Sprite — Yes, Sprite — Is the Secret to a Tender, Juicy Chicken Dish

Just when you thought you'd explored all the ways to cook chicken, YouTube surprises you with a clever new twist. That's exactly what Cook and Taste's channel did for me. The concept of cooking chicken in soda was completely off my radar, but after seeing this recipe with over 10 million views, I was hooked.

Mixing soda and dinner may sound like something from your childhood fantasies, but Sprite and chicken make an unexpected but perfect pair. Together, they create delicious marinades and tender roasts. Don’t worry about overwhelming sweetness — the soda’s sugar is balanced by savory ingredients like soy and oyster sauce, creating a mouthwatering harmony of sweet and salty.

In this recipe, the soda works its magic by both steaming and braising the chicken, giving it that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The slow simmer lets the flavors meld, infusing the chicken with aromatic notes of lemongrass and garlic. As the recipe creator says, "Once you try this, you’ll never want to order chicken from a restaurant again."

If you’re new to the world of Sprite and chicken, let me introduce you to this amazing recipe — you’re in for a treat!

How to Prepare Sprite Chicken

(recipe inspired by Cook and Taste)

• 1 whole chicken, uncooked
• ½ red onion, cut in chunks
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 stalk lemongrass
• 1 liter Sprite
• ½ cup oyster sauce
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt
• Pepper, to taste

1. Generously salt the inside of the chicken, then stuff it with onion, garlic, and lemongrass. Season the outside with additional salt and pepper.
2. Place a rack or forks in the bottom of a large pot to keep the chicken off the base. Set the chicken in the pot breast-side up. Pour Sprite over the chicken and coat the exposed skin with oyster sauce.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then pour soy sauce on top. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the sauce has thickened.