Sautéed Chicken Adobo with Coconut Vinegar and Bay Leaves

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-07 · Updated 2026-05-07

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 Filipino classic featuring tender chicken simmered in a tangy coconut vinegar and soy sauce blend with fragrant bay leaves and garlic. This Filipino-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, coconut vinegar, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 310 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 pounds bone-in chicken thighs
1/2 cup coconut vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
6 garlic cloves, minced
3 bay leaves
1 tsp whole black peppercorns
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
to taste salt

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds bone-in chicken thighs skin-side down and brown for 5-6 minutes until golden and crisp on the edges. Flip and brown the other side for 4 minutes.
Step 2: Remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, add 6 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Return chicken to the skillet and pour in 1/2 cup coconut vinegar, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup water, 3 bay leaves, 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, and 2 tsp brown sugar. Stir gently to combine.
Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 25 minutes until chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly, stirring once halfway.
Step 5: Remove lid and cook uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to reduce the sauce further. Season with salt to taste before serving.