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.
Perhaps more important is the elephant in the room–we all know that soda is not good for your health. Under normal circumstances, 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 endorsement 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 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…
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.
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!
Coca Cola Chicken Wings
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!
Mine was fab
Going to make this really soon. What flavors will the cinnamon stick and the dried orange peel add?
More rich flavor :-)
I like to make this but I also add some star anise and I use the flat flanken cut (like you see at Korean bbq) short ribs.
Try it, Alex, and adjust cooking time accordingly. You will need more water for the longer cooking time :-)
Sadly this recipe just didn’t work well for me! I followed all the instructions and suggestions, but unfortunately we didn’t love the results :(
Sorry about that, Monique, was it too sweet for you?
I found 8 oz is enough coke . 12 oz was too much.
Thank you for sharing your cooking tip, Jinny.
Doesn’t say how much coke. Cans range from 4 oz. to 12 fl oz. I ended up with too much coke. And too much sauce that didn’t cook off…
Hi Jinny, one normal can is 12 oz. which is what we used, though you are right, we should be more specific :-)
Figured out the issue: if your lid is tight, you don’t evaporate enough of the coke to get a glaze. Cook time is right, just make sure you get enough evaporation going to get the amount of gooey glaze you want!
Good suggestion.
I’m so sad. I’ve been staring at this recipe for a long time and I finally made it tonight and I must have done something wrong. It just didn’t taste like anything.
Hi Christina, what’s the brand of your soy sauces? I think that could be the problem :-)
My sauce won’t thicken – any ideas? We have even left the lid off!
Hi bonnie, It just needs more time on the stove and maybe a slightly higher heat for the sauce to reduce.
Hi Bonnie, what kind of cooking tool did you use? Was it a wok or thick bottom pan?
Thanks!
Would Thai Dragon Chili Peppers compliment this recipe or would it clash with the sweet flavor?
Hi Chuck, they will not clash if you like your food super spicy. Sweetness from the cola will help to soften the spiciness.
Maybe I’m missing the wrong type of coke, but mine never boils down. It’s just watery…I end up just taking the drumsticks out after 15 minutes or else it’ll fall apart… Flavour’s still good but I miss the sticky glaze
Hi Abby, it will not work if you used diet cola. The sticky glaze comes from sugar in cola.
Can I marinate the wings & cook them on my BBQ?
Thank you.
Hi Alfred, too much sugar (in the coca cola) will burn over the fire.