This tender Filipino Chicken Adobo is super simple to make yet rich in flavor. It takes as little as 30 minutes to make and is a healthy weeknight meal. You'll have this recipe in quick rotation soon!

Filipino Chicken Adobo | your whole family will love this quick and easy to make weeknight meal | theendlessmeal.com

See that tender chicken looking all saucy and delicious? That is Filipino chicken adobo, and trust me, you want to get in on this. It's fall-off-the-bone tender and all wrapped in an addictive tangy, garlicky sauce. And get this …

This Filipino chicken adobo recipe takes only 30 minutes to make!

Ok, truth is I've given you two different options for making this recipe. One involves marinating and then searing the chicken. It's not difficult at all, but it is a little more time-consuming. The second option is to simply throw all the ingredients in a pot and simmer it away for 25 minutes. How quick and easy is that?

I don't know about you, but after a long day, the last thing I feel like doing is spending an hour slaving away over a hot stove. I mean, I LOVE cooking, but sometimes all I want to do to is eat and curl up on the couch and watch a show.  That second option is for days when that couch is just screamin' your name. Let's hear it for quick, easy and healthy dinners!?

Filipino chicken adobo is very different than Mexican adobo. The sauce is made largely from vinegar and soy sauce so the flavor is strong and has a vinegary tang to it. I'm sure it's not authentic, but I like to squeeze some lime over top to freshen up the flavors.

Filipino Chicken Adobo | your whole family will love this quick and easy to make weeknight meal | theendlessmeal.com

Want to turn this Filipino chicken adobo into a meal? This is how ya do it:

  1. Put a pot of rice on before you start cooking.
  2. When the chicken is simmering, put some baby bok choy on a pan, sprinkle it with oil and salt and broil it in your oven for 5 minutes.
  3. That's it!

Super tough right? Joking!

Seriously though, you guys are going to love this one.

Filipino Chicken Adobo | your whole family will love this quick and easy to make weeknight meal | theendlessmeal.com
Filipino Chicken Adobo | your whole family will love this quick and easy to make weeknight meal | theendlessmeal.com

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Filipino Chicken Adobo | your whole family will love this quick and easy to make weeknight meal | theendlessmeal.com

Filipino Chicken Adobo Recipe

This tender Filipino chicken adobo is super simple to make yet rich in flavor. It takes as little as 30 minutes to make and is a healthy weeknight meal. See the notes for instructions on how to make this Filipino chicken adobo in just 30 minutes.

If you love this recipe as much as we do, let us know with a 5-star rating!

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup soy sauce, gluten-free if needed
  • ½ cup rice vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 bone-in skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons cooking oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, whole (see notes)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves, fresh or dried
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, can sub brown sugar

Instructions 

  • Place the soy sauce, rice vinegar and the 4 minced garlic cloves in a bowl. Add the chicken and mix it around a little so that the chicken is well coated with the marinade. Leave the bowl in your fridge for 30 minutes to 24 hours to marinate.
    ½ cup soy sauce, ½ cup rice vinegar, 4 cloves garlic, 8 bone-in skinless chicken thighs
  • Pour the marinade from the bowl into a medium-sized pot. Heat a large frying pan over high heat and add the oil. Remove the chicken thighs from the bowl, dry them thoroughly with paper towels, and then fry them in the pan until they are nicely browned. You don't need to cook them through, just brown them.
    2 teaspoons cooking oil
  • Once the chicken is brown, add it to the pot with the reserved marinade along with the whole garlic cloves, black pepper, and bay leaves. Add just enough water to the pot so that the chicken is half covered in liquid. Bring the pot to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to low so the chicken gently simmers. Let the chicken cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes sprinkle the coconut sugar over the chicken and continue to cook it, uncovered, for 5 more minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
    4 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 2 bay leaves, 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
  • Serve the chicken with some rice and lightly steamed greens on the side.

Notes

The whole garlic cloves are there because we love them once they cook and start to caramelize. If you're not a big fan of whole garlic simply omit the whole cloves.
If you're running short of time, you can make this recipe in just 30 minutes. Skip marinating and browning the chicken and simply put all the ingredients into the pot and let it simmer for 20 minutes. It will still be delicious!
Serving: 1 serving = ¼ of the recipe, Calories: 303kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 43g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 194mg, Sodium: 1809mg, Potassium: 590mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 54IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 38mg, Iron: 2mg
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