Authentic Savory Chicken Adobo Recipe: The Heart of Filipino Comfort

Experience the deep, umami-rich flavors of a classic chicken adobo recipe that defines Filipino comfort food. Furthermore, the combination of tangy vinegar and salty soy sauce creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. This dish fills your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of garlic and peppercorns.

Authentic Savory Chicken Adobo Recipe: The Heart of Filipino Comfort

Recipe by Chef HarperCourse: Main CourseCuisine: FilipinoDifficulty: Intermediate

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Calories

420

kcal

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Chicken thighs and drumsticks

• 1/2 cup Soy sauce

• 1/3 cup White vinegar or cane vinegar

• 6-8 Garlic cloves, smashed

• 1 tbsp Whole black peppercorns

• 3 Dried bay leaves

• 1 tsp Brown sugar

• 2 tbsp Cooking oil

• 1 cup Water

Directions

• In a large bowl, marinate the chicken in soy sauce and smashed garlic for at least 30 minutes.
• Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden brown.
• Pour in the remaining marinade, water, peppercorns, and bay leaves, then bring to a gentle boil.
• Reduce heat to low, add the vinegar, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes without stirring.
• Cover and cook for 25 minutes until the chicken reaches a soft, tender richness.
• Uncover and increase heat slightly to reduce the liquid into a thick, glossy sauce shine.

Notes

• Chef’s Secret: Do not stir the vinegar immediately after adding it to allow the raw acidity to mellow.
• Storage: This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen in the refrigerator.
• Substitution: You can use apple cider vinegar if Filipino cane vinegar is unavailable.

Exploring the rich flavors of this traditional dish is a rewarding culinary journey. If you enjoy versatile poultry meals, you might also like these rotisserie chicken recipes for your weekly meal prep. Additionally, look at our shredded chicken guide to simplify your busy weeknight dinners. Perfectly balanced meals are the key to a happy kitchen.

For those who love outdoor cooking, try these smoky grilled chicken ideas that pair beautifully with rice. To understand the cultural history of adobo, explore the official encyclopedia entry. Furthermore, you can find a popular version of this famous chicken recipe online or follow this international guide to adobo to perfect your kitchen technique.