Slow Cooker Coca Cola Chicken

Intensify the flavors of barbecue chicken with a can of soda! This Slow Cooker Coca Cola Chicken is bursting with flavor thanks to the sweet and savory glaze of cola and barbecue sauce. 

This cola chicken recipe is the perfect meal for a busy night because it doesn’t require any chopping or advance preparation. All you need to do is toss the 6 simple ingredients in the slow cooker and come back to a delicious dinner. It’s also great for backyard parties and tailgating events! Serve it on buns or with your favorite cookout side dishes for a crowd pleasing meal.

If you like this coca cola chicken recipe, you will love my saucy Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken, Dr. Pepper Chicken, and Honey Mustard Chicken!

Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe to make shredded the chicken after cooking easier. 
• Coca Cola: The star of the show in this coca cola chicken recipe is the soda. The soda is acidic and helps tenderize the meat. It also adds a lot of sweetness.
• Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite barbecue sauce to give this chicken a tangy and savory flavor. The type of sauce can change the flavor, so experiment with smokey, vinegar, and spicy barbecue sauces.
• Garlic: A bit of minced garlic adds a zesty, sharp flavor to the dish that helps balance the sweetness. You can use fresh minced garlic or jarred garlic. If you use garlic powder, you only need a ½ teaspoon.
• Seasonings: Add a little onion flavor with some onion powder to increase the savory flavors of the dish. While mustard powder gives it more of a zesty flavor with mustard powder.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

• Try Different Cuts of Chicken: You can also use different cuts of chicken and serve it differently. Try it with chicken legs or wings and eat this saucy meat right off the bone. You can also make this dish with chicken thighs, which don’t overcook as easily as chicken breasts. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time for the type of chicken you use.
• Use a Different Soda: Mix up the flavor with your favorite dark soda, like Dr. Pepper, root beer, or cherry cola. Just be sure it’s a dark soda because those cook down with barbecue sauce the best.
• Add Veggies: Slice a few peppers and onions to add in with your chicken for an even more flavorful dish. You could also add pineapple if you wanted something a little sweeter and more acidic.
• Spice It Up: Make this coke chicken recipe a little spicy by adding a spicy barbecue sauce, red pepper flakes, or a scoop of Asian garlic chili sauce.

How to Make Coca Cola Chicken in the Slow Cooker

This delicious cola and barbecue chicken is the perfect meal for a busy weeknight because it doesn’t require any prep work. Just toss the ingredients into the slow cooker and enjoy a delicious dinner a few hours later!

1. Step 1: Combine the Ingredients. Add the coca cola, barbecue sauce, garlic, and seasonings to a 6-quart crock pot. Stir the ingredients together and add the chicken. Flip the chicken over a few times to ensure it is thoroughly coated with sauce.

2. Step 2: Cover and Cook. Place the lid securely on the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2 ½ - 3 ½ hours.

3. Step 3: Shred and Serve. After the chicken is fully cooked, shred it in directly in the slow cooker with two forks. Stir the shredded chicken to ensure each piece is fully coated in sauce. Then serve it over buns, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Storage Directions 

• Storing: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze this slow cooker cola chicken in a freeze-safe container for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw the frozen chicken in the refrigerator for 24 hours before reheating!
• Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the microwave for 60 second intervals. Stir the sauce every minute to distribute it evenly and ensure it heats thoroughly. You can also reheat it on the stove over medium heat. If the chicken looks a little dry, add a splash of additional barbecue sauce!

Serving Suggestions

This is the BEST coca cola chicken recipe because the slow cooker does all the work for you! After you add the ingredients, it’s just a waiting game until dinner is ready. Serve it to your family at the end of a busy weekday or make it for a crowd on the weekend for a tailgate meal or backyard barbeque.

• This coke chicken makes for an excellent sandwich! Serve it on your favorite buns with a side of coleslaw and your favorite BBQ side dishes, such as mac and cheese, collard greens, or corn on the cob.
• Skip the bun and serve mashed potatoes alongside your BBQ sides, then serve the cola chicken over the potatoes.
• You can also serve the saucy chicken over a scoop of slow cooker white rice or brown rice, and a garnish of chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top.
• I love this cola chicken with a side of cornbread in the crockpot. Sometimes I pour it right over the top of the bread!

More Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

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