Garlic-Lemon Chicken Adobo Braised in Soy and Vinegar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A tangy and savory Filipino chicken dish slow-cooked in a rich soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic marinade that yields tender, flavorful meat. This Filipino-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 75 minutes, pairs bone-in 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 350 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: 35 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons garlic powder
6 cloves, minced fresh garlic cloves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
1 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons cooking oil

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Add 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons cooking oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade) and sear chicken pieces skin side down for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes.
Step 3: Add 6 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, 2 bay leaves, and 1 cup water along with the reserved marinade into the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook over low heat for 30 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens slightly.