Diet Coke Chicken

This Diet Coke chicken features tender, moist chicken simmered in a sweet and sticky sauce for a dish that you’ll enjoy making over and over again.

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Table of Contents

Diet Coke Chicken Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Diet Coke Chicken Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
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This Diet Coke chicken is a tasty dairy and gluten-free recipe that makes an easy and delicious entree. Tender chicken thighs are simmered in a flavorful sauce featuring tasty soda, broth, and spices for a recipe that is sure to be a hit.

a close up shot of diet coke chicken in a pot with a wooden spoon grabbing one

Diet Coke Chicken Ingredients

Diet Coke Chicken raw ingredients that are labeled

Diet Coke and chicken have become a popular combination for those looking to enjoy something unique and delicious.

The Diet Coke provides an unexpected sweetness to the savory chicken, creating a tasty combination of flavors that even the pickiest eater will enjoy.

To make this unique and flavorful dish, you’ll need:

¾ cup of chicken broth
1 (6-ounce) can of tomato paste
2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of kosher salt
½ teaspoon of fresh cracked black pepper
⅛ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
1 (12-ounce) can of Diet Coke
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (optional garnish)

Substitutions And Additions

KETCHUP: You can substitute 1 cup ketchup for the chicken broth and tomato paste in this easy recipe.

SPICES: You can increase the cayenne pepper to ¼-½ teaspoon for a spicier version. You could also substitute ground chipotle chili peppers for the cayenne pepper.

CHICKEN: Boneless skinless chicken breasts could also be used in this recipe, although you would need to adjust the cooking time to ensure they were cooked through.

How To Make This Diet Coke Chicken Recipe

This delicious chicken recipe comes together in no time. The chicken thighs are marinated in a flavorful sauce, including tomato paste, chicken broth, Diet Coke, and seasonings.

To save time, you could even add the marinade and chicken to a bowl ahead of time and put it in the fridge until you are ready to cook.

The chicken simmers away in a pan on the stove until cooked through and ready to serve.

Follow our step-by-step instructions below to make this tasty dish.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

You can also cook the dish in the slow cooker on high for 4 hours or 6 hours on low.

STEP ONE: Add the chicken broth, tomato paste, smoked paprika, kosher salt, cracked pepper, and cayenne to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.

broth, tomato paste, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne whisked in a bowl

STEP TWO: Whisk in the Diet Coke.

STEP THREE: Add the chicken thighs to a 10 to 12-inch deep, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

PRO TIP:

When cooking the chicken, ensure that the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer.

STEP FOUR: Pour the Diet Coke mixture over the chicken. Cover with a lid, and cook for 20 minutes, turning the chicken every 7 to 8 minutes. After 20 minutes, cook uncovered for another 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat, garnish with parsley, and serve while hot.

PRO TIP:

If you want your sauce to be thicker, you can stir a cornstarch slurry into the sauce before serving.

diet coke mixture poured over the chicken in a pot

How To Serve

You can serve the dish over cooked rice, cauliflower rice, or sauteed mixed vegetables. This chicken recipe would make a delicious meal and comes together quickly on a busy weeknight when time is short.

To add some comfort food on the side, how about our creamy mashed potatoes or cheesy potato casserole?

Our slow cooker Coca-Cola chicken is a tasty variation on this recipe, while our Dr. Pepper pulled pork uses another favorite soda flavor in an unusual way.

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Spaghetti with Chicken Parm Recipe

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the Diet Coke chicken for up to 1 month. Allow the chicken to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and serving.

overhead shot of Diet Coke Chicken with rice and green beans on a plate

Using simple ingredients, this Diet Coke chicken recipe is a great way to get dinner on the table fast, and the whole family will be raving about how moist and flavorful it is. Make sure you add this easy dish to your meal plan soon!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use regular Coke?

If you prefer to use regular Coke in this recipe, you are more than welcome to substitute it for diet cola.

Can I use different types of chicken, such as wings or breasts?

You can use chicken wings or chicken breasts in this recipe. You will have to adjust your cooking time to make sure that the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Do I have to marinate the chicken in the sauce before cooking?

This recipe doesn’t require any marinating ahead of time. You will cook the chicken right in the sauce, and it will flavor it while it simmers.

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Diet Coke Chicken

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This Diet Coke chicken features tender, moist chicken simmered in a sweet and sticky sauce for a dish that you’ll enjoy making over and over again.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Servings

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Ingredients

¾ cup chicken broth
6 ounces tomato paste
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
12 ounces Diet Coke
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, optional garnish

Instructions

Add the chicken broth, tomato paste, smoked paprika, kosher salt, cracked pepper, and cayenne to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
Whisk in the Diet Coke.
Add the chicken thighs to a 10 to 12-inch deep, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Pour the Diet Coke mixture over the chicken. Cover with a lid, and cook for 20 minutes, turning the chicken every 7 to 8 minutes. After 20 minutes, cook uncovered for another 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat, garnish with parsley, and serve while hot.

Notes

You can also cook the dish in the slow cooker on high for 4 hours or 6 hours on low.
When cooking the chicken, ensure that the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer.
If you want your sauce to be thicker, you can stir a cornstarch slurry into the sauce before serving.

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!