This diet coke chicken is the perfect busy weeknight recipe for the whole family. With juicy pieces of chicken and lots of vegetables in a tasty sugar-free sweet and sour flavorful sauce.
Welcome to one of the first ever Slimming World recipes I ever made which convinced us this weight loss plan was for us.
This diet coke chicken dish is so tasty, kinder on the teeth, and a healthy alternative to a sweet and sour chicken which is usually packed with brown sugar.
We make this low-calorie dish in a large skillet with simple ingredients. But I'll also show you a great way on how to make this diet cola chicken recipe in an Instant Pot, a slow cooker or crock pot!
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🛒 Main Ingredients
Please see the printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, exact quantities, daily values and instructions at the bottom of this post.
Low calorie cooking oil spray - we use Frylight to fry everything, but if you are not on a low fat diet, you could use olive oil
Whole chicken breasts - to keep syn values down, we use boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into chunks and any visible fat removed. Or you can use extra juicy skinless chicken thighs
Onion - diced and added for flavour
Garlic cloves - for a more complex flavour
Diet coke® or Pepsi max - this is the secret ingredient, but you can use a can of any soft drinks, such as orange soda, dr pepper, etc, but ensure it is diet soda
Vegetables - orange, yellow and red bell peppers and mushrooms
Spices - smoked paprika, ground ginger, salt and black pepper to taste
Stock - we use chicken broth, but you could use vegetable stock or stockpots
Passata - for an intense tomato sauce that helps create a bbq sauce flavour. Alternatively, if not following a diet plan, you can swap for ½ cup ketchup or barbecue sauce
Tomato purée - tomato paste to help thicken the tomato base
Worcestershire sauce - or balsamic vinegar to add tang to balance the sweeter ingredients
Soy sauce - again to balance the sweeter taste
📋 Instructions
In a large lidded frying pan, add your nonstick cooking spray, such as Frylight.
Then without the lid, fry the chicken, onions, peppers, and garlic until browned or tender together.
Now add passata, tomato puree and everything else. Then bring to a boil, stir, cover with a lid and reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for a further 12-15 minutes.
Remove the lid and continue to cook for a further 7 to 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally until thickened. Then serve with white or brown rice and enjoy.
👩🍳 Substitutions
Here are a few simple swaps you can make depending on any dietary needs:
- Vegetarian - swap the chicken for Quorn chicken pieces and vegetable stock or bouillon
- Gluten Free - ensure your soy sauce, stocks and Worcestershire sauce is GF
- Meat eaters - swap chicken for other meats, such as diet coke pork recipe
⚖️ Variations
Depending on your personal taste, here are some ideas on how you can really boost the flavours to suit.
- Spicy - a great option, if you love some heat, is to add some chilli flakes and a pinch of cayenne pepper
- Deluxe - squeeze in some final lime juice and coriander for the ultimate infusion and slice a spring onion (scallion) and sprinkle on top
- Kid-friendly - get kids involved in the cooking process. Knowing a can of coke goes into the pot is half the fun!
See my Gammon in diet coke and coca cola BBQ sauce marinade recipe also on my website!
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Here are a few serving suggestions if you're looking beyond plain old rice:
- Coca Cola marinade, perfect for BBQs or pulled chicken
- Skinny chips
- Baked potato
- Horseradish egg fried rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Whole roasted cauliflower
- Fruity salsa rice
- Jewelled rice
- Mixed salad
- Simple pasta
🔪 Equipment
Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links.
There isn't any need for fancy equipment when cooking diet coke chicken. It's really just a case of a few basic essentials, so here's what I use:
Granite chopping board
Sharp chef's knife
Stellar saucepan with lid (gifted)
Silicone spatula
Set of measuring spoons
Garlic mincer
Kitchen scales
Measuring jug
❄️ Storage
This diet coke chicken is perfect for cooking ahead of time and freezing.
If you have leftover Slimming World cola chicken, then I recommend leaving it to cool to room temperature, then storing in an airtight container.
Then immediately store in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To reheat the next day, put it in a large baking dish, cover it with tin foil and bake in the oven until piping hot, or in a large saucepan or microwave.
💡Pro Tips
- Don't worry about it not thickening without sugar. The passata will do that for you towards the end of your cooking time without a lid on the frying pan
- Sear the chicken with the vegetables to prevent it from falling apart in the cooking process
❓ FAQ
Yes, diet cola is very healthy at around 252 calories per person. (Note, this is minus the rice). It also contains very little fat and around 36g of protein each to help you feel more satisfied.
You can use any diet or sugar-free soda for this recipe - even diet fanta orange to ensure it is estimated as Syn Free.
If not following Weight Watchers, etc, then you can use regular coke (but this would be extra calories).
For an equally delicious meal, you can make Instant Pot Coca-Cola chicken by using half the passata and coke. Fry the ingredients as usual, then cook on your pressure cooker mode for 10 minutes.
If you prefer it thicker, heat over medium-high heat until you get your desired consistency.
Use half a can of coke and half the amount of passata as the liquid won't evaporate in the pot. Then cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
➕ More Great Recipes
Looking for another popular dish for the family? Why not try these?
You must use the category name, not a URL, in the category field.➕ Slow Cooker Recipes
Want an easy recipe? Then the trusty slow cooker is your best friend! Here, you can find several recipes to try!
You must use the category name, not a URL, in the category field.📖 Recipe
Unofficial Slimming World Diet Coke Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- Frylight
- 600 g chicken breasts skinless
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 orange pepper
- 1 yellow pepper
- 1 red pepper or 150g sweet bite peppers
- 150 g mushrooms sliced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 330 ml diet coke or 1 can
- 180 g passata
- 60 g tomato puree
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 chicken stockpot
- Seasoning (dash of salt and pepper to taste)
Instructions
- In a large lidded frying pan, spray with Frylight or similar cooking oil spray.
- Then without the lid, fry the chicken, onions, peppers and garlic until browned or tender together.
- Now add everything else and briefly bring to a boil while stirring.
- Next, cover with a lid, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for a further 15 minutes.
- Remove the lid and continue to cook for a further 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
- Serve with rice and enjoy!
Disclaimer
*This is an unofficial page and has no affiliation or endorsement from Slimming World. Slimming World's website can be found at https://www.slimmingworld.co.uk/. Any syn values are personal estimates and not verified by Slimming World.
Video
Notes
- Don't worry about it not thickening without sugar. The passata will do that for you towards the end of your cooking time without a lid on the frying pan
- Sear the chicken with the vegetables to prevent it from falling apart in the cooking process
Emma
Hi Vikkie, I wonder would using Diet vanilla coke alter the taste at all? We happen to have some leftover from Christmas- I might give it a go and let you know how it goes!
Joan Hughes
I made this last night and it was absolutely lovely,I will be making it again.
I served it with boiled rice and as there is only me, there was enough for three good hearty meals. It was very quick and easy to do although I simmered mine for a bit longer. Thanks for posting Vikkie!