Filipino chicken adobo
Adobo is one of the most famous dishes of Filipino cuisine and many consider it an unofficial national dish. Its name is taken from a Spanish word meaning the marinade, but the method is an old Filipino one that predates the arrival of the Spanish: cooking meat in vinegar and salt to keep it safe in the hot climate.
Over time soy sauce entered, so adobo became chicken or meat cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and pepper until the sauce thickens, and it is served over white rice. Every Filipino home has its own version.
In a bowl, mix the chicken thighs with the soy sauce and crushed garlic and leave them to marinate for at least twenty minutes to absorb the flavor.
Drain the chicken from the marinade and keep the liquid aside. In a wide pot, heat the oil and brown the chicken pieces over medium-high heat until golden on both sides, then set them aside.
In the same fat, stir the onion for two minutes until it softens, and add the remaining garlic from the marinade until fragrant.
Return the chicken to the pot and add the vinegar, marinade liquid, bay leaves, peppercorns, and water. Let the liquid boil without stirring for five minutes until the sharpness of the vinegar cooks off, as this is a key step in the adobo dish.
Lower the heat, cover the pot, and let the chicken simmer over low heat for about twenty-five minutes, stirring once or twice, until the chicken is tender and fully done.
Uncover and raise the heat slightly until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken for a few minutes, and serve hot over white rice.
The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar, while the glycemic load (GL) measures how much a full serving raises it. Together they give the complete picture.
A low value (≤55) means a gradual rise in blood sugar — the most suitable range for diabetes and insulin resistance.
Glycemic load reflects the impact of the full serving. To lower it: take half a serving, or pair the recipe with a source of protein and fiber.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet per FDA food-label reference values — your daily needs may be higher or lower. Values are derived from the recipe's ingredients via the USDA database.
The most common problems when preparing Filipino Chicken Adobo, and how to fix them:
The liquid was stirred before it boiled. Add the vinegar then leave it to boil for five minutes without stirring until its sharpness cooks off before you start stirring.
Uncover and raise the heat at the end of cooking until part of the liquid evaporates and the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
The heat was high or the cooking was too long. Use low heat after boiling, and bone-in thighs stay more tender than breasts.
The amount of soy sauce was too much or its type was concentrated. Reduce the soy a little and make up for it with water, and do not add extra salt.
Served hot over white rice.
Keeps in a sealed container for three days, and its flavor increases the next day.
Freezes for up to two months, and is reheated after thawing in the refrigerator.
| Original Ingredient | Tested Substitute | Ratio | Flavor Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken thighs | Chicken breast | 1:1 | Lower in fat, and needs a shorter cooking time so it does not dry out |
| Cane vinegar | White vinegar or apple cider vinegar | 1:1 | White vinegar is very close, and apple cider vinegar is milder in acidity |
| Soy sauce | Low-sodium soy sauce | 1:1 | To reduce the salt while keeping the flavor |
| White rice | Brown rice | 1:1 | More fiber and a lower glycemic index |
| Ingredient | 4 servings | 2 servings | 8 servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 800 g | 400 g | 1600 g |
| Vinegar | 120 ml | 60 ml | 240 ml |
| Soy sauce | 60 ml | 30 ml | 120 ml |
Whole black peppercorns release their flavor slowly during slow cooking without making the dish spicy, unlike ground pepper. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius per food safety guidelines.
The EEINA app saves your favorite recipes, calculates them from their real ingredients, and shows your daily numbers toward your goal. Try it free now.
