have used coca cola in cupcakes and they were light and delicious. It is crap but it helps my headaches heaps. I have almost given up trying to photograph dinner at night because of the rush and stress of trying to get it done and hot food on the table in a timely manner.
Meanwhile, I am going to unsubscribe but don’t worry, I have added you on Bloglovin. I am trying to keep my emails clear but will read your posts through Bloglovin as I really love them.
No worries, Suzanne! I love to photograph during the day but with out work schedule, sometimes it’s just not possible – AND we have no daylight savings in Queensland.
I’ve never cooked with coca cola but I can see how it would make a really good sauce because really, it’s just adding the sugar with some flavouring. I think your chicken looks like it turned out really well. I’ll pin this. And that’s so funny about Rob – he certainly isn’t starving while living with you so if he has to wait a couple of minutes while you click away I’m sure no harm will come to him xx
We’ve figured it out that he can start eating while it’s hot without wrecking the photos. 🙂
I’ve cooked beef and pork ribs in cola before, but never chicken. It does look quite yummy though Maureen- v good job!
You have? wow.. I walk in the steps of greatness. All your stuff is fantastic.
Like you, I try to avoid using processed food in cooking but I’ve been seeing cola wings and other cola recipes floating around the web and it’s got me so curious! Lovely to see that it turned out so well and I may just give this a try for a little naughty break away from eating clean 🙂
Every once in a while you need to do something naughty. 🙂
This looks scrumptious! My cousin makes her Easter ham with a jug of Coke poured over it. It’s delish!
A lot of people have mentioned this. AND.. Missy… aren’t you supposed to be taking it easy? hmmm??? 🙂
Maureen, is that with regular coke or caffine free coke…….LOL. My better half drinks that awful stuff so I know he’ll love this dish! Thanks for posting it.
I used the full octane regular Coke 🙂
I’m not all that keen on it either, but I did BBQ a rack of ribs in some grape juice some time ago and it was pretty darn good. I never have coke in the house so I likely wouldn’t try it but thanks that you did. No really. 🙂
LOL John went out for ONE bottle of Coke and he was shaking his head the whole time.
I had Chinese student staying with me and they showed me a delicious recipe that used Coke to cook the chicken meat. I thought it was strange also but was pleasantly surprised 🙂 Yours looks pretty delicious as well 🙂
At least I’m not alone 🙂
Wow, love the consistency of the sauce – so syrupy! I bet the chicken was just delicious!
It was really good, Julia!
I posted a recipe for Quail in Coke and it was delicious. I am not sure why people get all holy about it …if you cook with Asian sauces they have even more nasties than a bottle of soft drink. It makes for a really delicious easy sweet and sour flavour. I am glad I dont have people waiting on what I cook. It really is very stressful.
LOL Leave it to you to make sense of the whole thing. 🙂
I’ve come across recipes with coke in it…actually bookmarked a Cola barbecue sauce recipe months back. Never made it…made a chocolate barbecue sauce instead. It wasn’t bad but wierd…I guess I prefer it in desserts:-) But this one looks fabulous..I may make it during the weekend.
I’ve seen these recipes for years but never tried it. My husband still thinks I’m nuts. 🙂
I know the thought of cola in food is not that sexy but I gotta say I love your recipe ingredients choice. I wonder how it would taste with some tamarind juice to give it a bit of a sour but balanced flavor. I think so I will try both. Thanks for the inspiration Maureen!
PS: Pepsi will do too no?
oh yeah, I suppose any cola drink would do 🙂
I cooked a ham with cola once (per Nigella Lawson)… it was interesting. I think I like your version with the bbq sauce and ketchup added to the cola.
I haven’t done a ham yet.. one day!
I’ve never tried cooking with cola, but your chicken looks very tasty!
I said I was curious and now I know. 🙂
Was so surprised as well before when an officemate of mine brought something like this for lunch, I made them also at home.
I’m obviously way behind, Raymund!