Published: by Carolyn
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This Chicken Adobo recipe is a dinnertime flavor explosion! With juicy, succulent chicken thighs in a tangy, zesty sauce, it will become an instant family favorite.
It’s been a long time since I revisited this easy Chicken Adobo, and I had forgotten how much I love it. It used to be a staple in our house, made for dinner with semi-regularity. But I hesitate to admit that I haven’t made it in many years.
In a donkey’s age, as my mother used to say!
I was suddenly inspired to resurrect this Keto Chicken Adobo, and I couldn’t believe I let it languish in obscurity for so long. If you want an easy keto dinner recipe that has everyone begging for second helpings, this is the one!
And check out my French Onion Chicken recipe while you’re at it.
Why you need to make this recipe
Chicken Adobo is a famous Filipino dish, and rightly considered the “unofficial” national dish of the country. A friend of Filipino heritage introduced me to it when I lived in Boston, but strangely, it never occurred to me to request her family recipe.
Then I chanced upon it in a cookbook and started making it for my family. They loved it from the get-go. I made a few simple modifications, and low and behold, I had created Keto Chicken Adobo. That was back in 2011, if you can believe it!
It’s an easy recipe that has minimal prep work, and it results the most tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken you’ve ever had. The final step of grilling or broiling creates a crispy finish that almost resembles burnished gold.
It also makes plenty of luscious, tangy sauce too. Pair it with some coconut cauliflower rice to soak up all that deliciousness!
Reader Reviews
“I made this last week and it was delicious. Served with Cauliflower RIce and Green Beans. I over did the sauce at the end so it was way to thick, but the chicken as prepared was outstanding. Will be a regular on our menu.” — John D.
“What a great recipe! This was embarrassingly easy to make and with a stellar result. I’ve had beef adobo and hadn’t ever made any adobo myself until tonight. A big hit with the hubby and we’ll definitely be having this again. Thanks!” — Anonymous
“Your Chicken Adobo recipe is out of this world. I made it tonight only because you recommended it as one of the best chicken dishes you make. I can appreciate why you would. The chicken was moist and tender and the sauce added a wonder flavor and a sense of something really special.” — Sandra
Ingredients you need
- Bone-in chicken thighs: Bone-in chicken makes this Chicken Adobo recipe hearty and satisfying. You can use all thighs or a combination of thighs and drumsticks.
- Tamari: I prefer tamari because it has a stronger flavor than soy sauce, and is gluten-free. But soy sauce works as well.
- Apple cider vinegar: You can also use white vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Swerve Brown:A little sweetener balances the acidity and helps caramelize the chicken and sauce. You can skip it if you prefer.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic for a classic flavor.
- Seasonings: Bay leaves and peppercorns are standard in chicken adobo, and I like to add a little bit of red pepper flakes as well.
Step-by-step directions
1. Prepare the sauce: Combine the soy sauce, vinegar, water, Swerve brown, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns together in a large skillet or dutch oven. The skillet should be large enough to accommodate the chicken in a single layer. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
2. Add the chicken: Add the chicken, skin-side down and reduce the heat to medium low. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, turning once during cooking.
3. Broil the chicken: Preheat the broiler. Place the chicken on a broiling pan and set 3 to 4 inches from the heat source. Broil on both sides until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
4. Reduce the sauce: Meanwhile, increase the heat on the sauce in the pan until it boils vigorously. Cook until reduced to about 1 cup.
5. Serve: Drizzle the chicken with sauce and sprinkle with green onion. Pass any remaining sauce around at the table
Expert tips
It’s pretty hard to mess up adobo, so this is a very forgiving recipe. Don’t cook the chicken too long in the liquids, or they will become so tender, you will end up with shredded chicken.
While it’s not standard for chicken adobo, I do recommend the step of broiling the chicken. It helps caramelize the chicken to a beautiful burnished gold
Garnish with some fresh cilantro or green onions. If you like it spicy, you can add more red pepper flakes or even a little jalapeño.
You can serve it over cilantro lime cauliflower rice or with some Keto Sesame Noodles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chicken adobo contain?
Chicken adobo is a delightfully tangy Filipino dish that contains chicken thighs, soy sauce, vinegar, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Some recipes add ginger or hot peppers for additional flavor.
How many carbs are in Chicken Adobo?
As long as you don’t add sugar and are mindful of other ingredients, you can enjoy Chicken Adobo on a keto diet. This recipe has only 1.9g of carbs per serving.
How do I store leftover chicken adobo?
If you have any leftover adobo, store it in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 4 months.
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Chicken Adobo Recipe
This Chicken Adobo recipe is a dinnertime flavor explosion! With juicy, succulent chicken thighs in a tangy, zesty sauce, it will become an instant family favorite.
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: chicken adobo, chicken adobo recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 386kcal
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup tamari or soy sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon Swerve Brown (optional)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 whole bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 ½ lbs bone-in chicken thighs (or a combination of thighs and drumsticks)
- 1 medium green onion, thinly sliced
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Combine the tamari, vinegar, water, Swerve brown, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns together in a large skillet or dutch oven. The skillet should be large enough to accommodate the chicken in a single layer. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
Add the chicken, skin-side down and reduce the heat to medium low. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, turning once during cooking.
Preheat the broiler. Place the chicken on a broiling pan and set 3 to 4 inches from the heat source. Broil on both sides until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Meanwhile, increase the heat on the sauce in the pan until it boils vigorously. Cook until reduced to about 1 cup.
Drizzle the chicken with sauce and sprinkle with green onion. Pass any remaining sauce around at the table.
Notes
Storage Information: Store any leftover adobo in a covered container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 4 months.
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Adobo Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 thigh)
Calories 386Calories from Fat 229
% Daily Value*
Fat 25.4g39%
Carbohydrates 1.9g1%
Fiber 0.3g1%
Protein 32.6g65%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Secrets to Keto Baking
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them.I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
Reader Interactions
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.Comments
Suzie Gibson says
Made this for my family today. It was lick your plate good! Thank you!Reply
Marie-Jeanne says
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT !!! I made it the other week and it was ever so delicious !!! I most definitely will make it again, and again and again (and again -;)) !!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT !!! MJ from BelgiumReply
Debra Hulsebusch says
Delicious! Best thighs with a superb sauce.Reply
lucy says
This was a keeper for me…another recipe that I (and my carb-loving partner!) was dazzled by. Thank you, Carolyn!
Reply
Carolyn says
So glad you liked it!
Reply
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