Prepare the collard greens by removing the stems and then chopping the leaves into one to two-inch pieces (or use bagged, pre-chopped collard greens). Place the collard greens in a colander and rinse well.
Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a large soup pot along with the cooking oil. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent.
Add the washed collard greens, ham hock, sugar, red pepper, black pepper, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir briefly to combine.
Place a lid on the pot and allow it to come up to a simmer. Once simmering, turn the heat down to low and let the green simmer for one hour, with a lid, stirring occasionally.
After simmering for one hour, taste the greens and see if they are simmered to your desired tenderness. If not, simmer longer.
Remove the ham hock and pull the meat from the bone. Chop the ham into small pieces, then stir it back into the greens.
Give the collard greens a final taste and adjust the salt, sugar, or other seasonings to your liking. Serve hot with your favorite meal!