Philippine Chicken Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken braised in a savory mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves, a traditional Filipino comfort dish. This filipino-inspired chicken ready in about 85 minutes pairs (about 2 lbs) 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.

Prep: 35 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup white vinegar, 6 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, and 3 bay leaves. Add 4 bone-in chicken thighs and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade) and brown chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side until golden.
  3. Step 3: Pour in the reserved marinade along with 1/2 cup water and 1 tsp white sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes until chicken is tender and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Remove the lid and simmer uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes to reduce the sauce slightly and intensify the flavors.
  5. Step 5: Serve hot with steamed rice and spoon the sauce over the chicken.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 85 minutes (35 min prep + 50 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 Philippine 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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Philippine 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 Philippine 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 Philippine Chicken Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves?

Filipino 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.

Related recipes