Chicken With Sprite Recipe – Filipino Sweet and Savory Chicken
Looking for an easy chicken recipe that doesn’t require an oven? This Chicken With Sprite Recipe is a delicious Filipino-style dish made with whole chicken, lemon-lime soda, soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic and onion.
Chicken With Sprite
Equipment
- Large deep pan with lid
- Tongs
- Mixing spoon or ladle for basting
- Knife and cutting board
- Meat thermometer
- Serving platter
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken about 1.5 kilograms
- 3 cups Sprite or lemon-lime soda
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 medium onion minced, plus extra for stuffing
- 4 cloves garlic minced, plus extra for stuffing
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1 stalk lemongrass
- Cooking oil for searing
- Spring onions chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub salt and ground black pepper over the skin and inside the cavity.
- Stuff the chicken with extra onion, garlic, and lemongrass. Secure the opening with toothpicks or kitchen twine if needed.
- Heat cooking oil in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Sear the chicken for 3–5 minutes per side until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- Carefully remove excess oil from the pan, leaving enough to sauté the aromatics.
- Sauté the minced onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add the oyster sauce and soy sauce. Stir well.
- Return the chicken to the pan and pour in the Sprite. Adjust the amount if necessary to provide enough liquid for simmering.
- Cover and simmer over low heat for about 25 minutes. Baste the chicken occasionally with the sauce.
- Carefully turn the chicken over and simmer for another 20 minutes, or until cooked through. Add a little water if the sauce reduces too quickly.
- Check the thickest part of the breast and the innermost thigh with a meat thermometer, avoiding the bone. The chicken should reach at least 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the lid and simmer briefly to reduce the sauce to your preferred consistency. Baste the chicken while the sauce thickens, taking care not to burn it.
- Transfer to a serving platter and spoon the sauce over the chicken. Garnish with spring onions, if desired. Rest briefly, then remove the stuffing and any toothpicks or twine before carving.
Notes
- Choose a deep pan with a lid that comfortably fits the whole chicken.
- Pat the chicken dry before searing to help the skin brown.
- Sprite is already sweet, so taste the sauce before adding any sugar.
- Baste regularly for an even coating and flavorful glaze.
- If the sauce reduces too quickly before the chicken is cooked, add a little water.
- For a spicier version, add chopped chili to the sauce.
- Remove the lemongrass, stuffing, toothpicks, or kitchen twine before serving.
- Serve with hot rice and extra sauce.
- Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container within two hours and consume within 3–4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Nutrition
Sprite gives the sauce a sweet flavor and helps create a glossy glaze as it simmers. Stuffing the chicken with onion, garlic, and lemongrass adds a wonderful aroma, making this dish extra flavorful.
The best part? You can cook everything in one pan! Serve this sweet and savory Filipino Chicken With Sprite with hot rice for a satisfying family meal.
Watch how to Cook Chicken in Sprite and Oyster Sauce
What Is Chicken With Sprite?
Chicken With Sprite is a Filipino-style chicken dish cooked in a sweet and savory sauce made with lemon-lime soda, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. The chicken is first seared to develop color, then simmered in the sauce until tender and fully cooked.
Unlike roasted chicken, this recipe doesn’t require an oven. The chicken cooks in a covered pan, allowing it to absorb the flavors of the sauce. As the liquid reduces, it forms a delicious glaze that coats the chicken.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No oven needed: Cook the chicken entirely on the stovetop.
- Sweet and savory: Sprite balances the salty flavors of soy sauce and oyster sauce.
- Simple ingredients: Everything is easy to find in supermarkets or local markets.
- Perfect for sharing: A whole glazed chicken makes a lovely family lunch or dinner.
- Great with rice: The flavorful sauce tastes wonderful spooned over freshly cooked rice.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy Chicken With Sprite Recipe.
- 1 whole chicken (about 1.5 kilograms): Choose a chicken that fits comfortably in your pan.
- 3 cups Sprite: Adds sweetness and provides liquid for simmering.
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce: Gives the sauce a rich, savory flavor.
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce: Adds saltiness, color, and umami.
- 1 medium onion, minced: Builds flavor in the sauce.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Adds a delicious aroma.
- Salt and ground black pepper: Seasons the chicken.
- Spring onions: Optional garnish.
- 1 stalk lemongrass: Adds a fresh, citrusy aroma.
- Extra onion and garlic: For stuffing the chicken.
- Cooking oil: For searing.
You may also add ginger or herbs to the chicken cavity for extra aroma.
How to Cook Chicken With Sprite
Step 1: Season the chicken
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub salt and ground black pepper over the skin and inside the cavity. Drying the skin helps it brown better during searing.
Step 2: Stuff the chicken
Place onion, garlic, and lemongrass inside the cavity. Secure the opening with toothpicks or kitchen twine if needed. Avoid overfilling the cavity.
Step 3: Sear the chicken
Heat oil in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Carefully place the chicken in the pan and sear for three to five minutes per side, turning until the skin develops a golden-brown color.
Remove the chicken and set aside. It will finish cooking during simmering.
Step 4: Prepare the sauce
Remove excess oil from the pan, leaving enough to sauté the aromatics. Add the minced onion and garlic, then cook until fragrant.
Stir in the oyster sauce and soy sauce. Mix well, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 5: Add Sprite
Return the seared chicken to the pan. Pour in the Sprite, adjusting the amount if needed according to your pan and chicken size. Spoon some sauce over the chicken.
Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low.
Step 6: Simmer and baste
Simmer for about 25 minutes. Carefully turn the chicken over and cook for another 20 minutes, basting occasionally with the sauce.
Cooking time varies depending on the chicken’s size and your stove. If the sauce reduces too quickly before the chicken is cooked, add a little water and continue simmering.
Step 7: Check if the chicken is cooked
Use a food thermometer to check the thickest part of the breast and the innermost part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
If it hasn’t reached this temperature, cover the pan and continue cooking, checking again after a few minutes.
Step 8: Reduce the sauce
Once the chicken is fully cooked, simmer uncovered if you prefer a thicker glaze. Baste the chicken as the sauce reduces, watching carefully to prevent the sugars from burning.
If you prefer a saucy dish, stop cooking while enough liquid remains for serving.
Step 9: Serve
Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and spoon the sauce over it. Garnish with spring onions if desired. Let the chicken rest briefly before carving, and remove the stuffing and any toothpicks or twine before serving.
Enjoy with hot rice!
Tips for the Best Chicken With Sprite
- Use a deep pan: Make sure the chicken fits comfortably and can be turned safely.
- Pat the chicken dry: This helps the skin brown during searing.
- Don’t add sugar immediately: Sprite is already sweet, so taste the sauce before adding anything extra.
- Baste regularly: Spoon sauce over the chicken to distribute flavor and color.
- Keep the heat low: A gentle simmer helps the chicken cook evenly and prevents the sauce from burning.
- Use a thermometer: Cooking time alone cannot guarantee that a whole chicken is fully cooked.
Variations to Try
Chicken pieces: Cut the chicken into portions for easier serving and potentially shorter cooking time. Check each piece for doneness.
Ginger and lemongrass: Add sliced ginger to the cavity for a deeper, more aromatic flavor.
Garlic lovers’ version: Add extra minced garlic to the sauce for a stronger savory taste.
Spicy Chicken With Sprite: Add chopped chili or chili sauce to balance the sweetness with a little heat.
Extra sauce: Add a little water if you want more sauce to pour over your rice. Avoid reducing it completely.
What to Serve With Chicken With Sprite
This dish pairs best with freshly cooked white rice, which soaks up the sweet and savory sauce. For a balanced meal, serve it with sautéed vegetables, steamed cabbage, or cucumber salad.
You can also serve it with atchara for a tangy contrast to the sweet glaze. For family gatherings, present the whole chicken on a platter and carve it just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use another lemon-lime soda?
Yes. Another lemon-lime soda can work, although the sweetness and flavor may vary by brand.
Can I use chicken pieces instead of a whole chicken?
Yes. Chicken pieces are easier to handle and may cook faster. Adjust the cooking time and check that the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).
How can I thicken the sauce?
Simmer the sauce uncovered after the chicken is fully cooked. Let it reduce gently, basting the chicken occasionally and watching closely to prevent burning.
Does Sprite make the chicken tender?
Sprite provides sweetness and liquid for simmering. The chicken becomes tender mainly through cooking, while the soda contributes to the flavor and glaze.
How do I know when the chicken is ready?
Use a food thermometer to check the breast and innermost thigh, avoiding bone. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F (74°C).
Conclusion
This Chicken With Sprite Recipe is an easy way to prepare a flavorful whole chicken without an oven. Sprite, soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, onion, and lemongrass create a delicious sweet and savory glaze.
Sear the chicken, let it simmer gently, and baste it until fully cooked. Serve it with hot rice and enjoy this comforting Filipino-style dish with your family!
Chicken in Sprite and Oyster Sauce Recipe (TAGALOG)
MGA SANGKAP
- 1 buong manok (~1.5 kilo)
- 3 tasa ng lemon soda
- 3 kutsarang oyster sauce
- 2 kutsarang toyo
- 1 pirasong sibuyas (hiniwa ng maliliit)
- 4 butil ng bawang (hiniwa ng maliliit)
- asin at paminta
- spring onions (optional)
- 1 tangkay ng tanglad
- sibuyas at bawang (panglaman sa loob ng manok)
- mantika
PAANO LUTUIN:
- Pahiran ng asin at paminta ang loob at labas ng manok.
- Ilagay ang mga pampalasa sa loob ng manok (sibuyas, bawang, tanglad). Gumamit ng toothpick para maisara ang manok.
- Magpainit ng konting mantika sa katamtamang apoy. Ilagay ang manok sa kawali at lutuin sa loob ng 3-5 minuto. Baliktarin ang manok para maluto ang kabilang side.
- Alisin ang manok sa kawali at bawasan ang mantika. Mag gisa ang sibuyas at bawang. Sunod na ilagay ang oyster sauce at toyo. Ibalik ang manok sa kawali at saka ilagay ang lemon soda. Ang dami ng lemon soda ay depende sa laki ng manok.
- Habang naluluto ang manok, buhusan ito ng sauce. Takpan ang kawali at hayaan itong maluto sa loob ng 25 minuto. Baliktarin ang manok para maluto ang kabilang side nito. Lutuin pa ito ng 20 pang minuto.
- Buhusan ng sauce ang manok hanggang maging pantay ang kulay nito. Hayaan itong maluto hanggang sa malapit nang matuyo ang sauce. Kung gusto mo ng tuyong luto ng manok, lutuin pa ito hanggang matuyo ang sauce.
- Ilipat ang manok sa isang malaking lalagyan. Ihain ito kasama ng mainit na kanin. Enjoy!
