Are you looking for a quick and flavorful dinner recipe? Look no further than Instant Pot Chicken Adobo! This classic Filipino dish is simple to make, packed with bold flavors, and beloved by many. Get ready to savor the taste of tradition with this delicious and easy-to-make Chicken Adobo
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Why This Recipe Works
- Authentic Flavor: This Chicken Adobo recipe captures the classic, savory-sweet taste of Filipino chicken adobo.
- Effortless Cooking: The Instant Pot makes this traditional dish simple and quick to prepare.
- Dinner Solution: It's a complete meal when served with rice, perfect for busy evenings.
🥘 Ingredients
Here are the ingredients for your Chicken Adobo Instant Pot dish:
- Chicken Thighs: The main protein source, they provide a juicy, flavorful base for the adobo sauce.
- Olive Oil: Used to sear the chicken, it adds richness and helps to lock in the juices.
- Salt, Kosher & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the chicken.
- Light Soy Sauce: Gives the dish its signature savory, umami flavor and a deep, appealing color.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the saltiness of the soy sauce with a hint of sweetness, while also contributing to a rich, caramelized exterior on the chicken.
- White Vinegar or Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy note that cuts through the richness of the dish, typical of the adobo cooking style.
- Minced Garlic: Infuses the dish with a robust, aromatic flavor that complements the savory elements.
- Bay Leaves: Add a subtle, herbal note that gives depth and complexity to the adobo sauce.
- Chives, Freshly Diced: Used as a garnish, they add a pop of fresh, onion-like flavor and a vibrant color contrast.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Chicken breast: Switch chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a different type of meat. You can also try chicken drumsticks as well.
- Fresh Chicken: If you don't have fresh chicken you may use frozen chicken as a substitute for this pressure cooker version of chicken adobo. Simply add an extra 4 minutes of pressure cooking time.
- Slow Cooker Adobo: To cook slow-cooked chicken adobo, pop all the ingredients into the crockpot for 4-5 hours and slow cook on high heat.
🔪 How to Cook Adobo Chicken in the Instant Pot
- Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to sauté and add the oil. Once the pot is hot, add the chicken and start to brown it off. Sauté the chicken for 2 minutes on each side, twice.
- Step 2: After the chicken is browned, add the vinegar and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any remnants to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Add the soy sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, and bay leaves.
- Step 4: Seal the Instant Pot lid and pressure valve. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 7 minutes.
- Step 5: Once cooked, allow the pressure to naturally release for ten minutes and then release the remaining pressure.
- Step 6: Remove the chicken and drizzle the adobo sauce over the chicken. Garnish the chicken pieces with chives and serve with steamed rice or cauliflower rice.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Searing the Chicken: When sautéing the chicken, ensure you sear it on each side for 2 minutes to lock in the flavors. This helps create a caramelized exterior that complements the rich, savory adobo sauce.
- Adjusting the Sweetness: If you prefer a more pronounced sweetness, feel free to add extra brown sugar. It balances the acidity of the vinegar and soy sauce, creating a more complex flavor profile.
- Using Frozen Chicken: If using frozen chicken, remember to add 4 extra minutes of cooking time for the Instant Pot. This ensures the chicken is properly cooked and tender.
- Enhancing the Sauce: For a thicker sauce, once the chicken is cooked, remove it and simmer the sauce on "Sauté" mode for a few minutes until it reaches the desired consistency. This step intensifies the flavors and gives a richer texture.
💭 FAQs
Adobo is a popular dish from the Philippines that is typically made with pork or chicken cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper.
It has become an iconic Filipino dish both locally and abroad. The combination of ingredients creates a unique flavor profile with just enough acidity to balance out the salty and savory notes in this delicious sauce.
Adobo chicken is not traditionally spicy, but it can be made more or less spicy depending on how much pepper is used. The heat level can also be adjusted by adding chili flakes or hot sauce of your choice.
No. You can use skinless chicken thighs but it’s not necessary. The flavor of the sauce will be more intense if you keep the skin on while cooking. You can use bone in chicken thighs for this tasty recipe.
You can use Frozen chicken, however as you need to saute and brown the chicken thighs, it is best to use fresh or defrosted chicken.
The brown sugar helps to balance out the strong flavors of the vinegar and soy sauce. This will give your chicken adobo a sweet, tangy flavor that is unique and delicious!
Yes, you can use low sodium soy sauce. The flavor of your chicken adobo will be slightly different than if you used regular soy sauce but it is still delicious!
Refrigerate leftover Chicken Adobo promptly, placing it in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze Chicken Adobo in a freezer-safe container or vacuum-sealed bag. Ensure proper labeling with the date for easy tracking. It can be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are my favorite appetizers to serve with Instant Pot Chicken Adobo:
- Red Cabbage Slaw: A zesty mix of shredded cabbage, carrots, and cilantro tossed in a tangy soy-sesame dressing for a refreshing contrast.
- Cucumber Salad: Sliced cucumbers in a light vinegar dressing is a great side for Chicken Adobo.
- Mango Pineapple Salsa: Sweet and spicy mango salsa with red onions and cilantro, adding a tropical twist to the savory chicken.
- Grilled Pineapple Skewers: Caramelized pineapple chunks on skewers, bringing a juicy and slightly smoky element to the table.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
Ingredients
- 5 Chicken Thighs
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt Kosher
- ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- ⅓ Cup Light Soy Sauce
- ¼ Cup Brown Sugar
- ¼ Cup White Vinegar or Rice Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Chives Freshly Diced
Instructions
- Turn On Saute Function: Set the Instant Pot to sauté and add the oil.
- Saute The Chicken: Once the pot is hot, add the chicken and start to brown it off. Sauté the chicken for 2 minutes on each side, twice.
- Add Vinegar And Deglaze: After the chicken is browned, add the vinegar and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any remnants to prevent burning.
- Add Flavors To Make Adobo Chicken: Add the soy sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, and bay leaves.
- Pressure Cook Adobo Chicken: Seal the Instant Pot lid and pressure valve. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 7 minutes.
- Naturally Release Adobo Chicken: Once cooked, allow the pressure to naturally release for ten minutes, and then release the remaining pressure.
- Remove Chicken: Remove the chicken and drizzle the adobo sauce over the chicken.
- Garnish And Serve Chicken Adobo: Garnish the chicken pieces with chives and serve with steamed rice or cauliflower rice
Nutrition
We hope you enjoy this delicious Instant Pot Chicken Adobo recipe! Bon Appetite!
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This dish is my go-to when I crave bold flavors with minimal effort. The Instant Pot makes it a breeze, and the result is tender, tangy chicken that's perfect over rice!