Recipe Chicken Adobo

Detailed recipe for Chicken Adobo:

Chicken Adobo Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (about 1 kg) chicken pieces (legs, thighs, or a combination)
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup vinegar (cane vinegar or white vinegar)
• 1 cup water
• 1 onion, peeled and sliced
• 4-5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns (whole black peppercorns)
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
• Cooking oil
• Salt, to taste
• Chopped green onions or cilantro, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Marinating the Chicken:

- In a bowl, combine the soy sauce and minced garlic. Place the chicken pieces in the marinade, making sure they are well coated. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to an hour. You can also marinate it overnight in the refrigerator for more flavor.

2. Searing the Chicken:

- Heat a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of cooking oil.

- Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off excess marinade. Keep the marinade for later use.

- Place the chicken pieces in the hot pan and sear until browned on all sides. This step helps develop flavor. Once seared, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

3. Making the Adobo Sauce:

- In the same pan, you can add a bit more oil if needed. Sauté the sliced onions until they become translucent and slightly caramelized.

- Add the bay leaf and peppercorns to the pan and sauté for a minute to release their flavors.

- Pour in the vinegar and let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce and mellow out the strong vinegar taste.

- Add the soy sauce and water to the pan. If you want a slightly sweeter adobo, you can add the optional brown sugar at this point.

- Return the seared chicken pieces to the pan, along with any juices that might have accumulated.

4. Simmering and Cooking:

- Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan with a lid.

- Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. You can occasionally turn the chicken pieces during cooking.

5. Adjusting the Seasoning:

- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt or additional soy sauce if needed. The flavor should be a balance of savory, slightly tangy, and a hint of sweetness.

6. Final Steps:

- Once the chicken is cooked and the flavors have melded, you can remove the bay leaf and peppercorns if desired.

- Serve the Chicken Adobo over steamed rice, and spoon some of the flavorful sauce over the chicken and rice.

- Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro for a fresh contrast.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Chicken Adobo!