Pepsi Chicken Wings

Get your game day snack on with these delicious sweet and sticky Pepsi wings! These glazed wings are finger-licking good and it’s the perfect snack for the Super Bowl or any watch party! 🙂

I’ve seen Coca-Cola chicken recipes everywhere but always wondered why Pepsi never got any love. With the Super Bowl coming up and Pepsi being its biggest sponsor over the past 10 years, I thought I’d make this recipe with Pepsi instead! (fun fact: Pepsi is the NFL’s official soft drink).

I hope you enjoy~ 🙂

Why you’ll love this recipe

Game day isn’t complete without game day food and what better way to enjoy the game than with a indulgent plate of Pepsi chicken wings? It’s the perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors all in one bite. 

These delectable wings are very easy to put together – you just need one pan and 5 ingredients! After quickly searing the wings, all you have to do is pour everything into the pan. It doesn’t get easier than that! The trick is to sear the chicken wings to create a crispy outer layer. Reducing the Pepsi sauce into a thick glaze helps the flavors seep deep into the chicken wings.

This recipe serves two, but I definitely recommend making more because these will go quickly!

Pepsi Chicken Wings Ingredients & Substitutions

Chicken wings: the chicken wings are the star of this recipe! 

Soy sauce: soy sauce adds a salty and umami flavor to the sauce. In a pinch, you can use tamari as a substitute but adjust the amount to taste since it’s less salty.

Pepsi Zero Sugar: Pepsi Zero Sugar is used as the base of the sauce. You can use regular Pepsi as a substitute but remember to skip the honey or reduce the amount added so the sauce isn’t overly sweet. 

Honey: honey sweetens the sauce to balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce. It also makes the sauce extra sticky. I personally like wildflower honey because it’s neutral in taste but you can use any honey you desire. You can also use brown sugar or maple syrup. 

Olive oil: olive oil is used for searing chicken wings. Feel free to swap it with any cooking oil you have at home, such as vegetable, peanut, sunflower seed, grape seed, corn, or canola oil.

Scallions: scallions add a pop of color and freshness as a garnish. 

Pepsi Chicken Wings Ingredient Additions/Variations

If you want to up the ante on the flavors of these delectable Pepsi chicken wings, here are a few ingredients I think would work deliciously

1. Ginger – ginger adds a refreshingly spicy taste that cuts right to the thick flavors of the Pepsi chicken wings. You can grate the ginger and add them to the sauce.

2. Chili powder – if you’re a spice lover like me, some heat would make the chicken wings extra tasty. You can add chili powder, cayenne pepper, or chili flakes in the Pepsi sauce to give it a hot kick!

3. Crushed nuts – if you want a crunchy texture to your chicken wings, crushed nuts are the perfect addition. Feel free to use peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or even sesame seeds. 

How do I prepare Pepsi Chicken Wings?

To prepare a plate of sweet and sticky Pepsi chicken wings, follow the recipe below:

Step 1: Prepare the chicken wings

Pat dry chicken wings with a paper towel.

Step 2: Sear the chicken wings

Heat a pan with olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is thoroughly heated, carefully arrange the chicken wings in a single layer. Allow the chicken to cook for 2 minutes on each side until they’ve browned.

Step 3: Add the sauce ingredients

Pour in soy sauce, Pepsi zero sugar (or regular Pepsi), and honey (omit if using regular Pepsi). Then, reduce heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, making sure to flip the chicken every few minutes.

Step 4: Reduce the sauce

Remove the lid and allow the sauce to cook for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the liquid reduces into a thick and sticky sauce. Be careful not to burn the sauce. 

Step 5: Plate and serve

Once the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce, transfer them to a plate and garnish with scallions. Serve and enjoy!

Cooking Tips for Pepsi Chicken Wings

Although the recipe is already pretty straightforward, here are a few tips and tricks you can keep in mind to make the most delicious Pepsi chicken wings every time. 

• Remember to pat the chicken dry before frying to remove excess moisture so the chicken wings crisp up and brown nicely. It also prevents the oil from splattering while cooking.

• If you want to make the chicken wings more flavorful and tender, you can also marinate them in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for a few hours before searing.

