All the ingredients for my version of this standout Filipino dish are simple, pantry staples, which I love. It’s sweet, sticky and tangy, and tastes even better if you can squeeze in an overnight marinating session.
WATCH THIS RECIPE
Chicken Adobo
PREP TIME
5 minutes + 30 minutes marinating
COOK TIME
1 hour 10 minutes
SERVES
4
Ingredients
8 chicken drumsticks
¾ cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup light soy sauce
3 tbsp brown sugar
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp finely grated ginger
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 brown onion, halved and sliced
1 long red chilli, finely sliced
4 bay leaves
¼ cup sliced spring onion (scallions)
sea salt
Steps
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Whisk together the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, pepper, ginger and half the chopped garlic. Place the chicken in a large bowl and pour over the vinegar mixture. Toss to coat. Cover and set aside in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes.
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Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large, heavy-based pan over high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade and cook in batches (about 3-4 minutes each side) until golden brown. Reserve the marinade for later. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
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Place the pan back on medium-high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring for about 5 minutes or until the onions have coloured and are soft. Add the garlic and chilli and cook for another minute. Add the chicken pieces, reserved marinade, bay leaves and ¼ cup water. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Transfer chicken pieces to a large bowl or platter. Place sauce over medium-high heat and simmer for 15 minutes to thicken slightly. Pour sauce over chicken pieces and scatter over the spring onion.
Simply Outstanding
I have recently been gifted the recipe book, this was the first dish I have tried to cook… simply outstanding!! Can’t wait to try something else.
Amazingly Flavourful Dinner
Delicious new dins. Filipino chicken adobo from one of my favourite cooks – Thai / Aussie girl Marion. Was a bit concerned about all that vinegar. Needed have been, as it mellowed completely with cooking. Made it with thighs, as thighs are my number one chicken choice. Doubled the recipe so leftovers for another day. Yum yum yum!
Amazing, never had a dish like it before!
My husband and I have made this a few times now and every time it is equally delicious! So easy to make too. Yes, it takes a bit longer than some other recipes to cook but you can do other things like it’s simmering away. I can’t wait to make this for relatives! The flavour is wonderful and chicken is so tender.