Filipino stewed chicken in coconut cream and vinegar

Adobo sa Gata

Chicken adobo! I learned this recipe from my long time reader Josephine during my Gapshida trip in the Philippines! It was a great chance to meet her face to face because she had already been sharing her amazing Korean food photos with me and my other readers for years. Her husband Cyrus volunteered to be our cameraman. It was hot day, but also a great opportunity for me to meet such an avid reader to cook and film together. In the evening we had a wonderful potluck meetup with my super-passionate readers in the Philippines.

The recipe is very simple and the taste is awesome. I’m always interested to learn recipes from different cultures, so I made my own chicken adobo when I got back home to New York. It was delicious!

Ingredients (for 4 servings)

  • 1 kg chicken (2.2 pounds), cut into pieces
  • 6 cloves garlic, crushed
  • ¼ ts ground white pepper
  • ½ cup white or cane vinegar
  • 2 pieces of bay leaves
  • 1 tbs vegetable oil
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • 1 cup coconut cream
  • 1 ts kosher salt
  • 1 ts fish sauce
  • 2-5 green chillies

     

Directions

(cooking time: 1 hour)

  1. In a mixing bowl, create the marinade by combining the crushed garlic, ground white pepper, vinegar and bay leaves.
  2. Add the chicken to the marinade and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
  3. Heat up a pan and add the vegetable oil. Add the chicken pieces and saute until they’re brown on all sides. Save the marinade for later.
  4. Add the coconut milk and the marinade to the pan, and cook for 20 minutes over medium heat until the liquid thickens.
  5. Remove excess fat from the pan with a spoon.
  6. Add the coconut cream and green chilies and cook over low heat for another 5-10 minutes until a creamy sauce is formed.
  7. Add salt and fish sauce.
  8. Serve hot with rice.

Posted on Thursday, March 1st, 2012 at 2:32 pm. Last updated on July 29, 2021.
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15 Comments:

  1. Tialamala Seattle, WA joined 8/14 & has 3 comments
    Posted August 1st, 2014 at 8:53 pm | or create a profile.

    Wow, I’m half Filipino so I’ve eaten a lot of adobo, but I didn’t know there was a white, creamy variety. I definitely want to try this.

  2. alaynevc Philippines joined 11/13 & has 1 comment
    Posted November 5th, 2013 at 10:45 am | or create a profile.

    Hi Maangchi! I’m a Filipina. I’m your fan! I loved korean foods especially jjampong, Soondubu jjigae, Sujebi, and of course kimchi! I always watch your videos in youtube it makes me salivate!!! Then while I’m browsing your recipes I’m shocked and feel proud that you featured a filipino food in your website. OMG your the best Maangchi!

  3. janicedale Australia joined 2/12 & has 16 comments
    Posted March 14th, 2012 at 10:09 pm | or create a profile.

    Chicken Adobo but it is different from the Adobo cooked in a thin brown soy sauce and vinegar. It has coconut cream that made the Adobo really tasteful. I want to try this new version of Adobo for my family.Thanks for the recipe.

  4. fhoenix philippines joined 2/12 & has 3 comments
    Posted March 12th, 2012 at 9:16 am | or create a profile.

    . im so happy when you featured a filipino dish in your channel and site. i hope this will not be the last :) thank you!! hope you come back again here!!

  5. Eva8232 New York joined 5/11 & has 2 comments
    Posted March 8th, 2012 at 4:15 pm | or create a profile.

    Maangchi,
    I am thrilled to see your post on the chicken adobo. Depending on your family tradition and the region where you came from, there are hundred versions on how adobo is cooked. The most common version is cooked with soy sauce instead of coconut milk. I do enjoy both versions.
    My suggestion to those who cannot have access to cane vinegar is to dilute the white vinegar with water. When I first came here in the US (like you, I reside in NY), I used the white vinegar.
    I am sorry that you did not get good accommodations during your stay in Manila. I hope the Filipino spirit more than makes it up for you. I am sure had you asked for recommendation from local followers, you would have had better place to stay.
    I would like to request if you can post a recipe for white kimchi. I’ve seen it a lot of Kdrama that I am very fond of watching. Thank you and good luck on your future projects.

  6. jaylivg Houston joined 7/10 & has 107 comments
    Posted March 6th, 2012 at 6:32 pm | or create a profile.

    does adobo supposed to be sour due to the vinegar ?? how is the taste supposed to be ?? i am making this tonight for dinner . I didn’t use cane vinegar , instead i used white vinegar , but i found it very sour . So i was wondering is it supposed to be that way ??

  7. Janetskie Korea joined 1/12 & has 1 comment
    Posted March 5th, 2012 at 11:25 pm | or create a profile.

    One of my favorite. Im follower of your sites i just already now register.

  8. sammiew new hampshire joined 7/11 & has 1 comment
    Posted March 3rd, 2012 at 9:59 pm | or create a profile.

    Hi Maangchi!
    I’m half Filipino and my mom’s adobo is made in a thin brown sauce with anise and hard boiled eggs like you make in your jangjorim. This version looks so yummy as well! I lived in the Philippines for two years when I was quite little and I miss all the food there!

  9. chef Benedict Manila, Philippines joined 11/11 & has 45 comments
    Posted March 2nd, 2012 at 9:39 am | or create a profile.

    wow it reminds me of gapshida philippines 2011 and its an honor that you present a filipino food and by the way adobo is a common thing in the philippines but it is our national dish… thanks for all! :D you remember me right i am the one who bring a mandu guk and korean fried chicken and with a picture who cooked a korean fried chicken instead of chicken its fish but you know the truth is you inspire me even my friends also follow you! :D

  10. anniegurumi Shanghai, China joined 11/11 & has 3 comments
    Posted March 2nd, 2012 at 7:34 am | or create a profile.

    Oh Maangchi this looks absolutely delicious!

  11. Imre The Netherlands joined 11/09 & has 13 comments
    Posted March 1st, 2012 at 6:21 pm | or create a profile.

    Wow Maangchi, this looks great and very tasty. Might as well try this tomorrow ;).
    Bye bye!

  12. Joyce Irvine, CA. joined 9/09 & has 17 comments
    Posted March 1st, 2012 at 3:00 pm | or create a profile.

    Hi Maangchi! I’m back! Sorry I’ve been busy…. Baby is now 10-months old.

    Anyway, I saw your post on FB and I wanted to congratulate you for learning to cook Adobo. Looks so yummy!!!

    Remember, I have my Dad’s Adobo Recipe on my blog too http://doyd74.wordpress.com/2010/06/10/pork-and-chicken-adobo/

    Kudos to you and your Adobo.

    • Maangchi New York City joined 8/08 & has 12,047 comments
      Posted March 2nd, 2012 at 9:26 am | or create a profile.

      Joyce, yes I remember your adobo blog! The recipe was handed down by your father! “..when I was little and we had a school field trip for Girl Scouts, my Dad would cook adobo so I can pack it for our lunch…” Food is closely tied to our memories!

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