Healthy Sweet & Savory Cola Chicken Noodles (Easy Stir-Fry Recipe)
This guilt-free cola chicken noodles recipe delivers a bold, sticky, takeaway-style dinner without the extra calories. By using zero-sugar cola, you get a deeply caramelized, sweet-and-savory sauce that coats tender chicken breasts and fresh vegetables perfectly. It is the ultimate healthy “fakeaway” dish—quick to make, packed with umami depth, and naturally low in fat.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 2
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
The Protein & Spices
2 large chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
½ tsp Chinese five-spice powder
A pinch of sea salt
The Fresh Vegetables
1 red onion, sliced
1 cup button mushrooms, halved
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
½ tsp ginger (freshly grated or frozen paste)
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
½ cup baby corn, sliced diagonally
2 spring onions (scallions), chopped (for garnish)
The Sticky Cola Stir-Fry Sauce
1 can (330ml) zero-sugar cola (acts as the sweet, caramelized base)
2 tbsp tomato purée (paste)
2 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp white rice vinegar
1 concentrated chicken stock melt (or high-quality chicken bouillon paste)
½ chicken bouillon cube, crumbled
The Base
2 portions of dried or fresh noodles (cooked according to package instructions)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Sear the Seasoned Chicken
Place a large, non-stick wok or deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Toss the diced chicken with the Chinese five-spice powder and a pinch of salt. Sear the chicken until it is lightly browned on all sides (about 5 minutes). Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside to keep it tender.
2. Sauté the Aromatics and Veggies
In the same pan, add the sliced red onion, mushrooms, garlic, and ginger. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Toss in the sliced red and green bell peppers along with the baby corn, stirring frequently for another 2 minutes so they retain a bit of crispness.
3. Build the Sticky Sauce
Turn the heat down slightly and stir the tomato purée into the vegetables. Pour in the zero-sugar cola, dark soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and rice vinegar. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then stir in the concentrated chicken stock melt and the crumbled half-bouillon cube until completely dissolved.
4. Simmer to Thicken
Return the cooked chicken and any resting juices back into the pan. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the mixture bubble away uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces into a rich, glossy, and sticky glaze that clings to the chicken.
5. Toss with Noodles and Serve
Add your pre-cooked noodles directly into the wok along with most of the chopped spring onions. Toss everything together for 1–2 minutes until the noodles are piping hot and completely coated in the savory cola glaze.
Garnish with the remaining spring onions and serve immediately!