Adobo-Braised Chicken with Sofrito and Plantains

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Savory chicken thighs simmered in a rich adobo sauce with sweet plantains and fresh sofrito. This puerto rican-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs chicken thighs, ripe plantains, sofrito base for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 tsp smoked paprika and 1/4 tsp cumin.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs for 5 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sofrito base to the skillet, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, add 1/2 cup white wine and 1 cup chicken broth, then simmer covered for 25 minutes until chicken is tender.
  5. Step 5: While chicken cooks, peel and slice plantains into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Pan-fry in 1 tbsp annatto oil until caramelized on both sides, about 3 minutes per side.
  6. Step 6: Serve chicken with plantains and spoon the reduced sauce over top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Adobo-Braised Chicken with Sofrito and Plantains take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Adobo-Braised Chicken with Sofrito and Plantains?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Adobo-Braised Chicken with Sofrito and Plantains?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Adobo-Braised Chicken with Sofrito and Plantains for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Adobo-Braised Chicken with Sofrito and Plantains?

Puerto Rican chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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