Cola Braised Chicken (Jjimdak) Made Easy
Effortless Cola Jjimdak in the Pressure Cooker!
It feels like it’s been a while since I last cooked chicken, so I decided to make Jjimdak! This is my first time making Cola Jjimdak, but I’ve successfully made Cola Bossam (braised pork belly) in early August, so I felt confident to give this a try. I believe this is a dish that even beginner cooks can easily prepare. The sweet and savory sauce, enhanced by the caramel notes of cola, makes this a truly delicious meal.
Main Ingredients- 1 whole chicken (approx. 1kg)
- 1.5 potatoes
- 0.5 onion
- A small amount of carrot
- 1 stalk of green onion
- 1 red chili pepper
- Dried glass noodles (enough to soak)
- Milk (for removing chicken odor)
Braising Sauce Ingredients- 100ml soy sauce
- 100ml cola
- 50ml water
- 50ml cooking wine (mirin or similar)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 100ml soy sauce
- 100ml cola
- 50ml water
- 50ml cooking wine (mirin or similar)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To remove any gamey odors from the chicken, place it in a bowl and cover with milk. Let it soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This step helps tenderize the chicken and ensures a cleaner flavor.
Step 2
Peel and cut 1.5 potatoes into round slices, about 2-3 cm thick. Cutting them into larger pieces will help them maintain their shape while cooking.
Step 3
Peel and cut the carrot into round pieces, similar in size to the potatoes. Cut half an onion into large chunks as well. These larger vegetable pieces add texture and flavor to the dish.
Step 4
Cut 1 stalk of green onion into large, 3-4 cm pieces. Slice 1 red chili pepper diagonally (after removing seeds) to add a vibrant color. Set these aside as they will be added towards the end.
Step 5
Glass noodles are essential for Jjimdak! Soak the dried glass noodles in water before you start cooking. Soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes, or in warm water for about 10-15 minutes until they are pliable.
Step 6
Let’s make the delicious braising sauce! In a bowl, combine 100ml soy sauce, 100ml cola, 50ml water, 50ml cooking wine, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 3 Tbsp sugar. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved. The cola adds a wonderful sweetness and depth of flavor.
Step 7
Rinse the chicken thoroughly under running water to remove all the milk. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the chicken, and blanch for 7 minutes. This process removes impurities and any remaining odors, resulting in a cleaner-tasting chicken.
Step 8
Now, let’s use the pressure cooker! Place the blanched chicken at the bottom of the pressure cooker. Arrange the prepared potatoes, carrots, and onions on top of the chicken.
Step 9
Pour the prepared cola sauce evenly over the ingredients in the pressure cooker. Make sure the sauce coats everything well.
Step 10
Close the pressure cooker lid and heat over high heat. Once the pressure cooker starts to whistle or the weight moves, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and let the steam release completely from the pressure cooker before opening. (Cooking time may vary depending on your pressure cooker model.)
Step 11
Carefully open the pressure cooker lid. Add the soaked glass noodles into the pot. Continue to cook over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and have absorbed the sauce.
Step 12
Once the noodles are cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly, add the large pieces of green onion and the sliced red chili pepper. Stir gently to combine. Simmer for another minute or two, and your delicious Cola Jjimdak is ready to serve! Enjoy with a side of warm rice.
