Coca Cola Chicken Wings (Printable)

Sticky wings glazed in Coca-Cola, soy, garlic, and ginger—savory-sweet perfection for any gathering.

# 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 - 1/2 cup soy sauce
06 - 1 can (12 oz) Coca-Cola
07 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
08 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
09 - 1/2 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:

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

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • The glaze clings to every ridge and crevice of the wings, creating pockets of intense flavor that make each bite different.
  • You only need one pan and about ten ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry.
  • They taste like you labored over them for hours, but the cola does all the heavy lifting while you tidy up the kitchen.
  • Theyre just as good hot from the stove as they are at room temperature on a picnic table.
02 -
  • If you skip drying the wings, theyll release moisture into the pan and turn the sauce watery instead of glossy.
  • Resist the urge to cover the pan during simmering, the sauce needs evaporation to concentrate and thicken properly.
  • The glaze will look thin until the last five minutes, then it suddenly coats the back of a spoon, so dont panic and add cornstarch.
03 -
  • For a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of chili flakes or a tablespoon of gochujang when you pour in the Coca-Cola.
  • If the sauce reduces too fast and starts to look dry, add a few tablespoons of water and keep stirring.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for thirty seconds before sprinkling them on top, it makes them nutty and fragrant.
  • Use a wok if you have one, the high sides make stirring easier and contain the sticky splatter.
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