Craving a unique and tantalizing dinner idea? This Orange Soda Chicken recipe delivers a mouthwatering balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors using an unexpected star ingredient—orange soda! Juicy, tender chicken thighs are seared to golden perfection, then simmered in a luscious sauce made with orange soda, soy sauce, ketchup, and a hint of brown sugar. The sauce thickens to a glossy glaze, beautifully complementing the chicken with its caramelized citrus notes. Finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh green onions, this quick and easy recipe is ready in under an hour and pairs perfectly with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes. A family-friendly dinner that’s as fun as it is flavorful, this dish is sure to become a weeknight favorite!
Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the orange soda, soy sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar. Mix well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, ensuring they are coated with the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping occasionally.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to form a slurry.
Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the skillet and set aside. Gradually stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce to thicken it. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy.
Return the chicken to the skillet and coat it evenly with the thickened sauce.
Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dish.
Calories |
1871 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 99.3 g | 127% | |
| Saturated Fat | 23.1 g | 116% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 750 mg | 250% | |
| Sodium | 4307 mg | 187% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 75.5 g | 27% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 54.4 g | ||
| Protein | 164.7 g | 329% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 161 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 8.0 mg | 44% | |
| Potassium | 1847 mg | 39% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.