Looking for a hearty Filipino dish? This chicken afritada recipe is packed with tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, hotdogs, and a rich tomato sauce. Easy, delicious, and perfect for family dinners.
There’s something magical about a dish that brings people together at the table. For many Filipino households, chicken afritada recipe is that dish. It’s a tomato-based stew, rich and flavorful, with tender chicken simmered alongside vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and green peas. The addition of hotdogs gives it a playful touch that kids adore, while the thick, savory sauce pairs perfectly with a steaming plate of rice.
I love making afritada because it’s a recipe that’s not only simple but also versatile. You can serve it at casual family dinners or dress it up a little for a gathering. Whenever I prepare this dish, it reminds me of the joy of sharing good food with loved ones. If you’ve been searching for a cozy, home-cooked meal that’s easy to master, you’ll fall in love with this chicken afritada recipe. And if you enjoy comfort food like this, you might also love my Puerto Rican chicken soup recipe, another hearty dish that warms both the belly and the heart.
Table of contents
Main Ingredients for Chicken Afritada Recipe
To create the best chicken afritada recipe, let’s start with the essential ingredients. These are the building blocks that give the dish its signature flavor.
- Chicken (1 ½ lbs, cut into serving pieces): Choose bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks for richer flavor. The bones release natural juices into the stew, giving it a deeper taste.
- Potatoes (2 pieces, cubed): They absorb the sauce beautifully, adding a hearty bite.
- Carrots (1 piece, sliced): Carrots bring a subtle sweetness that balances the tangy tomato sauce.
- Tomato Sauce (8 oz): The heart of the recipe. A good-quality tomato sauce ensures a flavorful and thick stew.
- Hotdogs (3 pieces, sliced): This playful ingredient is common in Filipino-style cooking. It adds a savory, kid-friendly twist.
- Green Peas (½ cup): Bright and colorful, peas bring freshness to the dish.
- Bay Leaves (3 pieces): Essential for that earthy, aromatic undertone.
- Red Onion (1 piece, chopped): Adds depth and sweetness once sautéed.
- Garlic (2 teaspoons, minced): A must for authentic Filipino flavor.
- Chicken Broth (3 cups): Builds the base of the stew and keeps the chicken tender.
- Sugar (½ teaspoon): Just enough to balance the acidity of the tomato sauce.
- Cooking Oil (3 tablespoons): Used for sautéing the aromatics and browning the chicken.
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste): Simple seasonings that bring everything together.
These ingredients create a well-balanced dish: savory, slightly sweet, tangy, and satisfying. And if you’re looking for another tomato-forward chicken and rice dish, try my arroz con pollo peruano, a Peruvian classic with a comforting twist.
Additional Ingredients and Substitutes
Sometimes, you may not have every single ingredient on hand. Don’t worry, this chicken afritada recipe is flexible. Here are a few extras and substitutes you can try:
- Bell Peppers: Red or green bell peppers add a burst of color and a sweet crunch.
- Fresh Tomatoes: If you prefer a lighter flavor, replace canned tomato sauce with fresh tomatoes, sautéed until soft.
- Chorizo or Longganisa: Swap hotdogs with Filipino longganisa or Spanish-style chorizo for a smoky twist.
- Frozen Vegetables: If fresh peas aren’t available, frozen peas or mixed vegetables will work just fine.
- Tomato Paste: Want a thicker sauce? Stir in a spoonful of tomato paste for extra richness.
- Fish Sauce: A splash of fish sauce deepens the flavor and adds that authentic Filipino touch.
The beauty of this dish is that it’s forgiving. You can adjust it to suit your taste or what’s in your pantry.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Chicken Afritada Recipe
Every cook has little secrets to make a dish truly shine. Here are some tried-and-true tips to help your chicken afritada recipe turn out delicious every single time:
- Brown the Chicken First: Don’t skip this step. Browning the chicken in oil before adding the sauce locks in flavor and gives the meat a beautiful golden crust.
- Fry the Potatoes and Carrots Separately: If you add raw potatoes and carrots directly to the stew, they can turn mushy. Lightly fry them first, then add them to the pot. This keeps them firm and flavorful.
- Simmer Slowly: Afritada tastes best when it’s simmered gently. Letting it cook on low heat allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken naturally.
- Balance the Flavors: Tomato sauce can be tangy. A touch of sugar balances it out, while salt and black pepper bring harmony. Taste as you go.
- Add Vegetables at the Right Time: Green peas and bell peppers should go in toward the end so they stay bright and fresh.
