Simmered Chicken Adobo
Chicken simmered in a tangy vinegar and soy sauce marinade with garlic and bay leaves, creating a deeply flavorful Puerto Rican-inspired dish. This puerto rican-inspired chicken 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 450 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
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 bay leaves. Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade (reserving the liquid), sear for 5 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Step 3: Pour the reserved marinade (including garlic and bay leaves) into the pot, add 1/2 cup water, and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 30 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Step 4: Remove chicken from pot, discard bay leaves, and serve the sauce over the chicken. Garnish with 2 tbsp fresh cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Chicken Adobo take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (30 min prep + 30 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 Simmered Chicken Adobo?
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 Simmered Chicken Adobo?
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 Simmered Chicken Adobo 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 Simmered Chicken Adobo?
Puerto Rican 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This was a hit at my family dinner! My kids even asked for seconds.
- ★★★★★
Perfectly balanced, the adobo sauce was delicious. Made it for my Puerto Rican in-laws and they approved.
- ★★★★☆
Slightly bland for my taste, but the chicken was tender. Will add more garlic next time.
