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+ servings

Easy Filipino Chicken Adobo (Authentic Family Recipe)

Cooked chicken adobo on a plate with rice
This authentic Filipino chicken adobo has been passed down for over 50 years. It’s bold, tangy, and incredibly simple, made with pantry staples and cooked on the stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot for an easy, flavor-packed meal.
Beth
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 2 inch piece of ginger root
  • 1 large onion (diced)
  • 5 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1-2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 4-6 bone-in chicken thighs
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 oz soy sauce
  • 3 oz white vinegar
  • 4 oz chicken broth (or water)
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Peel ginger and julienne (slice long ways, then chop into matchstick size pieces). Don't worry about making them perfect. Dice onion and mince garlic.
  • Pour olive oil into a large deep skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook for 3 minutes per side until browned. Putting too much in the pan at one time will prevent the chicken from browning properly, so cook in 2 smaller batches if necessary. Remove browned chicken to a clean plate and reduce heat to medium.
  • Add onion to pan and cook stirring occasionally for 2 minutes, then add ginger. Continue cooking and stirring for 1-2 minutes. Onion should be slightly browned and a little soft. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add chicken and any juices from the plate back to pan.
  • Pour in broth (or water), vinegar, and soy sauce, then stir in brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, covered, for 40 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender, turning chicken after 20 minutes. The chicken is done when it easily falls apart when poked with a utensil.
  • Carefully discard any skin and bones (chicken will be hot!) and serve over rice with plenty of pan juice!

Slow Cooker:

  • Peel ginger and julienne (slice long ways, then chop into matchstick size pieces). Dice onion and mince garlic. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.
  • Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours
  • Carefully discard skin and bones and serve over rice with juice from slow cooker.

Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot:

  • Peel ginger and julienne (slice long ways, then chop into matchstick size pieces). Dice onion and mince garlic. Add all ingredients to the pressure cooker.
  • Attach lid, close pressure valve and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes for thawed chicken and 30 minutes for frozen. Natural release for 10 minutes (just let it sit without touching it). Release rest of pressure by flipping the valve open being very cautious of any remaining hot steam. Remove lid and carefully discard skin and bones. Serve over rice with juice from pressure cooker.

Nutrition

Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 935mg | Potassium: 322mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

Disclaimer: All nutrition values are per serving and approximate. They will vary depending on products and quantities used.

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