Garlic-Simmered Chicken Adobo with Banana Blossom

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

Tender chicken thighs simmered in a savory garlic-vinegar sauce with the earthy texture of banana blossom, a traditional Filipino ingredient. This filipino ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken thighs, white vinegar, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 425 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: 45 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 425 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 8 minced garlic cloves and cook for 60 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  2. Step 2: Place 1.5 lbs bone-in chicken thighs, skin-side down, in the pot and sear for 4 minutes until golden brown. Flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 bay leaf. Add 1 cup drained and sliced banana blossom. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 35 minutes until chicken is tender.
  4. Step 4: Uncover, increase heat to medium, and simmer for 10 minutes to reduce sauce until it coats the back of a spoon. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic-Simmered Chicken Adobo with Banana Blossom take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Garlic-Simmered Chicken Adobo with Banana Blossom?

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 Garlic-Simmered Chicken Adobo with Banana Blossom?

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 Garlic-Simmered Chicken Adobo with Banana Blossom 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 Garlic-Simmered Chicken Adobo with Banana Blossom?

Filipino filipino 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes