Rebel Float Cola-Glazed Chicken (Print)

Chicken thighs in sweet, tangy cola glaze with subtle spice, finished in a skillet for bold American flavor.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Glaze

05 - 1 cup Rebel Float cola
06 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
07 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
09 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Directions:

01 - Pat the chicken thighs completely dry using paper towels. Season generously on all sides with salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet. Sear for 5 to 6 minutes until the skin is deeply golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes on the other side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
03 - Carefully pour off any excess rendered fat from the skillet, leaving approximately 1 tablespoon behind. Add the Rebel Float cola, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to the skillet. Stir continuously to combine all ingredients into a smooth sauce.
04 - Bring the cola mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Allow it to cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to slightly thicken into a glaze consistency.
05 - Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, positioning them skin-side up in the thickened glaze. Spoon some of the glaze over each chicken piece. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes. Baste the chicken with the glaze halfway through this cooking period, ensuring the chicken is cooked through and the glaze is sticky and rich.
06 - Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the chicken and glaze. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 45 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner
  • Uses simple ingredients with one unexpected star cola
  • Foolproof method delivers restaurant quality results every time
  • One pan means minimal cleanup
02 -
  • The glaze will thicken significantly as it cools, so remove from heat when it still looks a bit loose
  • Using bone in thighs prevents the chicken from drying out during the glazing process
  • This recipe doubles beautifully for larger gatherings without adjusting cooking times
03 -
  • Allow chicken to come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking for more even results
  • Don't rush the initial sear—those golden drippings form the foundation of your glaze
  • For maximum flavor, scrape the pan thoroughly when adding the cola mixture to incorporate all browned bits

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