Doc Bear's Coca-Cola Chicken for Tacos, Empanadas, Enchiladas, & Burritos

A unique chicken preparation using Coca-Cola as the cooking liquid, creating tender, slightly sweet shredded chicken. This two-day process removes excess fat and concentrates flavors.

Ingredients

  • 4 lb chicken, raw
  • liter Coca-Cola, flat preferred
  • 1 recipe Doc Bear’s Taco Season Medium
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1 Cup onion, chopped
  • 1 Cup green pepper, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat Coca-Cola in large stockpot over medium high heat.
  2. If the soda is not effectively flat, keep an eye on the pan, as the heat will cause the soda to fizz and bubble.
  3. If it bubbles too much, lower the heat but keep it on until bubbles and fizz subside.
  4. Place chicken in pot and make sure it is just covered by the cola.
  5. Add more cola to ensure it is covered during cooking.
  6. When the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F on a thermometer, about 20 minutes, remove pot from heat and place chicken into a shallow dish.
  7. Allow the liquid to cool only until it is safe to handle. Do not let it sit out to come to room temperature.
  8. Place into a large storage container or several smaller ones, and place in refrigerator to chill overnight.
  9. Using hands or forks, shred chicken completely. Alternatively, you could place the chicken on a cutting board and finely dice the chicken. Either way will work.
  10. Chicken will cool as you are shredding it.
  11. Place into storage containers and refrigerate overnight along with the cola.
  12. The next day, carefully remove the container with the cola from the fridge as well as the shredded chicken.
  13. Carefully take the lids off the containers with the cola.
  14. You will find that grease/oil, has solidified on top of the cola.
  15. Taking a large metal spoon, carefully remove the layer of grease and discard it in the trash, leaving only the cola.
  16. Save this cola as we will be using it a little later.
  17. In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt the butter, then add the onions (and peppers if desired) and allow them to sweat until the onions start to become translucent.
  18. Add 1 Tbsp of Doc Bear’s Taco Season Medium mix and stir to ensure it is well mixed with no clumps.
  19. If it becomes too dry, add a tablespoon of cola as needed.
  20. Add chicken to onion and season mix and stir to combine.
  21. Ensure as much of the chicken is coated with the season mix as possible.
  22. Add in ½ Cup of cola and continue stirring.
  23. The chicken and season mix will absorb the cola and keep it from becoming too dry.
  24. Continue adding cola as needed to keep chicken from becoming dry.
  25. Cook for a total of 30 minutes, then removed from heat.
  26. Allow to cool slightly before using in meals.