Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (2024)

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Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (1)

by: Judy

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You don’t hear many murmurs about Coca Cola Chicken Wings in the States these days, but it was all the rage among Asians in the early 1990s. These days, when I sit down to watch my trashy Chinese soap operas, they still write in scenarios of kids requesting Coca Cola Chicken Wings from their parents in intense anticipation of a yummy meal–it’s definitely a reward and incentive!

I tried to find some fun facts about this dish, like who invented it, but I think the jury is still out. Some of the (obvious and not that helpful) contenders cited are the Chinese, the Taiwanese, and the Americans. Provenance aside, one thing that I’m sure of is that these wings are finger-lickin’ good, and I do not use that term lightly.

But you’ve seen the photos, so you knew that.

Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (3)

Perhaps more important is the elephant in the room–we all know that soda is not good for your health. Under normal circ*mstances, soda is not found in my household at any time. Think of these Coca Cola Chicken Wings as a once-in-a-while treat–kind of like fried chicken or hotdogs. Moreover, this is not an endorsem*nt for Coca-Cola! Any cola will do in this recipe.

So if you were born after the 90’s (or don’t remember much from the 90’s), think of this recipe as a piece of history. Invite a bunch of friends and give this recipe a try so you can see what all the hoopla is about AND save yourself from taking down a batch of Coca-Cola Chicken Wings all by yourself.

Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (4)

Coca Cola Chicken Wings: Recipe Instructions

Wash and clean the chicken wings. Cut the wings at the joint, and pat the chickendry with a paper towel.

Pre-heat the wok until it starts to smoke. Add the oil, and spread it around to coat the bottom of the wok. Now add the ginger and the chicken wings. Spread out the wing pieces in a single layer, and lightly brown them for a few minutes on each side. The wok should be over high heat.

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Now add the cola…

Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (6)

And the Shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and (if using), the dried orange peel and cinnamon stick.

Bring it to a boil, cover the lid, and turn down the heat to medium.

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Let simmer for 12-15 minutes–until the sauce is almost dry (though there shouldstill bea small pool of sauce at the bottom of the wok). Stir the wings, and add salt to taste.

Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (9)

Now turn up the heat, and quickly stir the wings until the sauce coats each piece. Serve!

Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (10)
Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (11)
Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (12)
Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (13)

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4.36 from 17 votes

Coca Cola Chicken Wings

You don’t hear many murmurs about Coca Cola Chicken Wings in the States these days, but it was all the rage among Asians in the early 1990s! They're a once-in-a-while delicious treat.

by: Judy

Course:Chicken

Cuisine:Chinese

Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (14)

serves: 8

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook: 25 minutes minutes

Total: 40 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken wings (900g)
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 3 slices ginger
  • 1 can cola (regular, not diet)
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 1 piece of dried orange peel (optional)
  • 1 small cinnamon stick (optional)
  • Salt (to taste)

Instructions

  • Wash and clean the chicken wings. Cut the wings at the joint, and pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.

  • Pre-heat the wok until it starts to smoke. Add the oil, and spread it around to coat the bottom of the wok. Now add the ginger and the chicken wings. Spread out the wing pieces in a single layer, and lightly brown them for a few minutes on each side. The wok should be over high heat.

  • Now add the cola, Shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and (if using), the orange peel and cinnamon stick. Bring it to a boil, cover the lid, and turn down the heat to medium. Let simmer for 12-15 minutes–until the sauce is almost dry (though there should still be a small pool of sauce at the bottom of the wok). Stir the wings, and add salt to taste.

  • Now turn up the heat, and quickly stir the wings until the sauce coats each piece. Serve!

nutrition facts

Calories: 190kcal (10%) Carbohydrates: 5g (2%) Protein: 12g (24%) Fat: 13g (20%) Saturated Fat: 3g (15%) Cholesterol: 47mg (16%) Sodium: 569mg (24%) Potassium: 110mg (3%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 4g (4%) Vitamin A: 90IU (2%) Vitamin C: 0.4mg Calcium: 7mg (1%) Iron: 0.8mg (4%)

nutritional info disclaimer

TheWoksofLife.com is written and produced for informational purposes only. While we do our best to provide nutritional information as a general guideline to our readers, we are not certified nutritionists, and the values provided should be considered estimates. Factors such as brands purchased, natural variations in fresh ingredients, etc. will change the nutritional information in any recipe. Various online calculators also provide different results, depending on their sources. To obtain accurate nutritional information for a recipe, use your preferred nutrition calculator to determine nutritional information with the actual ingredients and quantities used.

