In this super quick and easy recipe, chicken is cooked in an addictively delicious sauce flavoured with soy, brown sugar, garlic and vinegar. Refreshing cucumber, combined with sesame oil and fresh ginger, is served on the side as the perfect accompaniment. Served over steamed rice, this Chicken Adobo recipe makes a beautiful weeknight treat.
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time20 minutesmins
Ingredients
600gboneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces or left whole
1tbspfreshly minced garlic
80mlall-purpose soy sauce
80mlwhite vinegar or apple cider vinegar
2bay leaves
1tbspbrown sugar
½tspfreshly cracked black pepper
2tbspolive oil
4cupscooked rice, to serve
coriander (cilantro), to garnish (optional)
1sliced chilli to garnish (optional)
SESAME GINGER CUCUMBERS
2Lebanese (short) cucumbers, cut into thick slices
2tbspolive oil
1tbspsesame oil
1tspfreshly minced ginger
½tspsea salt flakes
Instructions
Place the chicken, garlic, soy sauce, white vinegar, bay leaves, brown sugar and pepper in a bowl. If time permits, allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours). Marinating is NOT essential but does tenderise the chicken and creates more depth of flavour. I regularly make this recipe and cook it immediately and it's equally delicious!
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over medium–high heat and add the chicken, reserving the marinade. Cook the chicken for 2–4 minutes until it starts to brown, turning once halfway through.
Add the remaining marinade and 1 cup (250 ml) of water. Cook for 8–12 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened and caramelised. If the sauce hasn't thickened, it means the pan wasn't hot enough, so continue cooking over high heat until the sauce reduces.
To make the sesame ginger cucumbers, combine the ingredients in a small bowl.
Serve the chicken adobo with steamed rice and the cucumbers. Top with coriander and fresh chilli, if desired.
Notes
MAKE AHEAD
Marinate the chicken and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the fridge overnight prior to cooking.
LEFTOVERS
Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Adobo
Amount per Serving
Calories
776
% Daily Value*
Fat
31
g
48
%
Saturated Fat
5
g
31
%
Trans Fat
0.03
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
18
g
Cholesterol
143
mg
48
%
Sodium
1530
mg
67
%
Potassium
753
mg
22
%
Carbohydrates
85
g
28
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
7
g
8
%
Protein
38
g
76
%
Vitamin A
305
IU
6
%
Vitamin C
21
mg
25
%
Calcium
57
mg
6
%
Iron
6
mg
33
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.