Chicken and Pork Adobo
The Philippines' beloved national dish, this adobo features tender chicken and succulent pork belly braised in a rich, tangy, and savory sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves. It's a deeply flavorful dish that's surprisingly easy to make.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Chicken pieces(Bone-in, skin-on pieces like thighs and drumsticks are recommended for best flavor and texture.)
- 500 g Pork belly(Cut into 1.5-inch cubes.)
- 120 ml Soy sauce(Use Filipino soy sauce if available, otherwise a good quality regular soy sauce.)
- 120 ml White vinegar(Cane vinegar or distilled white vinegar works well.)
- 1 head Garlic(Peel and crush cloves with the side of a knife.)
- 5 Bay leaves(Dried bay leaves.)
- 1 tsp Black peppercorns(Whole peppercorns.)
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar(Optional, to balance the acidity and add a touch of sweetness.)
- 240 ml Water(Or enough to cover the meat.)
- 2 tbsp Cooking oil(For searing the meat.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl or pot, combine the chicken pieces, pork belly, soy sauce, white vinegar, crushed garlic, bay leaves, and whole black peppercorns. Gently toss to ensure all the meat is coated. Cover and let it marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
⏱️ 30 minutes (marinating) - 2
Transfer the marinated meat and all the liquid into a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Add the brown sugar (if using) and the water. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. IMPORTANT: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer. Do NOT stir during the initial 5-10 minutes of simmering to allow the harshness of the vinegar to cook off.
⏱️ 10 minutes (initial simmer) - 3
After the initial simmer, remove the lid, stir the contents, and continue to simmer gently, covered, for another 30-40 minutes, or until both the chicken and pork are tender. The meat should be easily pierced with a fork.
⏱️ 30-40 minutes (simmering) - 4
Once the meat is tender, remove the chicken and pork pieces from the pot using a slotted spoon and set them aside on a plate. Increase the heat under the pot to medium-high. Bring the remaining sauce to a vigorous boil and let it reduce for about 5-10 minutes, or until it thickens slightly and becomes more syrupy. Skim off any excess fat that rises to the surface.
⏱️ 5-10 minutes (sauce reduction) - 5
While the sauce is reducing, heat the cooking oil in a separate large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the reserved chicken and pork pieces in a single layer (you may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding). Sear the meat for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned and slightly crispy. This step adds a wonderful texture and depth of flavor.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes (searing) - 6
Return the seared meat to the pot with the reduced sauce. Stir to coat the meat evenly. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary – you might want a splash more soy sauce for saltiness or a touch more vinegar for tang.
⏱️ 3 minutes (final simmer) - 7
Serve hot, traditionally with steamed white rice to soak up the delicious sauce. Garnish with chopped green onions or fried garlic bits if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to a good adobo is the balance of salty (soy sauce), sour (vinegar), and savory (garlic, peppercorns). Adjust these to your personal preference.
- ✓Don't stir the pot during the first 5-10 minutes of simmering after adding the vinegar. This allows the sharp 'raw' vinegar taste to mellow out.
- ✓Adobo famously tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld and deepen.
- ✓For a richer flavor, consider using a mix of dark and light soy sauce.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Adobo sa Gata: Stir in coconut milk during the last 15-20 minutes of simmering for a creamy, richer adobo.
- Dry Adobo: After the meat is tender, remove it from the sauce. Reduce the sauce until it's almost completely caramelized and coats the meat. Then, return the meat to the pan and toss to coat.