Chicken Adobo is a tangy, salty, sweet, and spicy Filipino dish. It’s easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients. It’s sure to become a family favorite!

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What is Chicken Adobo?

Chicken Adobo is the national dish of the Philippines. It can be made with various types of meat, such as chicken, pork, or even seafood, as well as vegetables. It’s not a spicy dish, so you can even feed it to your kiddos, and they will love it! If you’re on the hunt for more easy and delicious Filipino recipes, try this pancit too!!

Ingredients Needed for Chicken Adobo

The list of ingredients for Chicken Adobo is short, and you likely have most of them in your pantry. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact measurements.

• Bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks: Provides a juicy, tender protein that is the base of his dish.
• Olive oil: Helps coat the chicken and prevent it from sticking.
• White wine vinegar: Tenderizes the chicken and adds an acidic flavor.
• Soy sauce: Gives the dish a delicious umami flavor.
• Minced garlic: Provides a robust flavor that compliments the chicken and other seasonings.
• Brown sugar: The sweetness in the brown sugar compliments the salty soy sauce and acidic vinegar.
• Coarse black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and contributes to the signature flavor of the dish.
• Bay leaves Provide an earthy flavor that enhances the aroma of the dish.
• Diced onion: Adds flavor and texture as it cooks in the sauce.
• Diced green onion: As a garnish, this adds color, flavor, and an aromatic note.

Filipino Chicken Adobo Recipe

Putting together this chicken adobo recipe is simple. You can prep everything beforehand, so all you have to do is cook some rice, and then dinner is ready!

1. Whisk: In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, brown sugar, pepper, and bay leaves.
2. Marinate: Add the chicken thighs and drumsticks to the marinade and then marinate for 1 hour.
3. Brown Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Using tongs, remove the chicken from the marinade and place it skin-side down in the pan. Save the marinade—do not throw it away! Brown the chicken on both sides, then remove and set aside on a clean plate.
4. Saute: Using the same skillet, add the diced onion and saute until tender. Pour in the reserved marinade. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat and then cook for about 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
5. Simmer: Return the chicken to the sauce in the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, then cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Simmer until the sauce is reduced to about half the amount.
6. Garnish and Serve: Discard the bay leaves. Spoon the sauce over the top of the chicken and garnish with green onions. Then, serve your chicken adobo over rice!