- Use Bone-In Chicken: Boneless chicken works, but bone-in pieces make the stew richer. If you’re pressed for time, boneless thighs are a good compromise.
- Let It Rest: Just like with soups, afritada tastes even better after resting for a bit. If you can, make it ahead and reheat before serving.
- Pair with Rice: This dish was made to be eaten with steamed rice. Or try it with a comforting bowl of marry me chicken and rice if you’d like another saucy chicken-and-rice combination that’s just as satisfying.
Cooking isn’t just about following a recipe. It’s about finding little ways to make it your own. Try these tips, and your chicken afritada recipe will have that extra touch of homemade magic.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to bring your chicken afritada recipe to life:
- Heat 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pot.
- Sauté the chopped onion until soft, then add the minced garlic. Cook until fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces. Cook until lightly browned on all sides.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth. Stir well. Add the bay leaves.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer for about 25 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and carrots. Continue cooking until they are tender.
- Stir in the hotdogs and green peas. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Season with sugar, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
- Remove bay leaves before serving. Enjoy with freshly cooked rice.
Simple, hearty, and packed with flavor, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.
Additional Guide : Variations and Cooking Styles
Want to give your chicken afritada recipe a unique twist? Here are some fun variations to try:
- Spicy Afritada: Add chopped chili peppers or a spoonful of chili flakes for heat.
- Afritada with Coconut Milk: For a creamy, tropical touch, stir in half a cup of coconut milk.
- Slow Cooker Afritada: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and let it cook on low for 6–7 hours. This method makes the chicken extra tender.
- Afritada with Pineapple: A few pineapple chunks add a sweet and tangy surprise.
- Seafood Afritada: Swap chicken with fish fillets or shrimp for a lighter version.
If you’d like a lighter side to pair with this, consider serving afritada with a fresh Mexican chicken salad. It balances the rich stew with crisp, refreshing flavors.
FAQs About Chicken Afritada Recipe
What are the ingredients of chicken afritada?
A classic chicken afritada includes chicken pieces, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, green peas, tomato sauce, garlic, onion, and bay leaves. Some versions also add sliced hotdogs for extra flavor and color. These ingredients come together to create a savory, slightly sweet, and hearty Filipino stew.
What is the secret to a great afritada?
The secret lies in building flavor slowly. Sauté your garlic and onions until fragrant, brown the chicken to seal in juices, and let the tomato sauce simmer until it develops a rich taste. Another trick is to fry the potatoes and carrots lightly before adding them, this keeps them from turning mushy while enhancing the flavor.
What is the difference between chicken caldereta and afritada?
Both are Filipino tomato-based stews, but they have key differences. Afritada is milder and uses simple ingredients like chicken, potatoes, and carrots. Caldereta, on the other hand, is richer, often cooked with beef or goat, and includes liver spread or cheese for a deeper, bolder flavor. Afritada is more everyday fare, while caldereta often makes an appearance at celebrations.
How to marinate chicken for afritada?
Traditionally, chicken for afritada doesn’t require marinating since the stew builds flavor as it simmers. However, for extra taste, you can marinate the chicken in a mix of soy sauce, calamansi (or lemon), and a little pepper for 30 minutes before cooking. This adds a subtle tanginess that complements the tomato sauce beautifully.
Conclusion
This chicken afritada recipe is more than just a dish. It’s comfort in a bowl, a taste of tradition, and a reminder of how food connects us to family and culture. With its tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and flavorful tomato sauce, it’s the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary meal into something special.
So, grab your pot, gather your ingredients, and give this recipe a try. I promise it’ll be worth it. And if you’re craving something crispy instead, my chicken tenders mcd copycat recipe will hit the spot for a fun and casual snack.
Chicken Afritada Recipe
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken cut into serving pieces
- 2 pieces potato cubed
- 1 piece carrot sliced
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 3 pieces hotdog sliced
- 1/2 cup green peas
- 3 pieces bay leaves
- 1 piece red onion chopped
- 2 tsp garlic minced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 3 tbsp cooking oil
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pot.
- Sauté the chopped onion until soft, then add the minced garlic. Cook until fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces. Cook until lightly browned on all sides.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth. Stir well. Add the bay leaves.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer for about 25 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and carrots. Continue cooking until they are tender.
- Stir in the hotdogs and green peas. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Season with sugar, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
- Remove bay leaves before serving. Enjoy with freshly cooked rice.