Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo Recipe (2024)

By Angela Dimayuga

Updated Feb. 29, 2024

Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo Recipe (1)

Total Time
1¾ hours
Rating
5(4,878)
Notes
Read community notes

When I left home, adobo was a dish I could cook off the top of my head. The name was bestowed by Spanish colonizers, referring to the use of vinegar and seasonings to preserve meat, but the stew existed long before their arrival. It is always made with vinegar, and often soy sauce, but there are as many adobo recipes as there are Filipino cooks. In this version, coconut — present in three forms: milk, oil and vinegar — brings silkiness and a hint of elegance. Every ingredient announces itself; none are shy. The braised whole peppercorns pop in your mouth.

Featured in: Angela Dimayuga’s 10 Essential Filipino Recipes

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Ingredients

Yield:6 to 8 servings

  • 2tablespoons coconut oil
  • 15garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 2teaspoons whole black peppercorns, plus 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½teaspoon red-pepper flakes
  • 4pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks and thighs
  • 1cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • ½cup coconut vinegar
  • ½cup soy sauce
  • 8fresh bay leaves
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

643 calories; 47 grams fat; 18 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 16 grams monounsaturated fat; 8 grams polyunsaturated fat; 12 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 0 grams sugars; 40 grams protein; 1064 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo Recipe (2)

Preparation

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  1. Step

    1

    In a large pot, heat the coconut oil over medium-high until shimmering. Add the garlic, whole peppercorns, freshly ground pepper and red-pepper flakes, drop the temperature to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is toasted and softened and mixture is fragrant, about 5 minutes.

  2. Add the chicken, skin-side down, and cook over medium-high, undisturbed, until fat starts to render, about 5 minutes.

  3. Step

    3

    Stir in the coconut milk, coconut vinegar, soy sauce, bay leaves and 1 cup water, and let the mixture come to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the chicken feels loosened and just about falling off the bone, stirring halfway through, about 1 hour.

  4. Step

    4

    Increase the temperature to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened to a velvety gravy, about 15 minutes. Serve chicken and sauce over rice.

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Andy

Coconut vinegar? Is there a substitute for that?

RoLo

Is there a reasonable substitute for coconut vinegar?

PGH

Coconut vinegar is easily found at Asian grocery stores, most regular stores, and online. Sugarcane vinegar is a good substitute. If you can’t get those, regular white vinegar is best in Filipino adobo recipes.

AA

If I had to find a replacement for coconut vinegar, I'd go with rice wine vinegar.Also in step 3 where your simmering the sauce for an hour, it might help to put a lid half-way covered so you don't lose a lot of water by evaporation. Check half way through and if it's too watery, maybe dispense with the lid.

Susan B. A.

Two tips:1. Coconut vingegar is at at Whole Foods (International aisle) and maybe at your local market. It's a very mild, low acid vinegar and if you only needed a tbls or 2, subbing apple cider is fine. But 4 oz? That's a lot. It will affect the dish. 2. I make this in a pressure cooker. After browning chicken, I add other ingredients (with a bit less liquid - no evaporation); cook 5 minutes on Soup button (no boil), w/15 minute release.Absolutely Fabulous, with more intense flavor!

Maryland mom

I took the garlic out of the pot with a slotted spoon before I put chicken in (Step 2) to brown… put garlic back in on top of the chicken once it was all skin down.

A. Hannoun

I regularly use unseasoned rice vinegar as a substitute for coconut vinegar. General rule when substituting coconut vinegar is to seek a vinegar that has as much a neutral colour/flavour as possible.

drew ross

I have made many adobo dishes but this is up there with the best. So simple and it had a nice subtle coconut background note to the adobo flavors. Not overwhelming at all. I had to render the chicken skin in two batches so I took out the garlic with the first batch to prevent the garlic from burning. Served over jasmine rice with some sriracha.

Eric Phillips

You can find coconut vinegar at your local Asian market. If you can't find any then plain white vinegar is a fine substitute.

Barbara

Whole Foods carries coconut vinegar

AngelxChic

You can use boneless chicken, just decrease the amount of braising liquid and time.

Daphne

I am Filipina and have made my chicken adobo only one way, which did not include anything coconut. I very cautiously decided to make Ms. Dimayuga's recipe for Christmas 2019 and it did not disappoint. I followed the recipe, except toned down the red pepper (red pepper?!) for my guests with milder tastes. The meat fell off the bone and the coconut flavor added a different element to a familiar favorite. To those who worry about the oiliness/separation: it is common and happens as the fat renders.

