This Filipino chicken adobo recipe creates tender, flavorful chicken simmered with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and black pepper. Perfect with rice and easy to prepare at home. A beloved Filipino classic that every cook should try at least once.
There is nothing quite like a comforting Filipino chicken adobo recipe simmering away in the kitchen. The smell of soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaf filling the air instantly feels like home. If you’re new to Filipino cooking, adobo is one of the easiest and most beloved dishes to start with. Every Filipino household has its own version and each family proudly swears theirs is the best. That’s part of the magic, don’t you think?
This dish balances savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors in a way that’s deeply satisfying. It’s simple enough for busy weeknights yet special enough for gatherings. If you enjoy Filipino comfort food, you might also love classic favorites like the chicken afritada recipe, another traditional stew that warms the heart and the belly.
So grab your apron and join me in the kitchen. Let’s make one of the greatest dishes Filipino cuisine has to offer.
Table of contents
Main Ingredients for the Filipino Chicken Adobo Recipe
To create the best Filipino chicken adobo recipe, you only need a few simple ingredients. These staples come together to form a flavorful sauce that coats every bite perfectly. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken thighs (boneless and skinless)
Thighs are ideal because they stay juicy while simmering. They absorb flavor beautifully and hold up well during cooking. - Soy sauce
This provides the deep umami backbone of the dish. Regular soy sauce is perfect for this recipe. - Vinegar
White vinegar adds the signature tang. While it may smell strong at first, it mellows during cooking and becomes perfectly balanced. - Garlic
Garlic is one of the stars of this dish, infusing the sauce with fragrance and flavor. - Bay leaves
These contribute an earthy aroma that defines traditional adobo. - Black pepper
Whole peppercorns add a sharp bite that enhances each mouthful.
With just these core ingredients, you already have the foundation of an authentic Filipino favorite. If you want to discover more Filipino dishes that use staple pantry ingredients, browse our collection of chicken recipe Pinoy meals for more inspiration.
Additional Ingredients
While the traditional recipe is simple, there are a few optional ingredients that enrich the flavor and texture of your Filipino chicken adobo recipe.
Consider adding:
- Brown sugar
A tablespoon or two balances the acidity of the vinegar and rounds out the taste. - Onion
A small diced onion softens into the sauce and adds natural sweetness. - Oil for sautéing
Canola, vegetable, or peanut oil helps sear the chicken and soften the garlic and onions. - Water or broth
Water works well, but chicken broth adds extra body and richness.
Feel free to substitute based on what you have. Coconut vinegar, rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or cane vinegar work beautifully. You can also add a touch of fish sauce for deeper umami. For a dish that pairs wonderfully with the same staple ingredients, try serving this alongside our savory Blackstone chicken fried rice.
Expert Tips for the Filipino Chicken Adobo Recipe
Making this Filipino chicken adobo recipe is simple, but a few helpful tips can truly elevate the final dish.
- Marinate whenever possible
Even 20 minutes helps, but overnight takes flavor to a whole new level. The chicken absorbs the soy-vinegar blend deeply and cooks up incredibly flavorful. - Don’t be alarmed by the vinegar smell early on
When adobo first comes to a simmer, the vinegar aroma can be sharp. This is normal and fades as the sauce reduces. - Brown the chicken first
A quick sear develops flavor and helps the chicken stay juicy during simmering. - Use whole peppercorns if you can
They soften as they simmer and add that signature Filipino bite. - Allow the sauce to reduce naturally
Don’t rush this part. The sauce should transform into a beautiful glaze. If it’s still thin, remove the chicken and reduce the liquid alone. - Taste before serving
Some like their adobo tangier, sweeter, saltier, or pepperier. Adjust sugar, soy, or vinegar based on your personal preference. - Adobo gets better the next day
This is one of those dishes that deepens in flavor overnight. The leftovers are a treat.
If you enjoy hearty one-pot meals packed with flavor, you may also want to explore other global favorites such as jollof rice and chicken, which offers a rich blend of spices and bold tomato flavors.
Cooking is personal and adobo is flexible. Feel free to tweak the recipe until it becomes your family’s version.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s walk through the steps for making this dish easily at home:
- Begin by combining the chicken, soy sauce, bay leaves, vinegar, and garlic in a bowl. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or longer if you have the time.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the liquid, and brown the chicken on both sides. Searing enhances flavor and helps the texture stay tender during cooking.
- Once browned, transfer the chicken to a plate. Add a little more oil to the pan and sauté onions and garlic until softened. This builds a richer base for the sauce.
- Pour in the reserved marinade, water, sugar, and black pepper. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and cook uncovered for about 20 to 25 minutes. Turn the pieces halfway through to ensure even cooking. If the sauce is too thin by the end, remove the chicken and continue simmering until it thickens into a glossy glaze.
- Serve hot over rice and enjoy every bite.
Additional Guide
Once you master the classic foundation, there are countless fun variations to try. Some families add coconut milk, resulting in a creamy, slightly sweet sauce that pairs perfectly with steamed rice. You can also crisp up the chicken after simmering by quickly pan-frying it in another skillet until the edges are golden.
If you love tender, fall-off-the-bone meat, consider using bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks. Just increase the cooking time slightly to ensure they become perfectly tender. You can also add potatoes or hard-boiled eggs, which soak up the sauce and become incredibly flavorful.
For those who enjoy rice-based bowls and customizable meal prep, check out our flavor-packed chicken fajita rice bowl. It’s another great weeknight option that uses simple ingredients in a fresh way.
Adobo is endlessly adaptable, so don’t hesitate to make it your own.
FAQs About the Filipino Chicken Adobo Recipe
Why did my adobo come out too salty?
This can happen if the sauce reduces too much. Add a splash of water and simmer again. You can also balance things with a bit more sugar.
What are the ingredients of Filipino adobo?
Traditional Filipino adobo is made with chicken or pork simmered in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. Many home cooks also add onions, sugar, or broth to balance the flavor and enhance the sauce. It’s a simple recipe with bold results.
What are the 5 ingredients in adobo?
If we reduce adobo to its core essentials, the five key ingredients are:
1. Soy sauce
2. Vinegar
3. Garlic
4. Bay leaves
5. Black pepper
These base ingredients create adobo’s signature savory, tangy, and aromatic profile.
What is the secret to a good adobo?
The secret to a great adobo is in the balance and slow simmer. Marinating the meat helps build deep flavor, and simmering uncovered allows the sauce to reduce naturally into a rich glaze. Adjusting the balance of vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar to your own taste is also key, since every Filipino household has its own perfect version.
Conclusion
I hope this Filipino chicken adobo recipe brings comfort and joy to your kitchen, just as it has to mine. It’s the kind of meal that draws people to the table and reminds us that the simplest ingredients often make the most memorable dishes. Serve it with a bowl of rice and maybe a little conversation, and you’ve got a meal worth sharing.
My name is Angela. I live in Florida, and I’m a home cook, a travel lover, and a proud mom of three amazing kids. At 50, I’ve learned that life’s sweetest memories are made around good food shared with the people we love.
Filipino Chicken Adobo
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in preferred)
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 6 cloves garlic smashed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 1 tbsp brown sugar optional, to balance flavor
- 1 cup water or chicken broth
- oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot and sear the chicken pieces on all sides until lightly browned.
- Add garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant.
- Pour in soy sauce and vinegar. Do not stir after adding the vinegar.
- Add bay leaves, peppercorns, and water or broth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 35 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce has reduced.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot with rice.