Filipino Chicken Adobo (Flavour Kapow!)
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
35 mins
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Marinating
20 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
350 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Filipino
Filipino Chicken Adobo (Flavour Kapow!)
Description
Filipino Chicken Adobo is a stew of chicken thighs marinated in a blend of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves to infuse bold flavors before simmering. The marinade’s vinegar and soy sauce create a balance of acidity and saltiness, while brown sugar adds subtle sweetness and black pepper brings warmth.
The cooking method involves searing the marinated chicken to develop a browned surface, then simmering it with garlic, onion, the reserved marinade, water, sugar, and pepper. The sauce is gently reduced without stirring, allowing it to thicken and coat the chicken in a jam-like syrup texture. Adjusting the thickness of the sauce by removing the chicken and continuing to simmer concentrates the flavors further.
This adobo is tender and richly flavored, with the chicken thighs’ fat contributing to the sauce's body. Traditionally served with white rice, the dish makes a hearty meal with a balance of tang, salt, and a slight sweetness from the brown sugar.
Using thighs is recommended for maintaining flavor and texture; if bone-in or other cuts are used, cooking times and water quantities should be adjusted. The reduced sauce can also be saved and used as a strong-flavored condiment or fried rice seasoning.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 750g / 1.5 lb chicken thigh fillet , boneless and skinless (5 - 6 pieces) (Note 1)
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- 1/3 cup (85ml) soy sauce , ordinary all purpose or light (not dark soy sauce, Note 2)
- 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 4 bay leaves fresh or 3 dried
For cooking
- 2 tbsp neutral cooking oil separated (vegetable, canola or peanut, generic cooking oil
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 brown onion diced, small
- 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) water
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp black pepper sub 2 tsp coarse cracked pepper, whole
Serving:
- 2 green onion sliced (garnish, or scallions
Instructions
- Combine Chicken and Marinade ingredients in a bowl. Marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to overnight.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade) and place in the pan. Sear both sides until browned – about 1 minute on each side. Do not cook the chicken all the way through.
- Remove chicken skillet and set aside.
- Heat the remaining oil in skillet. Add garlic and onion, cook 1 1/2 minutes.
- Add the reserved marinade, water, sugar and black pepper. Bring it to a simmer then turn heat down to medium high. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Add chicken smooth side down. Simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes (no need to stir), turning chicken at around 15 minutes, until the sauce reduces down to a thick jam-like syrup.
- If the sauce isn't thick enough, remove chicken onto a plate and let the sauce simmer by itself - it will thicken much quicker - then return chicken to the skillet to coat in the glaze.
- Coat chicken in glaze then serve over rice. Pictured in post as a healthy dinner plate (415 calories) with cauliflower rice and Ginger Smashed Cucumbers.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for better fat content and flavor; bone-in thighs, wings, or drumsticks can be used but require more water and longer simmering.
- Substitute with chicken breast by adding oil, cooking breast separately, then reducing sauce to a glaze for coating.
- Use all-purpose or light soy sauce; avoid dark soy sauce to prevent overly intense flavor.
- Reserve leftover sauce to flavor fried rice or other dishes as it remains strongly flavored.
- Consider serving with cauliflower rice and smashed cucumbers for a lighter dinner option.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 350 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 407g | |
| Calories | 350cal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 178mg | 59% |
| Sodium | 1458mg | 61% |
| Potassium | 597mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 59IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 108mg | 11% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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