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Coca-Cola Chicken is an easy, satisfying slow cooker meal made with chicken simmered in Coke, barbecue sauce, and onions until it easily falls apart.
Make sandwiches out of my Slow Cooker Coca-Cola chicken recipe! It’s a quick and easy dinner that’s perfect for a winter night or a summer barbecue. It’s one of my favorite meals when I’m craving a BBQ sandwich but don’t want to make heavier crockpot pulled pork.
Key Ingredients
Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken breasts cook and shred up best for sandwiches.
Coke – One can of regular Coca-Cola adds sweetness and caramelized flavor.
Barbecue Sauce – Use a smoky barbecue sauce such as Sweet Baby Ray’s or Stubb’s.
Seasoning – To make the seasoning easy, use a Good Seasonings Italian Dressing Mix.
Onion – Sweet yellow onion will add flavor and texture.
How to Make Coca Cola Chicken
- Start by piling everything into the crockpot — no special order needed.
- Let it simmer low and slow until the chicken practically falls apart.
- Grab two forks, shred it up, and stir it back into the sauce.
Tips & Variations
Sweeter: Make the chicken and sauce even sweeter by adding a 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
Chicken cut: Use any chicken you need to use up! Thighs, drumsticks, or even a whole chicken – just shred off the bone and serve.
Diet Soda: I often get asked if this is a good substitute in a slow cooker recipe. While it will work, it will have an off taste just as the beverage does.
Soda Swap: You can use Dr. Pepper or root beer as great substitutes for Coke.
Hawaiian: Add pineapple tidbits for a tropical twist.
How to Serve Coca Cola Chicken
On buns: Sandwiches are the best and easiest way to serve up this coke chicken recipe. Simply pile on toasted buns with the onions and add additional barbecue sauce.
Toppings: Add coleslaw, pickles and cheese to top of your sandwiches.
Other Ways to Serve: Serve the saucy chicken on steamed white rice or next to mashed potatoes or mac and cheese.
Will the Chicken Taste like Coke?
No! Not at all; since Coke has a mild flavor, it will just be a subtle background flavor that enhances the chicken’s overall taste; the barbecue sauce flavor shines through more.
Slow Cooker Coca Cola Chicken
How to Video
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup barbecue sauce , (we like Sweet Baby Ray's or Stubb's)
- 1 white onion, sliced (or sweet yellow onion)
- .87 oz. Italian dressing mix, (I use Good Seasons brand, find these packets near the ranch packets)
- 12 oz. Coca Cola
Instructions
- Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle over the Italian dressing mix.
- Add the sliced white onion on top of the chicken.
- Drizzle over the barbecue sauce.
- Pour over the coca cola next.
- Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours.
- Shred and serve on buns or however desired.
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
How to Store
To store leftover Coca-Cola chicken, place it in airtight containers. You can refrigerate it for up to 3 days or you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
My Other Favorite Barbecue Recipes
You will also like my Root Beer Chicken, or Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork which also have fizzy sodas. Pulled Pork Chow Down is a tangy bbq meat served over cornbread.
For Sides that go good with the above, try my Slow Cooker Baked Beans, Crockpot Mac and Cheese or Slow Cooker Corn on the Cob.
