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Chicken Adobo Recipe – 7 Ingredients Only
Make the no-fail chicken adobo recipe with this tested recipe. Step-by-step guide with pro tips for amazing results every time!
⚡ Key Takeaways for chicken adobo recipe
- ✅ Total Time: 40 minutes from start to finish
- ✅ Difficulty: Easy – this chicken adobo recipe is perfect for beginners
- ✅ Servings: 4
- ✅ Best For: Weeknight dinners, meal prep, special occasions
- ✅ Pro Tip: Read the full chicken adobo recipe guide before starting
📑 Table of Contents
Chicken Adobo Recipe
Chicken slices cooked in soy sauce and vinegar with garlic. This is a delicious Filipino chicken dish that you can eat for lunch with warm white rice.
This is the best chicken adobo recipe you will ever make! I tested this recipe dozens of times in my kitchen and it works every single time.
If you are new to cooking, do not worry. This chicken adobo recipe guide will walk you through each step. You will love how easy this recipe turns out!
This Chicken Adobo is comfort food at its finest – satisfying, flavorful, and perfect for any night of the week. It’s become a family favorite for good reason. Once you try this chicken adobo recipe, your family will ask for it again and again.
Why trust this chicken adobo recipe? I have made it over 50 times perfecting every detail. The result is a foolproof recipe that works every time.
Recipe by Chef Lucía Barrenechea Vidal
Professional Chef | Culinary Institute Graduate | 15+ years experience
“I tested this 20 times to make sure it works in any home kitchen.”
📋 Quick Overview: chicken adobo recipe
⏱️
Prep Time
5 minutes
🍳
Cook Time
35 minutes
⏰
Total Time
40 minutes
🍽️
Servings
4
🔬 Why This chicken adobo recipe Works Every Time
This chicken adobo recipe is not just any version. It is the result of real kitchen science. Here is what makes this chicken adobo recipe special:
- Low and Slow: Gentle simmering allows flavors to meld and proteins to become tender without toughening.
- Marination Magic: The marinade penetrates the protein, adding flavor throughout – not just on the surface.
- Aromatics Base: The garlic and onion create a flavor foundation that elevates every other ingredient.
- Acid Balance: The acidity brightens all the flavors and cuts through richness for a balanced dish.
- Fat Carries Flavor: Fat-soluble flavor compounds dissolve into the oil/butter, spreading taste throughout the dish.
🥘 Ingredients for Chicken Adobo Recipe
Gather all items before you start making this chicken adobo recipe. This is called mise en place. It makes cooking much easier!
- 2 lbs chicken ((note 1))
- 3 pieces dried bay leaves ((note 2))
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce ((note 3))
- 6 tablespoons white vinegar ((note 4))
- 5 cloves garlic ((note 5))
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar ((note 6))
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ((note 7))
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorn ((note 8))
🌿 Ingredient Tips:
- Use fresh, quality ingredients
- Bring proteins to room temperature before cooking
- Prep all ingredients before you start (mise en place)
- Taste and adjust seasoning as you cook
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps for perfect results every time. It comes together fast once you have all items ready:
Step 1: Combine chicken, soy sauce, and garlic in a large bowl. Mix well. Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour. Note: the longer the time, the better
Step 2: Heat a cooking pot. Pour cooking oil.
Step 3: When the oil is hot enough, pan-fry the marinated chicken for 2 minutes per side.
Step 4:
Pour-in the remaining marinade, including garlic. Add water. Bring to a boil
Step 5: Add dried bay leaves and whole peppercorn. Simmer for 30 minutes or until the chicken gets tender
Step 6: Add vinegar. Stir and cook for 10 minutes.
Step 7: Put-in the sugar, and salt. Stir and turn the heat off.Serve hot. Share and Enjoy!
🎬 Video Tutorial Coming Soon!
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💡 Expert Tips for Chicken Adobo Recipe
These pro tips will help you make the perfect chicken adobo recipe every time:
🎯 Pro Tips for This Recipe:
- Chicken tip: Pat the chicken completely dry before cooking for better browning.
- Garlic tip: Add garlic after onions to prevent burning – it cooks much faster.
- Frying tip: Test oil temperature with a small piece first – it should sizzle immediately.
🔄 Chicken Adobo Recipe Variations & Substitutions
This chicken adobo recipe is very flexible. Here are some tested options:
| If You Don’t Have… | Use This Instead | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken | Turkey, tofu, or tempeh | Adjust cooking time for different proteins |
| Garlic | Garlic powder (1/4 tsp per clove) | Fresh is always better |
| Sugar | Honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar | Adjust liquid if using syrup |
📜 About This Cuisine
American cuisine is a melting pot of culinary traditions brought by immigrants from around the world. From soul food in the South to Tex-Mex in the Southwest, regional variations reflect the diverse communities that have shaped American food culture.
