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    Home » Recipes » Main Entrees

    Spicy Adobo Chicken

    Published: Feb 5, 2023 by Ashlee Welter · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This spicy adobo chicken is savory, zesty, and delicious. This simple recipe creates a juicy, tender piece of chicken and requires only one pan!

    spicy adobo chicken

    Spicy adobo chicken is a classic filipino dish that can easily be made in your own home. This recipe is the perfect easy weeknight dinner or meal prep option. The chicken can be marinated and prepped ahead of time, so all you have to do is cook it when you get home.

    This is a recipe with lots of spice. The amount of spice can easily be increased or decreased. I’ll give full instructions below on how to do this!

    Looking for more delicious chicken dishes? Check out this Mexican Marinated Chicken or this Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken.

    Jump to:
    • What is Adobo Chicken?
    • Reasons to Love This
    • Ingredients Needed
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Expert Tips
    •  Frequently Asked Questions
    • Related Recipes
    • Spicy Adobo Chicken

    What is Adobo Chicken?

    Adobo chicken simply refers to the cooking style in which the chicken is prepared. Adobo chicken is marinated in a combination of vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic.  The chicken is then cooked over the stove in the same marinade. This is a Filipino dish that tastes savory and spicy.  

    This spicy adobo chicken is different than traditional adobo chicken because it contains crushed red chili flakes and cayenne pepper. These ingredients increase the spice level of the dish. Add as much or as little as you like!

    Reasons to Love This

    • The chicken breast is perfectly tender, moist, and juicy! This is a melt-in-your-mouth recipe!
    • The recipe is easy to make and only requires one pan. Make sure to allow enough time for the chicken to marinate.
    • The spicy adobo chicken works great for meal prep: cut up several pieces of chicken and place them over a bed of rice in a meal prep container. Add extra veggies if desired.

    Ingredients Needed

    spicy adobo chicken ingredients

    White vinegar: this is the main component of an adobo chicken marinade. The acidity in the vinegar helps to tenderize the meat.

    Soy sauce: use a low-sodium soy sauce to prevent the meat from becoming too salty. You can also use tamari sauce as a gluten-free option.

    Garlic: minced garlic works best and adds flavor.

    Peppercorn: use whole peppercorn. It is located in the spice aisle.

    Red Chili pepper flakes: these add spice to the dish! Adjust based on your preferences

    Cayenne pepper: adds spice, start small and add more if desired

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Combine all ingredients except for the water and oil in a large bowl. Mix and allow the chicken to marinate for 1 hour.

    chicken marinating in adobo

    Once the chicken has finished marinating, heat the oil in a medium saucepan. Add the chicken and brown on each side for 3 minutes.

    adobo chicken in a sauce pan

    Add in the remaining marinade, cayenne pepper (optional), and water. Bring to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce to medium-low heat and simmer.

    Cover the pan with a lid and stir every couple of minutes. Simmer for 30 minutes. Chicken is done when it reaches 165F and is tender.

    Serving Suggestions

    Traditional chicken adobo is served with steamed white rice. This can also be served on top of brown rice, cauliflower rice, rice noodles, pasta, or quinoa. The juices from the marinade absorb into the rice or grain, which makes it a great way to serve.

    The chicken is perfect as a main entrée. Here are some easy side dishes to pair it with:

    • Hawaiian Side Salad
    • Instant Pot Asparagus
    • Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices
    spicy adobo chicken

    Expert Tips

    • Chicken must marinate for at least one hour and can marinate for up to 3 hours. It’s important not to skip this step!
    • Allowing the chicken to cook in a pan with a lid helps to trap steam inside, which results in a juicy and moist piece of chicken.
    • Add extra flavor by adding in some diced onions or bell peppers. Spicy adobo chicken with peppers is a very popular dish!

     Frequently Asked Questions

    Is this recipe spicy?

    The red chili pepper flakes and cayenne pepper add spice to this dish. Make it spicier by increasing the amount of these spices used. Start with a small amount of cayenne pepper and add more if needed.

    What type of chicken should I use?

    This recipe works best with chicken thighs. The thigh meat is a tender and juicy cut the absorbs the marinade well. Chicken drumsticks can also be used. You can also use chicken breasts or tenders. Make sure all chicken is boneless and skinless.

    Do I have to cook this on the stove?

    The spicy adobo chicken can also be cooked in the crock pot or the instant pot. Cooking times will vary!

    spicy adobo chicken

    Related Recipes

    • Buffalo Chicken Thighs (Baked or Grilled)
    • Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
    • Oven Baked Chicken Quarters
    • Mexican Chicken Marinade
    spicy adobo chicken

    Spicy Adobo Chicken

    Ashlee Welter - Pinch of Wellness
    Spicy adobo chicken is an easy Filipino recipe that can be made in under an hour. Add extra cayenne pepper to make it spicier!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Marinade 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 35 mins
    Course dinner, lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine Filipino
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 459 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • ¾ cup white vinegar
    • ½ cup soy sauce use tamari for gluten free option
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 6 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon black peppercorn whole
    • 1 teaspoon red chili peppers
    • 1 cup water
    • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, breast or drumsticks
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • Cayenne pepper optional, to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Combine the vinegar, soy sauce, bay leaves, minced garlic, peppercorn and red chili pepper flakes in a large bowl. Mix until combined.
    • Add the chicken and mix until coated. Place in the refrigerator and allow to marinade for 1 hour.
    • Once chicken has finished marinating, place a medium sauce pan over medium heat and add oil. When oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for3 minutes on each side to brown.
    • Add in the remaining marinade, cayenne pepper (optional) and water. Bring to a boil.
    • Once it reaches a boil, reduce to medium low heat, cover with a lid and simmer.
    • Simmer for 30 minutes, flipping the chicken every 5 minutes to prevent it from burning.
    • Chicken is done when it reaches 165F and is tender. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

    Notes

    Serving suggestions: serve on top of a bed of rice or quinoa. Add extra cayene pepper or jalapeno pepper to increase the spice level. 
    Nutrition information is based on ¼ of the recipe, including the marinade. Nutrition will vary based on the actual amount consumed. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 459kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Potassium: 905mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g
    Keyword dinner, easy, Gluten free, healthy chicken recipes, spicy
    Tried this recipe?Mention @pinchofwellness or tag #pinchofwellness!

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    Comments

    1. Janell Wallace

      February 06, 2023 at 6:49 am

      5 stars
      What a delicious take on normal chicken adobo. Love the spice options. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

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    ashlee welter pinch of wellness

    Hi, I'm Ashlee! I'm a Registered Dietitian with over 10 years of experience in nutrition, cooking, and health! I am an expert in developing gluten free and healthy recipes!

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