Cola Braised Chicken: A Sweet and Savory Fusion Dish for All Ages
The Ultimate Sweet & Salty Dish: How to Make Delicious Braised Chicken with Cola
My child asked for some sweet braised chicken, so I spontaneously bought two chickens at the mart. I initially thought about making one for braised chicken and the other for braised spicy chicken stew, but plans can change! A sweet braised chicken, you say? I added a bottle of cola to the cart and decided to make ‘Cola Braised Chicken’. I took notes on the ingredients I used, but I think I might have thrown them out while cleaning the other day, so I’ll have to write this based on my hazy memory.
Main Ingredients- 2 whole chickens (cleaned)
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 medium onion
- 1/3 zucchini
- 2 Korean chili peppers (cheongyang peppers)
- 1 stalk of green onion
- Dried chili peppers (optional, for color)
- 1 handful of glass noodles (approx. 50g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Thoroughly clean the chicken under cold running water to remove any blood. For effectively eliminating any gamey smell, soak the chicken in cold milk for about 30 minutes. This step not only tenderizes the chicken but also removes unpleasant odors, contributing to a cleaner taste.
Step 2
Let’s make the star of our braised chicken: the cola sauce! In a bowl, combine 150ml soy sauce, 200ml cola, 100ml water, 100ml cooking wine, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 Tbsp sugar. Mix well. If you prefer a slightly spicy flavor, add 1 Tbsp gochugaru. (My memory is a bit hazy on the exact ratios, so feel free to adjust them to your taste!)
Step 3
While the chicken is preparing, let’s get the vegetables ready. Peel the potatoes and cut them into large chunks. Slice the onion into similar-sized pieces. Cut the zucchini into half-moons. Chop the green onion diagonally. If you want some heat, slice the Korean chili peppers. (If you have carrots or red chili peppers at home, adding them will make the dish even more visually appealing!)
Step 4
Rinse the chicken that was soaking in milk under cold water and pat it dry. In a pot, bring plenty of water to a boil, then add the chicken and blanch for about 5 minutes. You’ll see impurities and residual blood floating to the surface; skim these off thoroughly. This is a crucial step for a clean-tasting braised chicken.
Step 5
After blanching, rinse the chicken again under cold water and drain. Line the bottom of a pot with the large chunks of potato, onion, and zucchini. Place the chicken pieces on top of the vegetables. Pour the prepared cola sauce evenly over everything. Having the vegetables at the bottom prevents the chicken from sticking and burning, and it helps the sauce distribute evenly.
Step 6
Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover with a lid, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the chicken and vegetables are well-coated with the sauce. The cola will caramelize, thickening the sauce and adding a subtle sweetness.
Step 7
At this point, add the glass noodles, which have been pre-soaked in cold water. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb the delicious sauce. The noodles will become wonderfully flavorful as they soak up the braising liquid. (If you added gochugaru, the spicy aroma and taste will enhance the overall flavor profile here.)
Step 8
Finally, add the diagonally sliced green onions and Korean chili peppers, and simmer for another moment until everything is cooked through. This completes your delicious Cola Braised Chicken! The perfect balance of cola’s sweetness and soy sauce’s saltiness creates an irresistible sweet-and-savory flavor that everyone will love. It’s perfect as a side dish with rice or as a special meal!
