Diet Cola Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Diet cola chicken is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken thighs with a tangy, slightly sweet sauce. Using diet cola keeps the recipe lighter while still delivering rich taste and a delicious glaze perfect for serving over rice or pasta.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 640g boneless and skinless chicken thighs
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 300ml chicken stock
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks
• 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp light brown soft sugar
• ½ tsp mustard powder
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tbsp tomato purée
• 330ml diet cola
• 2 tbsp reduced-salt-and-sugar ketchup
• 2 spring onions, trimmed and finely sliced

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick saucepan over high heat. Season the chicken thighs, then brown them all over for 4-5 minutes. Remove the chicken with tongs and set aside on a plate.
2. Step 2: Lower the heat and add the chopped onion to the pan. Cook for 8-10 minutes until softened, adding a splash of chicken stock if needed to prevent burning.
3. Step 3: Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add the yellow pepper chunks.
4. Step 4: Mix in the dried oregano, light brown sugar, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, tomato purée, diet cola, remaining chicken stock, and ketchup. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Step 5: Reduce the heat to low, return the chicken to the pan, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
6. Step 6: Increase the heat and let the sauce bubble gently for 10 minutes until it thickens slightly.
7. Step 7: Serve the chicken and sauce sprinkled with spring onions over rice or pasta.

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth, add a splash of soy sauce or smoked paprika to the sauce.
• Use chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat, but reduce cooking time to avoid drying out.
• Add other vegetables like mushrooms or courgettes for more variety.
• If you don’t have diet cola, any cola will work, but adjust sugar quantities to taste.

Storage

Store leftover diet cola chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until steaming hot. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts for thighs. Because breasts are leaner, reduce the simmering time slightly to keep the chicken moist and tender.

Is diet cola necessary for the recipe?

Diet cola helps keep the dish lower in sugar while still imparting sweetness and acidity to the sauce. However, you can use regular cola if preferred, just consider reducing added sugar accordingly.

Diet Cola Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 71 reviews

• Author: Jack
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Salt

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Description

This Diet Cola Chicken recipe offers a flavorful and healthier twist on classic cola chicken, using diet cola to reduce sugar content while delivering a rich, tangy sauce. Tender chicken thighs are browned and simmered with vibrant peppers, garlic, and a blend of seasonings before being cooked in a zesty diet cola-based sauce, making it a perfect easy weeknight meal served over rice or pasta.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Vegetables

• 640g boneless and skinless chicken thighs
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks
• 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks
• 2 spring onions, trimmed and finely sliced

Liquids and Sauces

• 300ml chicken stock
• 330ml diet cola
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tbsp tomato purée
• 2 tbsp reduced-salt-and-sugar ketchup

Seasonings and Fats

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp light brown soft sugar
• ½ tsp mustard powder

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Instructions

1. Brown the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick saucepan over high heat. Season the chicken thighs and brown them all over for 4-5 minutes until they develop a golden crust. Remove the chicken with tongs and set aside on a plate.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: Lower the heat to medium, add the finely chopped onion to the pan, and cook for 8-10 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock if the mixture starts to stick or dry out. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, then add the yellow pepper chunks and continue cooking briefly.
3. Add Seasonings and Liquids: Stir in the dried oregano, light brown sugar, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, tomato purée, diet cola, the remaining chicken stock, and reduced-salt-and-sugar ketchup to the pan. Mix everything well to combine.
4. Simmer the Chicken: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Return the browned chicken thighs to the pan, cover, and simmer gently for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
5. Reduce the Sauce: Increase the heat to medium-high and let the sauce bubble for another 10 minutes uncovered, allowing it to reduce and thicken slightly to a rich consistency.
6. Serve: Sprinkle the sliced spring onions over the chicken and serve the dish hot, ideally accompanied by steamed rice or pasta to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Notes

• Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful meat that cooks evenly.
• Make sure to brown the chicken properly to develop deeper flavor before simmering.
• Add a splash of chicken stock during the onion sauté to prevent sticking and enhance moisture.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, consider adding a pinch of chili flakes with the oregano.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with plain steamed rice or buttered pasta to complement the tangy sauce.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: British

Keywords: Diet cola chicken, healthy chicken recipe, low sugar chicken, easy chicken dinner, stovetop chicken, cola chicken sauce