Sautéed Chicken Adobo with Tangy Vinegar Sauce
A classic Filipino chicken adobo simmered in a savory soy and tangy vinegar sauce, tender and flavorful with a hint of garlic and bay leaves. This Filipino-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 80 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 6, crushed garlic cloves
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- to taste salt
- for serving white rice
The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide
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
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup white vinegar, 6 crushed garlic cloves, 3 bay leaves, and 1 tsp whole black peppercorns. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade) and sear chicken pieces for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and skin is crisp.
- Step 3: Pour in the reserved marinade along with 1/2 cup water and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce is slightly reduced, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Taste and season with salt as needed. Serve hot over steamed white rice.







