Description
This Diet Coke Chicken recipe is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken thighs with a smoky, slightly sweet sauce made from Diet Coke, tomato paste, and spices. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, the chicken is cooked on the stovetop until juicy and glazed, then garnished with fresh parsley for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 6 ounces can of tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 12 ounces can of Diet Coke
Chicken
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the chicken broth, tomato paste, smoked paprika, kosher salt, cracked black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Whisk all these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Diet Coke: Pour the 12-ounce can of Diet Coke into the bowl with the sauce mixture and whisk again until thoroughly blended, creating the unique cooking liquid and glaze for the chicken.
- Cook Chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken thighs in a 10 to 12-inch deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange them evenly to get a good sear and even cooking.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour the Diet Coke sauce mixture over the chicken thighs in the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 20 minutes, turning the chicken every 7-8 minutes to ensure they cook evenly and absorb the flavors.
- Reduce Sauce: After 20 minutes, remove the lid and continue cooking the chicken uncovered for an additional 8-10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and glaze the chicken beautifully. Once the sauce has reached a thick consistency and the chicken is cooked through, remove the skillet from heat.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley over the chicken for a fresh, herby garnish. Serve the pieces hot with your choice of sides such as cooked rice or vegetables.
Notes
- To Store: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze: Freeze the cooked Diet Coke chicken for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Variations: Use regular cola instead of Diet Coke if you prefer, but this will increase calories due to sugar.
- Alternative Cooking: You can also cook this dish in a slow cooker on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours.
- Substitutions: Substitute 1 cup of ketchup for the chicken broth and tomato paste for a different flavor profile.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve over cooked rice or with cooked mixed vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 chicken thighs with sauce (~230g)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
