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–+ servings
Filipino chicken adobo in a skillet.

Best Filipino Chicken Adobo

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Filipino Chicken Adobo, the national dish of the Philippines, is made with chicken simmered in a tangy and savory soy sauce-vinegar marinade. This simple recipe allows you to enjoy juicy, tender chicken adobo using common pantry staples.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Philippines
Diet Gluten Free, Halal, Hindu, Kosher, Low Lactose
Keyword Asian chicken dinner, authentic, chicken, chicken adobo, Filipino chicken adobo, whole chicken
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
marinating time 1 hour
Servings 4 people
Calories 591
Author Holly Ford

Ingredients

  • 2 lb (900 g) bone-in chicken pieces or chicken thighs and drumsticks
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp whole peppercorn
  • 5 bay leaves
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
  • 1 green onion chopped, optional garnish

Instructions

  • In a large zip bag, combine soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, peppercorns, and mix well. Add chicken pieces and bay leaves, then toss to ensure they are coated with the marinade. Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to overnight.
  • Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or pot. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing most of the marinade to drip back into the bag (reserve the marinade). Place the chicken in the hot pan and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes, until it becomes slightly brown and golden. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Add the reserved marinade, including the bay leaves, to the skillet. Pour water over the chicken, and bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes uncovered until the sauce reduces down to a thick glaze. Flip the chicken to the other side while simmering.
  • If the sauce isn't thick enough, remove the chicken onto a plate and let the sauce simmer on its own—it will thicken more quickly. Then, return the chicken to the skillet and coat it with the glaze.
  • Serve the adobo chicken over fluffy white rice, and garnish with chopped green onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 591kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 170mg | Sodium: 1814mg | Potassium: 530mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 362IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 3mg