Rohan

You can rice vinegar if you can’t find coconut vinegar. Rice vinegar is easily found at your local supermarket in the Asian food section. Vinegar is chemically speaking a diluted form of acetic acid. It can be made naturally by the oxidation of alcohol. So depending on the country of origin vinegar is made using fermented rice , coconut sap , apple cider or grain. Once the fermented product is oxidized you get vinegar.

Mike T

After a few attempts and phone calls I was able to find Coconut Vinegar in an small Vietnamese Grocery store. Strangely, it wasn't available in my local big chain Korean grocery which almost always has everything Asian and ten different types of it! The dish was amazingly good; I can see how regular white vinegar would be too heavy-handed for it. Make the effort to find a store that carries the Coconut version or order it online. It'll be worth the wait!

Cheryl

At a very upscale price! For less expensive, check your local Asian grocery store and it'll probably be about half the price. Side plus: you get to support a local community business!

v

Cliff notes version: Sauté spices and garlic in instant pot; poor liquids. Place raw chicken on top (mine is frozen most of the time). Pressure cook 30 mins.

Aran Kaufer

Add paprika

chef

There’s a video when you click on the picture that i recommend following as a lot of the advice in the comments are in the video but not instructions! The chef includes that they brown the chicken first with the peppercorns and flakes before adding the garlic!

Kristina

I also noticed that there's a chili missing from the list of ingredients that she adds in the video!

Bob

This was yummy. Couldn't find coconut vinegar, so used rice vinegar instead. Tasted it halfway through and it seemed a bit too vinegary so i added some extra coconut milk and an extra dash of soy sauce to compensate. Came out perfect with just the right amount of heat. I also skimmed off a bit of the fat, as there's a lot. Everyone loved it and like all stew recipes it was great reheated the next day.

brenna

This turned out fabulously. I will definitely make it again, but next time I’ll strain the sauce before serving. It’s a lot of peppercorns to fish out at the table otherwise.

Stefanie

Used a whole block of tofu and large chunks of romanesco instead of chicken, absolutely delicious.

Colin

My word, amazing dish, going to make it again next week. Only change was rice vinegar for coconut, otherwise followed to the letter. Yum!

Tom C

The recipe as written is a great way to enjoy burnt garlic and a sea of grease. Next time I'll render the chicken separately and then add it and the other liquids to the pan with the sauteed garlic and pepper.

Terry O’Neill

A boo too salty. Next time I will use reduced sodium soya. A real winner.

hz

After browning chx, followed another commenter's instantpot method of 5 mins on Soup setting 15 mins before manual release. Perfection! Super easy & delicious worknight dinner. 1/4 C each soy cause and vinegar (rice) 1 can coconut milk (no h2o). Served with rice and wokked zucchini.

Robin

Have made this both exactly as written, and with about two inches of chopped ginger added at the same time as the garlic. Both versions are great.

liza

I also couldn’t find coconut vinegar but had coconut aminos on hand, so I did a mix of coconut aminos with rice wine vinegar to substitute and it came out perfectly. Such a wonderful recipe to make head and enjoy throughout the week if cooking for just one or two people. Passes the “do I want the leftovers” test - flavors get better over a day or two - and now I’m about to make it again because I’m craving it.

KB

This is our favorite recipe on the New York Times, and we have made it dozens of times. Just use the whole can of coconut milk, and sub the soy sauce with low sodium soy sauce (use the same amount called for in the recipe). I had fun experimenting with Korean chili flakes. When we run out of coconut vinegar, we used rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar, but coconut vinegar and coconut oil is definitely the best.

Ally

UNBELIEVABLY DELICIOUS. I desire to eat this every day!!!!!!

Jono

How do you feel about instapot for this?

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Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the most important ingredient in adobo? ›

The most basic ingredient of adobo is vinegar, which is usually coconut vinegar, rice vinegar, or cane vinegar (although sometimes white wine or cider vinegar can also be used). Almost every ingredient can be changed according to personal preference.

What if I add too much water to my adobo? ›

The more water you use in your adobo, the longer your adobo cooks. This also means more time for your meat to absorb flavor and fully tenderize. But too much water can waterlog your adobo, which risks losing all the flavor you've already developed up to this point.

