Description
Filipino Style Chicken Adobo is a classic and flavorful Filipino dish that features tender chicken marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices, then simmered to perfection. This recipe offers a perfect balance of tangy, salty, and slightly sweet flavors, making it a comforting main course served best with steamed white rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup cane vinegar or white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
Cooking
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Steamed white rice for serving
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine soy sauce, vinegar, water, crushed garlic, bay leaves, and whole black peppercorns. Add the chicken pieces, making sure they are fully submerged in the marinade. Refrigerate and let marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat cooking oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the liquid. Brown the chicken pieces in the hot oil for about 2–3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden color.
- Simmer in Marinade: Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet with the browned chicken. Add the brown sugar if using. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cover and Cook: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer for 30 minutes. This slow cooking process allows the meat to become tender and the flavors to meld.
- Reduce the Sauce: Uncover the skillet and continue to simmer for another 10–15 minutes. This step helps the sauce to reduce and thicken, giving the chicken a glossy, flavorful glaze.
- Serve: Once the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened, serve hot with steamed white rice to enjoy the full traditional Filipino chicken adobo experience.
Notes
- Adobo can also be made using pork, a combination of meats, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
- For a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer uncovered for a longer time until it reaches desired consistency.
- Boiled eggs or potatoes may be added to the dish for variation according to family preferences.
