Go Back Email Link
+ servings
Filipino Chicken Adobo
Print Recipe Add to Collection
No ratings yet

Filipino Chicken Adobo

Filipino Chicken Adobo is the national dish of the Philippines and like all traditional dishes, there are many variations – including different proteins like pork and beef. Fundamentally though, the key ingredients are the right balance of soy sauce, vinegar, black pepper and sugar that create an incredibly sticky glaze that has a depth of flavour like it’s been slow cooked – but it’s not!
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chicken, Filipino
Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients

CHICKEN AND MARINADE:

  • 750 g / 1.5 lb chicken thigh fillets boneless and skinless (5 - 6 pieces) (Note 1)
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 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

COOKING:

  • 2 tbsp oil separated (vegetable, canola or peanut)
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 small brown onion diced
  • 1 1/2 cups 375 ml water
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp whole black pepper sub 2 tsp coarse cracked pepper

SERVING:

  • 2 green onions/scallions sliced (garnish)

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.

Video