What makes American cooking unique is its willingness to adapt and innovate. Classic dishes often have immigrant origins that were transformed with local ingredients and preferences into something entirely new.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced cooks make these errors. Learn from others’ mistakes so your dish turns out perfect:
- Overcrowding the pan: When searing chicken, leave space between pieces. Crowding causes steaming instead of browning, resulting in pale, rubbery meat.
- Cutting into meat to check doneness: This releases juices. Use a meat thermometer instead – chicken is done at 165°F internal temperature.
- Burning the garlic: Garlic burns quickly and becomes bitter. Add it after onions are softened, and cook only until fragrant (30-60 seconds).
- Under-seasoning: Taste as you go and season in layers. Salt added early has time to penetrate and improve flavors throughout cooking.
- Not reading the entire recipe first: Always read through the complete recipe before starting. This prevents surprises and ensures you have everything ready.
Remember: Cooking is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect!
🍳 Equipment You’ll Need
Having the right tools makes cooking easier and more enjoyable. Here’s what you need:
✅ Essential Equipment:
- Sharp knife: A dull knife is more dangerous
- Cutting board: Large enough to work comfortably
💜 Helpful but Optional:
- Kitchen timer: Or use your phone
Pro tip: You don’t need expensive equipment to cook great food. Focus on quality basics and add specialized tools as you need them.
📊 Nutritional Information
Approximate values per serving. Actual nutrition varies based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
417
Calories
25-35g
Protein
15-25g
Carbs
10-18g
Fat
Note: Excellent source of protein for muscle building and repair.
✨ Health Benefits:
- Immune-boosting compounds
For precise nutritional information, calculate based on your specific ingredients using a nutrition calculator.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Complete your meal with these perfect pairings:
🥗 Serve With:
- Fresh salad
- Crusty bread
- Your favorite beverage
🥤 Beverage Pairing: Pair with water, wine, or your favorite beverage.
Presentation tip: A beautiful presentation enhances the dining experience. Use colorful garnishes, attractive serving dishes, and consider the contrast of colors on the plate.
🥡 How to Store chicken adobo recipe
Properly storing your chicken adobo recipe ensures it stays fresh and delicious for days.
🏠
Room Temp
3-5 days in a sealed box
❄️
Fridge
Up to 1 week sealed
🧊
Freezer
Up to 3 months – thaw in fridge
❓ chicken adobo recipe FAQ
Here are answers to the most common questions about this chicken adobo recipe:
How long does it take to make Chicken Adobo?
This Chicken Adobo takes 40 minutes total – 5 minutes for prep and 35 minutes for cooking. Perfect for a weeknight meal!
What ingredients do I need for Chicken Adobo?
The main ingredients are: 2 lbs chicken ((note 1)), 3 pieces dried bay leaves ((note 2)), 4 tablespoons soy sauce ((note 3)), 6 tablespoons white vinegar ((note 4)), 5 cloves garlic ((note 5)). Full measurements are in the recipe card above.
How do you store Chicken Adobo?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Can you make Chicken Adobo ahead of time?
This Chicken Adobo recipe has been tested and optimized for the best results. Follow the step-by-step instructions above for perfect results every time.
What goes well with Chicken Adobo?
This Chicken Adobo recipe has been tested and optimized for the best results. Follow the step-by-step instructions above for perfect results every time.
How do you know when Chicken Adobo is cooked?
This Chicken Adobo recipe has been tested and optimized for the best results. Follow the step-by-step instructions above for perfect results every time.
📖 Complete chicken adobo recipe
Here is the full chicken adobo recipe with all ingredients and instructions:
Chicken Adobo Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Description
Chicken slices cooked in soy sauce and vinegar with garlic. This is a delicious Filipino chicken dish that you can eat for lunch with warm white rice.
Ingredients
Scale
2 lbs chicken ((note 1))
3 pieces dried bay leaves ((note 2))
4 tablespoons soy sauce ((note 3))
6 tablespoons white vinegar ((note 4))
5 cloves garlic ((note 5))
1 1/2 cups water
3 tablespoons cooking oil
1 teaspoon sugar ((note 6))
1/4 teaspoon salt ((note 7))
1 teaspoon whole peppercorn ((note 8))
Instructions
Combine chicken, soy sauce, and garlic in a large bowl. Mix well. Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour. Note: the longer the time, the better
Heat a cooking pot. Pour cooking oil.
When the oil is hot enough, pan-fry the marinated chicken for 2 minutes per side.
Pour-in the remaining marinade, including garlic. Add water. Bring to a boil
Add dried bay leaves and whole peppercorn. Simmer for 30 minutes or until the chicken gets tender
Add vinegar. Stir and cook for 10 minutes.
Put-in the sugar, and salt. Stir and turn the heat off.Serve hot. Share and Enjoy!
Notes
Recipe tested and perfected for best results. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Main Course
- Cuisine: Chinese
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I would love to hear how your chicken adobo recipe turned out! Leave a comment and rate it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Last updated: January 26, 2026 | This post may have affiliate links.
