Diet Coke / Pepsi Max Chicken Recipe: A Weight Watcher-Friendly Delight

Welcome to a deliciously unique and Weight Watcher–friendly recipe that’s sure to become a staple in your meal planning. Our Diet Coke / Pepsi Max Chicken offers a sweet and sticky flavor profile with a low-calorie twist, making it a perfect choice for those counting calories or following Weight Watchers plans. This recipe is designed to be both flavorful and nutritious, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice taste for health.

Overview

Diet Coke / Pepsi Max Chicken is an inventive dish where the distinctive flavors of diet soda blend with savory chicken and vegetables. The result is a sticky, sweet sauce that envelops tender pieces of chicken, creating a satisfying meal that’s also friendly to various weight loss plans. With minimal preparation and cooking time, this dish is as convenient as it is delicious.

Equipment Needed

To make this recipe, you will need the following equipment:

  • Frying Pan or Skillet: For sautéing the chicken and vegetables.
  • Cutting Board and Knife: For dicing the chicken and chopping the vegetables.
  • Measuring Spoons and Cups: To measure out ingredients accurately.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring the ingredients in the pan.
  • Colander or Sieve: Optional, for draining the baby corn if needed.

Ingredients

Gather the following ingredients for a flavorful and Weight Watcher–friendly meal:

  • 2 Chicken Breasts: Diced into bite-sized pieces. Chicken breasts are a lean protein choice, perfect for a low-calorie dish.
  • 1/2 tsp Chinese 5 Spice: A blend of spices that adds a unique flavor to the chicken.
  • Sea Salt: To taste, for seasoning.
  • 1 Red Onion: Sliced. Adds a sweet and aromatic flavor.
  • 6 Mushrooms: Quartered. Adds a savory umami component.
  • 3 Cloves Garlic: Finely chopped. Enhances the overall flavor with a rich, aromatic quality.
  • 1.5 cm Fresh Ginger: Finely chopped. Adds a zesty, slightly spicy note.
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Puree: For a rich, tomato base.
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
  • 2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce: Provides a deep, umami flavor and color.
  • 1 tbsp Sherry Vinegar: Alternatively, use balsamic, white wine, red wine, or rice vinegar. Adds acidity and balance.
  • 1/2 Red Pepper: Cut into strips. Provides color and sweetness.
  • 1/2 Green Pepper: Cut into strips. Adds crunch and freshness.
  • 1/2 Yellow Pepper: Cut into strips. Offers a sweet and vibrant flavor.
  • 6 Baby Corn: Cut in half lengthways. Adds texture and a hint of sweetness.
  • 1 Chicken Stock Pot: Concentrated flavor enhancer.
  • 1/2 Chicken Stock Cube: For additional seasoning.
  • 1 Can Diet Coke or Pepsi Max: Provides a sweet base for the sauce without extra calories.
  • 5 Spring Onions: Roughly chopped. Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor.
  • Low-Calorie Cooking Spray: For sautéing without added fat.

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Start by dicing the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Slice the red onion, quarter the mushrooms, and finely chop the garlic and ginger. Cut the peppers into strips and halve the baby corn lengthways.
  2. Heat the Pan: Spray a frying pan or skillet generously with low-calorie cooking spray and heat gently over medium heat.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Add the diced chicken to the pan. Sprinkle with Chinese 5 spice and season with sea salt. Stir occasionally and cook until the chicken begins to brown and is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  4. Sauté Vegetables: Add a few more sprays of low-calorie cooking spray to the pan. Add the sliced onions, chopped garlic, ginger, and quartered mushrooms. Sauté until the vegetables start to soften and become aromatic.
  5. Add Remaining Vegetables: Add the sliced peppers and baby corn to the pan. Stir well to combine with the onions and mushrooms.
  6. Incorporate Tomato Puree and Sauces: Add the tomato puree, dark soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and vinegar to the pan. Stir until everything is well coated.
  7. Add Diet Soda: Pour in the can of Diet Coke or Pepsi Max. Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil. The soda will add a unique sweetness and contribute to the sauce’s sticky consistency.
  8. Simmer with Stock: Stir in the chicken stock pot and half a chicken stock cube. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
  9. Return Chicken to Pan: Once the sauce has started to thicken and become syrupy, return the cooked chicken to the pan. Stir to combine and coat the chicken with the sauce.
  10. Add Spring Onions: Stir in the chopped spring onions. They will add a fresh crunch and vibrant color to the dish.
  11. Final Simmer: Continue to simmer the mixture for an additional 10 minutes. Check the sauce’s consistency; if it’s not thick enough, allow it to simmer for a bit longer until it reaches the desired thickness.
  12. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
  13. Serve: Once the sauce is thickened and the chicken is heated through, serve the Diet Coke / Pepsi Max Chicken hot. It pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables, cauliflower rice, or a simple green salad.

Nutrition Information

For those monitoring their intake, here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving:

  • Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
  • Calories: 210 kcal
  • Protein: 25g
  • Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugars: 8g
  • Net Carbs: 13g

Weight Watchers Points

For those following Weight Watchers, this recipe is calculated to be:

  • Freestyle Points: 4 points per serving
  • SmartPoints: 4 points per serving
  • PointsPlus: 5 points per serving

Tips and Variations

  • Substitute Vinegars: If you don’t have sherry vinegar, feel free to use balsamic or any other vinegar you prefer. Just avoid standard white vinegar as it can be too harsh.
  • Adjusting Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can increase the amount of Diet Coke or add a small amount of a low-calorie sweetener.
  • Vegetable Variations: Feel free to include other vegetables like snap peas or broccoli for added nutrition and variety.
  • Thicker Sauce: For a thicker sauce, you can mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and stir it into the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.

Conclusion

Diet Coke / Pepsi Max Chicken is a flavorful and Weight Watcher–friendly dish that offers a unique twist on traditional chicken recipes. By incorporating diet soda into the sauce, you achieve a sweet and sticky glaze that’s both satisfying and low in calories. With easy preparation and cooking steps, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. Enjoy this creative, guilt-free dish and discover how enjoyable weight-conscious eating can be.