The Philippines, takes pride in its diverse cuisines. Among the array of Filipino dishes, one that stands out is the Philippine or Filipino Adobo.
For many, especially foreigners, it is not a surprise that when asked about Filipino food, the iconic Philippine Adobo often springs to mind.
But, it’s essential to note that Philippine Adobo differs from the Mexican adobo, which is a condiment or cooking sauce, as it represents an entire dish on its own.
In this Filipino recipe, we will delve into the specifics of cooking Chicken Adobo. Although other variations like Pork or Fish Adobo exist, each with its unique taste, we’ll focus on Chicken Adobo for now.
It’s important to be precise when discussing Adobo, given the subtle differences in flavor that stem from the choice of meat.
Without further ado, let’s explore the ingredients needed to prepare Chicken Adobo.
Chicken Adobo recipe & Ingredients
- 1 kilogram of chicken cut-ups (you can choose from breast, thigh, wing, or a combination of parts)
- 2 tablespoons of cooking oil (vegetable or canola oil works well)
- 6 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons of vinegar
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 1 cup of water
- 5 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns, slightly crushed
- 1 teaspoon of packed brown sugar
- 1/2 chicken cube seasoning for added chicken flavor (depends on your choice or what’s available)
- Pineapple tidbits (optional)
Now that we have all the ingredients assembled, let’s move on to the cooking process.
- First, heat oil in a pan and sauté garlic and onions. Then add the chicken to the pan and sear on all sides until you achieve a slight browning in the chicken skin. Caution: avoid over-searing to prevent overcooking the chicken.
- Next, pour in the vinegar, followed by the soy sauce, ensuring the chicken is well coated. Then add water, crushed whole black peppercorns, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the ½ chicken cube and reduce the heat to simmer.
- Cover the pan and continue to simmer for at least 10 minutes. Optionally, flip the chicken on each side every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Gently pierce the chicken; when it feels soft and cooked, add sugar. Allow it to caramelize and mix with the adobo broth.
- And voila, you’re done! Serve and enjoy your Chicken Adobo.
Bon appétit!
