Easy Chicken Adobo (Filipino-Style Braised Chicken) Recipe

Chicken Adobo is a quintessential Filipino dish known for its bold flavors and simplicity. It’s a staple in Filipino cuisine and holds a special place in the hearts and palates of Filipinos around the world. Adobo refers to the cooking method of marinating meat in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices, then simmering it until tender.

Here are some key aspects of Chicken Adobo:

1. Ingredients: The basic ingredients for Chicken Adobo include chicken pieces (commonly thighs and legs), vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. Additional ingredients may vary depending on personal preferences and regional variations.
2. Marination: Chicken pieces are typically marinated in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. This marinade infuses the chicken with rich flavors and helps tenderize the meat.
3. Cooking Process: After marinating, the chicken is then simmered in the marinade until it’s fully cooked and tender. The cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, creating a savory and aromatic dish.
4. Variations: While Chicken Adobo is traditionally made with chicken, the same cooking method can be applied to other proteins such as pork, beef, or even seafood. Each variation brings its own unique twist to the dish.
5. Serving: Chicken Adobo is commonly served with steamed rice, allowing the flavorful sauce to be soaked up by the rice. It’s often garnished with chopped green onions or fresh cilantro for added freshness and color.
6. Adaptability: One of the great things about Chicken Adobo is its versatility. It can be easily adjusted to suit different tastes by varying the ingredients or adjusting the cooking time and method.

Chicken Adobo is not only a delicious and comforting dish but also a symbol of Filipino culinary heritage and tradition. Its simplicity, bold flavors, and adaptability have made it a beloved favorite not only in Filipino households but also among food enthusiasts worldwide. Whether enjoyed as a weekday meal or served at special gatherings, it continues to delight and satisfy the appetites of those who taste its savory goodness.

Easy Chicken Adobo (Filipino-Style Braised Chicken) Recipe

Recipe by Yummy FoodCourse: MainCuisine: FilipinoDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

Chicken Adobo is a quintessential Filipino dish known for its bold flavors and simplicity.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon (15ml) canola oil

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken legs, separated into thighs and drumsticks (about 2 1/2 pounds; 1.15kg)

• salt, to taste

• 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

• 2 whole fresh bay leaves (or 3 whole dried bay leaves)

• 1 1/2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns

• 1 1/4 cups (300ml) water

• 1 cup (240ml) soy sauce

• 1 cup (240ml) vinegar (white cane vinegar or apple cider vinegar)

Directions

• In a large bowl or resealable bag, combine the chicken, soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, black peppercorns, and bay leaves. Mix well, ensuring the chicken is coated with the marinade. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or even overnight for more flavorful results.
• Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later use.
• Add the chicken pieces to the hot skillet and sear them on each side until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. This step helps develop a nice crust on the chicken.
• Once the chicken is browned, pour in the reserved marinade and add water to the skillet. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 40-45 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Check occasionally and skim off any excess fat or impurities that may rise to the surface.
• Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed. The soy sauce already provides saltiness, so you may not need much additional salt.
• Once the chicken is tender and the flavors have developed, remove the bay leaves and serve the Chicken Adobo with steamed rice.
• Chicken Adobo is best enjoyed when the flavors have had time to meld, so it tastes even better as leftovers the next day.

Notes

• Chicken Adobo is best enjoyed when the flavors have had time to meld, so it tastes even better as leftovers the next day.

I hope you enjoy the delicious Filipino flavors of Chicken Adobo! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to let me know!

Other CHICKEN recipes may be found HERE.

IMAGE SOURCE: dbgg1979 on flickr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons