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
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.
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.
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.
Related Recipes
Chicken Adobo Recipe
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
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.
Mo says
My husband and I both loved this recipe, maybe just a little to salty for me.
Carolyn says
Try a low-sodium tamari next time! That should help.
Suzie Gibson says
Second time making this tonight. Dang! Why did I wait so long?!?!? Delicious <3
Suzie Gibson says
Made this for my family today. It was lick your plate good! Thank you!
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 Belgium
Debra Hulsebusch says
Delicious! Best thighs with a superb sauce.
lucy says
This was a keeper for me…another recipe that I (and my carb-loving partner!) was dazzled by. Thank you, Carolyn!
Carolyn says
So glad you liked it!