How to Make Classic Chicken Adobo: A Step-by-Step Guide

Cooking a delicious and authentic Filipino dish like chicken adobo may seem difficult, but it’s actually quite simple. Chicken adobo is a traditional Filipino dish that is made using chicken, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaves. This dish is popular in the Philippines and is enjoyed by many people across the world. If you’re looking to make chicken adobo at home, this article will guide you on how to prepare this mouth-watering dish.

The best thing about chicken adobo is that it’s easy to make. You don’t need any fancy equipment or special ingredients. All you need are a few simple ingredients and some patience while the chicken marinates. Once you have your ingredients ready, you can start preparing the dish. In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step on how to make chicken adobo that’s packed with flavor and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Introduction:

Are you a fan of the Filipino cuisine and want to learn how to make one of its classic dishes? Look no further than chicken adobo, a favorite of many in the Philippines and around the world. This dish is perfect for those who love savory and tangy flavors all in one dish. In this article, we’ll give you a detailed step-by-step guide on how to make Chicken Adobo that will impress your taste buds.

The Ingredients You’ll Need:

Before we get started, let’s gather the necessary ingredients for chicken adobo: chicken thighs, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, cloves, black peppercorn, and brown sugar. These ingredients may vary, but the main flavors come from soy sauce and vinegar.

Preparing the Chicken:

To prepare your chicken for adobo, first, cut eight pieces of chicken thighs into bite-size pieces. Then, pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper to taste.

Creating the Chicken Adobo Sauce:

To make the adobo sauce, you will need soy sauce, Filipino vinegar or apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, bay leaves, black peppercorns, ground cloves, and brown sugar.

First, start by combining 1 cup of soy sauce and 1 cup of vinegar in a bowl. Then add the minced garlic, one tablespoon of ground black pepper, one tablespoon of ground cloves, and two bay leaves. Finally, add ½ cup of brown sugar and mix well until the sugar dissolves.

Cooking the Chicken Adobo:

To cook chicken adobo, heat a heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add two tablespoons of oil, then sauté one chopped onion until translucent.

Next, add the marinated chicken and sauté for six to eight minutes until it turns golden brown. Pour the adobo sauce on the chicken and let it simmer for 30 minutes or until the sauce reduces to half and the chicken is cooked.

Adjusting the Flavor:

Before serving, taste the adobo. If it’s too salty, add a little bit of water to balance it out. If it’s too sour, add a little bit of brown sugar. Adjust the flavor to your liking.

Serving the Chicken Adobo:

Chicken adobo tastes best when served with steamed rice, and some people prefer it with a side dish of green vegetables like bok choy or broccoli.

Storing and Reheating the Chicken Adobo:

You can store your chicken adobo leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until it reaches the desired temperature.

Final Thoughts:

Learning how to make chicken adobo is simple and easy. It’s a perfect dish for family gatherings, potlucks, or even on a regular weekday. Experiment with different ingredients or adjust the flavor to suit your taste. Go ahead and try making chicken adobo today and enjoy the satisfying taste of this classic Filipino dish.

Ingredients needed for making chicken adobo

If you are ready to jump right in and start cooking, the first step is to gather all of the ingredients you will need. Luckily, chicken adobo is made with simple ingredients that are readily available at your local grocery store. Here are the ingredients you will need:

1. Chicken: You can use chicken thighs or a whole chicken, but chicken thighs are the most commonly used in this recipe.

2. Vinegar: Filipino vinegar is ideal, but you can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar as a substitute.

3. Soy sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce if possible.

4. Garlic: Fresh garlic is best, but you can also use garlic powder.

5. Bay leaves: These are an essential ingredient in chicken adobo. You can find them in the spice section of your grocery store.

6. Peppercorns: You will need whole black peppercorns, not ground pepper.

7. Brown sugar: This adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the sourness of the vinegar.

8. Water: Chicken adobo requires water for cooking.

9. Cooking oil: Use vegetable oil or canola oil.

10. Onion: It’s optional, but if you decide to use onion, make sure you use a yellow onion.

Gathering all of these ingredients will ensure that you have everything you need to make a delicious and flavorful chicken adobo dish. Now that you have all the ingredients, it’s time to start cooking!

Ingredients

Making a delectable chicken adobo requires specific ingredients. These include:

Preparation

The preparation of chicken adobo takes a few steps to obtain a scrumptious taste. Here are the steps:

Cut The Chicken

First things first, cut the chicken into manageable pieces. You can cut them into thighs or legs, depending on what you prefer.

Marinate The Chicken

Put the cut chicken into a bowl with soy sauce and garlic. Mix the ingredients and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Place the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours to marinate.

Cook The Chicken Adobo

After marinating, heat a large, deep pan on medium heat. Add chicken to the pan and cook the pieces until they turn slightly brown. Pour the remaining marinade sauce into the pan along with the whole black peppercorns and bay leaves.

Pour in the water and bring the chicken to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the chicken for 30-45 minutes. This allows the chicken to absorb the flavors of the soy sauce, vinegar, and other ingredients.

Adjust The Taste

Once the chicken is tender, add brown sugar to adjust the sweetness of the sauce. Mix well and let the sauce simmer for another 5-10 minutes on low heat.

Serve The Dish

After cooking, turn off the heat and let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. You can serve the dish with steamed rice, and sprinkle with chopped green onions for added garnish.

Making chicken adobo is easy and simple. With the right ingredients and steps, you can cook this classic Filipino dish at home.

Enjoy Your Delicious Chicken Adobo!

Now that you know how to make chicken adobo, it’s time to invite your friends and family over and enjoy the delicious flavor. Don’t forget to serve it with steamed rice! Thank you for reading and I hope you have a great experience cooking this dish. Keep visiting our blog for more recipes and cooking tips. Happy cooking!