Slow-Simmered Adobo Chicken with Soy and Vinegar Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

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 drafted and published.

Tender chicken thighs simmered slowly in a balanced tangy soy-vinegar marinade infused with garlic and bay leaves for a classic Filipino comfort dish. This Filipino recipe, ready in about 60 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 320 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: 50 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
6 garlic cloves, smashed
3 bay leaves
1 tsp whole black peppercorns
2 tbsp cooking oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
to taste salt

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until skin is golden brown and crisp, then flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes.
Step 2: Remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, add 6 smashed garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
Step 3: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet. Pour in 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup white vinegar, and 1 cup water. Add 3 bay leaves, 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Stir gently to combine.
Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 35 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce is slightly thickened.
Step 5: Remove the lid and simmer uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to reduce the sauce to a glossy finish. Taste and season with salt as needed before serving.