• I used Pepsi Zero (sugar-free) instead of regular Pepsi because I wanted the sauce the be extra sticky from the honey. If you want to use regular Pepsi, be sure to omit the honey completely or reduce it to your desired sweetness since regular Pepsi is already sweet. 

• Keep an eye on the sauce while it’s reducing since the sugar from the honey can cause it to burn quickly. Adjusting the heat to low is a surefire way to prevent this.

• Feel free to adjust the sweetness and saltiness of the honey and soy sauce according to your taste preference.

What can I serve with Pepsi Chicken Wings?

Pepsi chicken wings are deliciously addicting on their own, but if you want to prepare a legitimate spread during game day, here are some ideas you can use for inspiration: 

1. Hot Dogs – hot dogs are an all-American classic that’s perfect for game day! If you’re craving something unique, exciting, and downright delicious you have to try my Kimchi Hot Dogs recipe!

2. French fries – you can serve your chicken wings a la pub-style with french fries. You can keep it classic by keeping them plain, or go all out with my Korean Pickle Brine Fries or Loaded Kimchi Fries recipes!

3. Nachos – crunchy loaded nachos are a classic game day snack and they pair deliciously with Pepsi chicken wings. You can keep it classic with a combination of beans, salsa, and guacamole, or give your nachos a spicy twist with my Kimchi Nachos recipe!

4. Vegetable salad – if you want to keep it light, you can always serve a refreshing vegetable salad. Top it with a tangy vinaigrette like my Carrot Ginger Miso Salad Dressing to complement the flavors of the chicken wings, or use a rich and nutty like my Creamy Sesame Dressing recipe!

5. Cheese Balls – if you want to load up on comfort food, you can never go wrong with fried cheese balls like my Corn Cheese Balls recipes!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boneless chicken wings for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just be sure to reduce the cooking time since boneless chicken cooks faster than bone-in chicken. You can also use boneless chicken thighs or breasts! I recommend using skin-on boneless thighs for juicy chicken!

Pepsi Zero Sugar vs. Regular Pepsi

As its name suggests, Pepsi Zero Sugar doesn’t contain any sugar, but it does have artificial sweeteners. With that being said, it is significantly less sweet compared to regular Pepsi. I prefer to use Pepsi Zero Sugar in this recipe over regular Pepsi because I wanted to add honey to make the sauce extra sticky without it being overly sweet. But if you choose to use regular Pepsi, it will also taste just as great on the chicken wings! Just be sure to skip the honey or reduce the amount added. 

What does adding Pepsi Zero Sugar do to the chicken wings?

Aside from adding flavor to the sauce, adding Pepsi Zero Sugar to the chicken wings helps tenderize them. As a result, the chicken wings are fall-of-the-bone succulent and juicy. 

Can I make Pepsi chicken wings in advance?

Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the chicken wings in advance and keep them warm in the oven or store them in the fridge and reheat them in the microwave right before serving. 

Can I store Pepsi chicken wings?

Yes! You can store leftover Pepsi chicken wings in an airtight container in the fridge to stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. You can reheat the chicken wings in the oven or heat them in the microwave until warmed through. 

Looking for more easy and delicious chicken recipes?

1. Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken – if you enjoy popcorn chicken but don’t want the extra calories from deep-frying, this recipe is for you! It’s a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors that’s completely hard to resist.

2. Korean Fried Chicken Bao – I promise you’ll be in food heaven once you take a bite out of the crispy Korean fried chicken wrapped in soft pillowy bao buns. The chicken is glazed with a sweet, tangy, and spicy gochujang sauce that’s complemented by ‘chicken mu’ or pickled radish. 

3. Japanese Chicken & Egg Rice Bowl (Oyakodon) – for a comforting and flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare, you might want to try this oyakodon recipe. The chicken is packed with sweet and savory flavors that are complemented with creamy eggs, and served over a bowl of fresh rice!

4. Honey Butter Fried Chicken – you no longer have to order takeout when you can make this Korean fried chicken at home! It’s covered in a sweet and buttery sauce that’s just as good as the restaurant.

5. Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji) – I bet you’d want to add this Taiwanese staple to your weekly rotation once you get one bite out of it. The sauce contains the perfect balance of soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine to make it lip-smackingly good!

Pin & save this recipe for later!