What makes adobo taste good? ›

Try to use natural vinegar instead of distilled white vinegar. Salty – Soy sauce, garlic, and chicken balance any bitterness and enhance sweet flavours. Sweet – Adding sugar or oyster sauce to your dish will boost sweetness to complement the soy sauce. Savoury – Bay leaves enhance overall dish flavour.

Why do you not stir vinegar in adobo? ›

You can stir it while it's simmering or boiling. But, as for my father's words, do not stir it after you add the vinegar because "it may ruin the taste of the adobo." Bay leaves are quite optional to put when I cook my adobo. Salt is optional, too, because all the salty taste will be coming from the soy sauce.

What kind of vinegar is best for chicken adobo? ›

Many Filipino chicken adobo recipes will also tell you that using entirely white vinegar is fine. The first time I made chicken adobo, I used white vinegar and it was quite tasty, though I like this recipe better. Other recipes prefer apple cider vinegar, which is a bit less sharp and acidic than white vinegar.

What are the original ingredients in adobo? ›

The colonization of Puerto Rico began in the early 1500s, bringing many of the same Spanish influences to the island. As is the case in Mexico, adobo in Puerto Rico most traditionally refers to a wet marinade consisting of garlic, some kind of acid (vinegar or citrus), oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

What makes the adobo last longer? ›

To keep their edibles fresh for a longer period, they used plenty of vinegar and salt since the elevated acidity and high sodium content produced a hazardous environment for spoilage-causing bacteria. The Chinese traders who later visited our islands introduced soy sauce to early Filipinos.

Why do you put bay leaves in adobo? ›

Garlic: A generous amount of garlic cloves infuse the dish with a pungent aroma and flavor, a key component in the depth of adobo's taste profile. Bay leaves: Add a distinctive fragrance and herbal note.

Can I use regular vinegar for adobo? ›

If you are referring to the Filipino version of Chicken or pork adobo, then it usually calls for Filipino palm vinegar, but if palm vinegar is not readily available you can most certainly use white, rice-wine, or cider vinegar. Chicken adobo is a great dish to eat with rice as a side-dish.

What vegetables go in adobo? ›

I've since learned that the technique of searing and then softening in sauce extends to other vegetables: Mushrooms, cabbage, cauliflower, okra, squash, and even wilted greens like water spinach all welcome the process of adobo. Writer Ria Elciario makes green bean adobo, topped with crumbled tofu.

How do you fix the taste of adobo? ›

“Some people add coconut milk; some cooks add a bit of sweetness in the form of sugar, honey, ripe fruit or even preserves to round out the adobo's sharp acidity and saltiness,” Ponseca writes.

What is the difference between Spanish adobo and Filipino adobo? ›

The addition of soy sauce in the recipe came by way of Chinese traders. Similar to Filipino adobo, the Spanish version is a cooking process that involves preservation. However, except for the vinegar, the ingredients are vastly different. The Spanish adobar is red from paprika and spicy from chilies.

Is it okay to put ketchup in adobo? ›

Stir together the vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and bay leaves in a large saucepan. Add the cubed pork, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the pork is tender, about 2 1/2 hours.

How do you fix adobo with too much soy sauce? ›

Incorporate Lemon Juice, Vinegar or Sugar

Many cooks combat a salty dish with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar. You can also try mixing in a sweetener like white sugar, brown sugar, honey or agave syrup. The goal is to dilute the soy sauce and to create a harmonious blend of flavors.

How do you fix too much vinegar in chicken adobo? ›

If you taste the sauce and find there is too much vinegar for your liking, add a little more chicken broth and a touch more raw honey.

What is the most common adobo? ›

Adobong Baboy and Adobong Hipon

In a country where pork is the king of all proteins, adobong baboy, or pork adobo, is the most popular, and the one that benefits most from the braising to turn the meat tender and help it soak up flavor. Especially when partnered with intensely garlicky fried rice.

What are the factors of adobo? ›

Adobo is a savory and tangy dish typically made with meat (such as chicken or pork), marinated in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns.

What is adobo and why is it important? ›

There's no doubt that adobo is a mainstay in Philippine cuisine — thanks to its complex flavours rooted from a simple vinegar-braised method, it's one of the most well-known gateway dishes that introduces foreigners to the curious and nuanced world of Filipino food.

Why is Filipino adobo so important? ›

They did this as a means of preservation because the acidic nature of vinegar prevented the growth of bacteria in their foods, which was critical due to the high humidity in the Philippine islands. The original purpose of adobo was essentially born out of survival and longevity.

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