Braised Chicken Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves

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

Tender chicken simmered in a savory-sour sauce of soy and vinegar, enriched with aromatic garlic and bay leaves for a classic Filipino comfort meal. This filipino-inspired asian ready in about 75 minutes pairs Chicken thighs, Soy sauce, White vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs (700g) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and cook for 5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for 3 minutes more. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 6 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1/4 cup water, stirring to dissolve any browned bits. Add 2 bay leaves and return the chicken to the skillet, skin-side up.
  3. Step 3: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and braise for 45 minutes. Uncover and simmer for 15 minutes more until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is tender.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Chicken Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Braised Chicken Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves?

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 Braised Chicken Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves?

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 Braised Chicken Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves 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 Braised Chicken Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves?

Filipino asian 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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