Filipino Chicken Adobo- A Balancing Act
PUBLISHED ON: 03.16.2012
A balance between vinegar and soy sauce it can make for a sharp, salty braising liquid. Add a can of coconut milk, and suddenly the flavors mellow. This is a really interesting combination of flavors that are really quite delicious.
This dish could not be easier, with only a few ingredients most that will be found in your pantry. The end result is a tender and tasty dish. What is great about dishes like this one, is that it can be served up family style, and to a crowd with almost no additional effort.
Filipino Chicken Adobo
Serves 4
Recipe from Cook’s Illustrated
Ingredients:
8 (5-7 ounce) bone in chicken thighs, trimmed
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 (13 1/2-ounce) can coconut milk
3/4 cup cider vinegar
8 garlic cloves, peeled
4 bay leaves
2 teaspoons pepper
1 scallion, sliced thin
Directions:
1. Toss chicken with soy sauce in large bowl. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
2. Remove chicken from soy sauce, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl. Transfer chicken side down, to 12-inch nonstick skillet; set aside soy sauce.
3. Place skillet over medium-high heat and cook until chicken skin is browned, 7 to 10 minutes. While chicken is browning, whisk coconut milk, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and pepper into soy sauce.
4. Transfer chicken to plate and discard fat in skillet. Return chicken to skillet skin side down, add coconut milk mixture, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Flip chicken skin side up and continue to cook, uncovered, until chicken registers 175 degrees, about 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to platter and tent loosely with aluminum foil.
5. Remove bay leaves and skim any fat off surface of sauce. Return skillet to medium-high heat and cook until sauce is thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour sauce over chicken, sprinkle with scallions and serve over rice.
Enjoy!
From the Kitchen
Sounds like a delicious way (other than southern fried, of course) to serve chicken thighs. I find we use them more and more. They don't dry out like breasts can and they have more flavor. I love the flavor combination in this recipe and the fact that it is easy.Have a great weekend.Best,Bonnie
Mimi
We really must be on the same wave length. I made this same recipe last week it was fabulous.Mimi
abbey
This. Sounds. Amazing!!!! I'm emailing this to myself to make it soon. Thank you!
Big Dude
A really nice looking dish Velva – We finally have some garden going.
Salsa Verde
What a delicious chicken recipe. Fantastic!!Cheers,Lia.
Hungry Dog
Chicken adobe is one of my favorites and there are endless variations. This one sounds great–you can always trust Cooks Illustrated!
Chris
Definitely saved this one to try, I love everything in the sauce. Can't wait to try it, especially the salty vinegary sauce.
From Beyond My Kitchen Window
Great chicken recipe. I love how brown the thighs cooked up. You can never go wrong with chicken thighs. They are my favorite part of the chicken.
SavoringTime in the Kitchen
This looks wonderful! I'll admit it, I love the dark meat on chicken – that's where all the flavor is.
Michelle
A great recipe for chicken thighs.
Dining Alone
I think I have all of these ingredients, I might have to give this a try this weekend.
Fresh Local and Best
I've been looking for good simple ways to prepare chicken, especially on those busy weeknights. This looks terrific! I like the exciting flavors of salt, vinegar and coconut milk. Looking forward to trying it.
Tina
Coconut milk…that's brilliant. I never thought of that and it looks wonderfully delicious.When I make this I will link back to your post here 🙂
That Girl
My brother-in-law's inlaws are Filipino and dishes like these are served at every family gathering.
Magic of Spice
That is a lovely combination…and I always need new chicken dishes as my family loves them :)Hope you are having a great weekend!
tasteofbeirut
I am trying Filipino dishes here in Beirut as there is quite a sizeable Filipino community here; I had heard of this dish but did not realized it was so simple to make. Next on my list!
Claudia
Love the balance of flavors. The coconut milk does mellow all. This is a unique dish that I absolutely need to try.
T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types
So interesting to think about how flavors work in concert – sort of like a little \”flavor symphony.\”
Ken Bowie
One of my Fav's! Next you have to do Pancit 🙂
J.J. & Katy
Would it work with chicken breasts?
SuzyEats
looks very tasty and fresh 🙂
Epicurea
thanks for stopping by my blog and introducing me to yours, it's so much fun to explore other foodies out there and what's cooking in your kitchen looks absolutely delicious (my husband already made me promise to try this dish this week!)
Kitchen Belleicious
Wow! So much flavor in this dish! I love cooking with coconut milk but never done it in this fashion before with chicken! Wonderful and can't wait to try it out
ogyep yummy mellow
TQ for blog-walking to my place. I m very familiar with Chicken Adobo.. BUT… with coconut milk is something new.. Should try this out.
Barbara
Velva, I'm loving this recipe. I've been replacing milk with coconut milk in a lot of recipes. Of course, thighs are the most tasty part of a chicken. 🙂
Haddock
I think that refrigeration of 1 hr (after applying the sauce) does the trick.The finished product looks yummy.
Epicurea
just coming back to let you know that i gave in to hubby's begging (we had something to celebrate) and just made this for dinner, added a little bit of fresh ginger ans sriracha sauce as well. i don't even know where to start – it was absolutely and unbelievably delicious, thanks so much!
teresa
i am LOVING that ingredient list. i'll be making this soon!
Angie's Recipes
A satisfying and delicious meal! I love them with garlic rice 😉
chow and chatter
looks awesome one to pin and try sometime
Rosa's Yummy Yums
That dish looks mighty scrumptious! Cheers,Rosa
LindyLouMac
I am printing this recipe straight away as it sounds like a dish we would enjoy, thanks for sharing.
mr. pineapple man
yummy! love filipino dishes!!
Foodiewife
I am a fan of Cook's Illustrated AND coconut milk. I've never heard of this dish, but it's one that I'm sure I would love. I love easy dishes like this.
Natalie Atick
I am starving and click on your page to find this dish! You are killing me here I want some!
Lynda
I'm bookmarking this recipe-it sounds like it's packed with flavor, plus it sounds so easy.Thanks for posting Velva!
Lea Ann (Highlands Ranch Foodie)
This recipe sounds right up my alley. Love chicken dishes like this.
Kitchen Butterfly
I love simple chicken dishes – I don't make them enough! This looks wonderful. Have a great weekend dear
Suzan
This looks delicious!!I must try over spring break :-}}
Lindsey
This chicken is delicious, I made it for my boyfriend who can be picky, and he loved it.