Chicken Adobo is a classic Filipino dish known for its savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors. This comfort food features tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices. It’s an easy-to-make, one-pot dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.
Appliances and Special Utensils
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 onion, sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2-3 boiled eggs (optional, for garnish)
- Chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
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Marinate Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, crushed garlic, bay leaves, and whole black peppercorns. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight, in the refrigerator.
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Sear Chicken: Heat the cooking oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Using tongs, remove the chicken from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and sear the chicken pieces until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
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Cook Aromatics: Add the sliced onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
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Simmer: Pour in the reserved marinade and add water to the pot. Stir in the brown sugar, if using. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
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Season: Taste the sauce and season with salt and ground black pepper as needed. If the sauce is too tangy, you can add a bit more brown sugar to balance the flavors.
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Optional Garnish: If using, add boiled eggs to the pot during the last 10 minutes of cooking to heat through.
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Serve: Remove the bay leaves and discard. Transfer the chicken and sauce to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice. Enjoy your flavorful Chicken Adobo!