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Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (19)

About Judy

Judy is the mom of The Woks of Life family. Born in Shanghai, she arrived in the U.S. at age 16. Fluent in both English and three separate Chinese dialects, she's our professional menu translator when we're eating our way through China. Dedicated to preserving disappearing recipes and traditions, her specialty is all things traditional, from mooncakes to home-style stir-fries.

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Coca Cola Chicken Wings Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why add co*ke to wings? ›

With its hefty 39 grams of sugar per can, Coca-Cola lends plenty of sweetness in liquid form and contributes to the wings' dark, reddish sheen. “Chicken wings have a lot of collagen, and when you mix collagen with sugar and it's sticky, it's just really good,” Wong says.

What is the origin of Coca-Cola chicken wings? ›

According to one, a cook in Jinan, Shandong accidentally tipped over a can of Coca-Cola into a pot of braised chicken wings. He discovered the unique taste of cola with chicken and soy sauce, and soon it became popular. In another story, cola chicken was already made in Western countries with tomato sauce.

Why soak chicken wings in water and baking soda? ›

Here's why it works. Baking soda is alkaline, so it raises the pH level of chicken skin, breaking down the peptide bonds and jumpstarting the browning process, meaning the wings got browner and crispier faster than they would on their own.

Why do people soak chicken in co*ke? ›

Baking the chicken in the cola marinade makes it ultra-tender and moist, and it's especially good for chicken thighs, drumsticks and chicken wings. The thick co*ke sauce tenderizes the meat, which makes it mouthwateringly succulent and juicy.

Why do people cook chicken in co*ke? ›

Your guests will never guess that the secret ingredient is coca-cola! The sweetness from the co*ke perfectly balances the saltiness of the soy sauce. The sugar from the co*ke also helps the glaze become thick, therefore sticking to the chicken better.

Does KFC still do cola wings? ›

Feb 21, 2023

In 2019, KFC took this classic flavour combo to the next level with their limited-release Cola BBQ Wicked Wings. Ever since the special edition chicken made its brief debut, it's become a highly requested cult favourite. Now fried fans can rejoice – the wings are officially back for another limited run.

Does KFC use Coca-Cola? ›

KFC serves a selection of soft drinks, including popular carbonated options like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, and more. You can often choose from various sizes, such as small, medium, and large.

Why did KFC get rid of wings? ›

Yahoo Finance reported that KFC's U.S. director Brittany Wilson said removing those items is aimed toward simplifying the menu toward a goal to increase efficiency, make it easier to place an order and focus on innovation.

Can you marinate meat in co*ke? ›

Directions. Combine cola, oil and steak seasoning in a large resealable plastic bag. Add steaks and onion. Marinate in refrigerator, at least 30 minutes.

How long does co*ke chicken last? ›

Once you've put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours. If you allow any left overs to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Diet co*ke / Pepsi Max Chicken in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.

How to use Coca-Cola in cooking? ›

What you should (and should not) cook with Coca-Cola
  1. Do: Use it as a braising liquid.
  2. Do: Use it in savory marinades.
  3. (But) Don't: Let meat marinate too long.
  4. Do: Use it to glaze chicken wings.
  5. Don't: Use it as a substitute in baking.
  6. Do: Use it in pecan pie.
  7. Don't: Put it in doughnuts (do put it on them)
Jul 22, 2021

What is the secret ingredient to crispy wings? ›

Make the crispiest chicken wings with this one secret ingredient: baking powder. Baking powder is widely used for its leavening power, giving baked goods volume and lighter textures.

Do I have to rinse baking soda off chicken? ›

Just as you would with dry brining, rinse your meat until it's (mostly) free of all the baking soda.

Do you rinse chicken after soaking in baking soda? ›

Allow the meat to soak in the baking soda solution for 15 minutes. Remove the meat from the liquid and briefly rinse the meat in plain water to strip off the baking soda solution (or as much of it as possible). Cook as desired.

What does Coca-Cola do in cooking? ›

Top Tips When Cooking with Coca Cola:

This fizzy drink's acidity level is high, so it also acts as a fantastic meat tenderiser. Most effective meat marinades include some type of citrus or vinegar acid, to break down some of the proteins in the meat. So, co*ke does the same.

What does co*ke do to spicy food? ›

When it comes to cooling down after eating something spicy, there are certain foods and drinks that you should avoid. For instance, carbonated drinks like soda or beer will only intensify the heat in your mouth. Some will argue that those can help, but there isn't any science behind it.

What does co*ke do to meat? ›

Its sweet acidity can help to tenderize meat, making it an ideal addition for a long slow brine.

What does cola do for meat? ›

Cola's high acidity and caramel flavor makes a surprisingly good meat tenderizer. Cola typically has a pH of about 2.7—for comparison, lemon juice has a pH of 2—making it acidic enough to break down some proteins without dissolving your meat.

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