How to Cook Adobong Manok

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 15, 2021 Approved

Adobong manok, or Chicken Adobo, is a popular Asian Filipino cuisine. This delicious and aromatic native dish of the Philippines has been cooked for generations. It can be served atop of rice, with potatoes, or just plain.

Ingredients

1 whole chicken, cut into fist-sized pieces
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup vinegar
1 tsp sugar
Pinch of salt and peppercorn
3 bay leaves
1 cup water
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, pressed or chopped
Cooking oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cooking on the Stove

1
Heat the garlic and onion in oil on medium heat. Add the garlic first and cook until lightly brown. Then add the chopped onions and cook until it becomes translucent.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic and onion. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to keep the ingredients moving.
2
Add the chicken and stir. You don't have to use a whole chicken. Instead, you can use parts of the chicken you like the best.

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3
Add the soy sauce, vinegar, peppercorn, salt, sugar, water, and bay leaves. Stir and mix everything together.^{[1]
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4
Bring the chicken to a boil. Once everything begins to boil, turn your stove to low heat.^{[2]
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- Add more water to the mixture if you think the dish is too dry.
5
Let the chicken simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Cover the skillet and let the chicken simmer until it is tender.^{[3]
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- After 15 minutes, spoon the sauce over the chicken. Let it simmer for the rest of the remaining time.
- If you like your chicken dry, let it simmer for a little longer.
6
Serve and enjoy. You can serve the adobon manok on top of rice, with potatoes, or with bread. And pair it with a refreshing glass of cold soda or fresh juice.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Marinating the Chicken

1
Place the chicken in a bowl, container, or pan. You will be placing the bowl, container, or pan in the refrigerator so ensure that it is both big enough to fit all the chicken and fit inside your fridge.
- Place the chicken in a pan for convenience. You will be using the pan later on to cook.
2
Add soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, onion, peppercorn, salt, and bay leaves into the pan. Then cover and toss the chicken until it is completely covered with the sauce.^{[4]
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3
Cover and place the dish in the refrigerator. Let it marinate overnight for the best results.^{[5]
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- If you need to make the adobo in the same day, you can let your chicken marinate for 2 to 3 hours instead. However, it is always best to let your chicken marinate overnight to bring out the most flavour from the dish.
4
Cook the marinated chicken on the stove. Transfer your marinated chicken to a pan or to the stove and cook on medium heat. Add water.
5
Bring the chicken to a boil. Once everything begins to boil, turn your stove to low heat.
- Add more water to the mixture if you think the dish is too dry.
6
Let the chicken simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Cover the skillet and let the chicken simmer until it is tender.^{[6]
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- After 15 minutes, spoon the sauce over the chicken. Let it simmer for the rest of the remaining time.
- If you like your chicken dry, let it simmer for a little longer.
7
Serve and enjoy. You can serve the adobon manok on top of rice, with potatoes, or with bread. And pair it with a refreshing glass of cold soda or fresh juice.

Community Q&A

Question

How will I know when it's cooked?

Community Answer

I would say that you should use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken has reached 165 degrees. The juice should also run clear at the center.