Irresistible Cola-Braised Chicken Drumsticks
Irresistible Cola-Braised Chicken Drumsticks
Super Easy Chicken Drumsticks with Cola
Discover the magic of making delicious chicken with just cola! This ‘Cola-Braised Chicken Drumsticks’ recipe is incredibly easy and guarantees a dish so tasty, you’ll want to make it again and again. The cola not only tenderizes the chicken but also creates a wonderfully sweet and savory glaze. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, a delightful snack, or an impressive appetizer!
Main Ingredients- 5 Chicken Drumsticks (approx. 400g)
- 1 can Cola (190ml)
Braising Sauce- 1 Korean chili pepper (Cheongyang chili pepper), seeds removed and finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Oyster Sauce
- A sprinkle of Sesame Seeds
Other Ingredients- Milk (for tenderizing and removing odor)
- A little Cooking Oil
- 1 Korean chili pepper (Cheongyang chili pepper), seeds removed and finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Oyster Sauce
- A sprinkle of Sesame Seeds
Other Ingredients- Milk (for tenderizing and removing odor)
- A little Cooking Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing 5 chicken drumsticks (about 400g). Make 2-3 deep scores into the flesh of each drumstick with a knife. This helps the sauce penetrate better, resulting in more flavorful chicken.
Step 2
Place the scored chicken drumsticks in a bowl and cover them with milk. Let them soak for about 30 minutes. The milk helps to tenderize the chicken and remove any gamey odor, ensuring a cleaner taste and a more succulent texture.
Step 3
After soaking, rinse the chicken drumsticks thoroughly under running cold water. This step removes the milk and any remaining impurities from the chicken.
Step 4
In a pot, add enough water to cover the chicken drumsticks. Add about 1 shot glass (approx. 50ml) of soju (Korean clear liquor) to the water. Soju also aids in removing any residual odor.
Step 5
Add the rinsed chicken drumsticks to the pot with the water and soju. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
Step 6
Once the water reaches a rolling boil, continue to boil for exactly 3 minutes. Then, carefully remove the chicken drumsticks from the pot. This brief blanching helps to further clean the chicken and reduces the overall cooking time.
Step 7
Now, let’s prepare the delicious braising sauce. In a small bowl, combine the finely chopped Korean chili pepper, minced garlic, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Mix everything well until evenly combined. Feel free to adjust the amount of chili pepper according to your spice preference.
Step 8
Heat a little cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Place the blanched chicken drumsticks in the hot pan. Sear them until the skin is golden brown and slightly crispy, almost like a ‘nurungji’ (scorched rice crust). This step enhances the chicken’s flavor and texture, making the skin wonderfully crisp. The goal here isn’t to fully cook them, but to achieve a delicious sear on the outside.
Step 9
Once the chicken drumsticks are nicely browned on all sides, pour in the entire can of cola and the prepared braising sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
Step 10
When the sauce begins to bubble vigorously, reduce the heat to medium. Let it simmer, allowing the cola to reduce and the sauce to thicken. Continue cooking until the sauce is about one-third of its original volume. For a more concentrated glaze, lower the heat further and continue to reduce until the sauce barely coats the bottom of the pan, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
Step 11
Finally, arrange the beautifully glazed chicken drumsticks on a serving plate and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Your delightful Cola-Braised Chicken Drumsticks are ready! This dish is a perfect pairing with drinks and also makes a fantastic side dish for rice. Enjoy this incredibly delicious treat! ^^
