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Chicken Adobo Recipe
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5 from 2 votes

Chicken Adobo Recipe

This Filipino chicken adobo recipe is easy to make with marinated chicken thighs seared then simmered in a delicious brown sauce, huge on flavor.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Marinating30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: chicken thighs, soy sauce
Servings: 4
Calories: 384kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN ADOBO MARINADE

  • 2 pounds chicken thighs boneless, skinless – fat trimmed
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons black peppercorns coarsely ground, if desired
  • 2 dried bay leaves use fresh if you can

FOR COOKING

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 spicy chili chopped (optional, for spicy version)
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • For Serving. White rice sliced green onions, chili flakes

Instructions

  • Add the chicken to a large bowl. Whisk together the marinade ingredients, then pour over the chicken. Cover and marinate the chicken at least 30 minutes, or overnight for more flavor penetration.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pan or skillet to medium-high heat.
  • Remove each piece of chicken from the marinade, letting excess marinade drip back into the bowl. Reserve the marinade.
  • Sear the chicken in the hot pan 2 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set onto a plate. Set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in the hot pan and add the onion and peppers (if using). Cook for 3-4 minutes to soften.
  • Add the garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring.
  • Add the reserved marinade, water, brown sugar and bay leaves Stir.
  • Tuck the chicken into the pan and sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens to a syrupy glaze. Baste several times during cooking, if desired. If needed, remove the chicken and cook the sauce longer until properly reduced, then add chicken to warm through.
  • Serve with rice and garnish. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 974mg | Potassium: 760mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 178IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 3mg