Coca Cola Chicken Wings (Printable Version)

Sticky, savory-sweet chicken wings coated in a rich Coca-Cola, soy, garlic, and ginger glaze. An easy crowd-pleaser for sharing.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2.5 lbs chicken wings, split at joints, tips discarded

→ Marinade & Sauce

02 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
05 - ½ cup soy sauce
06 - 1 can (12 oz) Coca-Cola
07 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
08 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
09 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
11 - 2 scallions, sliced (for garnish)
12 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

# How to Make:

01 - Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the chicken wings and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides, about 6–8 minutes.
04 - In a bowl, combine soy sauce, Coca-Cola, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Pour the mixture over the wings.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20–25 minutes, until the sauce thickens and becomes sticky, and wings are cooked through.
06 - Stir in sesame oil if using for additional depth of flavor.
07 - Transfer wings to a serving platter. Spoon extra glaze over the top and garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cola creates this incredible glossy finish that looks like you spent hours on it
  • Perfect balance of salty and sweet that makes people reach for seconds without thinking
  • Most ingredients are probably already sitting in your pantry right now
02 -
  • The sauce will look way too thin at first but it thickens dramatically in those last 5 minutes of simmering
  • Don't crowd the pan or the wings will steam instead of getting that nice golden brown color
  • Keep the heat at medium low once the sauce goes in or the sugar will burn and turn bitter
03 -
  • Line your baking sheet with foil before serving for easy cleanup afterward
  • Double the sauce recipe if you want extra for dipping or drizzling over rice
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