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Filipino Chicken Adobo (Keto & Low Carb)

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This Filipino Chicken Adobo is a quick yet incredibly delicious chicken recipe. This simple, delightful glazed chicken meal is ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Made with a few everyday ingredients, I’m sure this national dish of Philipines is going to become a family favorite.

best chicken adobo recipe

What Is Filipino Chicken Adobo?

This Filipino chicken recipe is one of those easy chicken recipes dishes that so many people love. It’s the national dish of the Philipines and can be also made with pork and beef. 

The term “adobo” is obtained from the Spanish word “adobar,” which means “marinate.” The marinade for a chicken adobo recipe is traditionally based on vinegar and soy sauce in Filipino cuisine.

Adobo Chicken (Filipino) – Chicken cooked in vinegar and soy sauce with plenty of garlic. When it starts to simmer, your kitchen will fill with a delightfully sweet and tangy fragrance that will make you instantly crave it.

Chicken Adobo is a basic chicken stew originating from the Philippines. Chicken is marinated in soy sauce and spices before being pan-fried and stewed until tender.

This meal became famous due to its excellent taste and easy way of preparation.

The key ingredients are chicken thighs, vinegar, black peppercorn, and soy sauce. Use any parts of the chicken like bone-in thighs, legs, or wings. 

easy keto chicken adobo recipe

There are so many ideas you can do with just a few good quality chicken thighs, yet I frequently get caught in a routine of preparing the same recipes over and over again. This Chicken Adobo is a quick and easy way to change things up. It’s a simple one-pan dish, and if you haven’t tried it before, now it’s the time!

Ingredients For Keto Filipino Chicken Adobo

You’ll be surprised to discover that you can prepare a highly delicious Filipino Chicken Adobo with just a few easy ingredients that will impress everyone.

chicken adobo section
  • Chicken Thigh – It is impossible to substitute with chicken breast because the sauce requires fat that helps the sauce become shiny.
  • Garlic Cloves – a traditional ingredient when it comes to cooking this delicious Filipino chicken adobo, you can’t go wrong with adding some minced garlic.
  • Soy Sauce –  If you’re looking for a gluten-free sauce, you can use Tamari or Coconut Aminos for a soy-free alternative. Soy sauce adds the perfect saltiness, and you can choose low sodium soy sauce.
  • White vinegar – choose any white (regular) vinegar you have on hand. Substitute with any clear vinegar, including rice wine, apple cider, sherry vinegar;
  • Bay Leaves – Add 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme or dry oregano in place of the dried bay leaves. Bay Leaves provide a delicious minty flavor.
  • Olive Oil – You can choose any other oil with a neutral taste. Avocado oil is a great option.
  • Yellow onion –you can replace it with a different type of onion, such as red or white.
  • Brown Sugar – To give this chicken a classic sweet flavor, I used Swerve brown sugar replacement. Brown sugar alternative caramelizes better than liquid or granular sweeteners; that’s why I recommend using it. If you don’t care about carbs, use regular brown sugar.
  • Black Pepper – Whole black pepper can be used here.

How To Make Filipino Chicken Adobo

To make this delicious Keto Filipino Chicken Adobo, you have to follow some easy steps.

filipino chicekn adobo step by step instructions
  1. Make the Marinade – In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, garlic cloves, and bay leaves. Marinate the chicken for at least 20 minutes, best overnight.
  2. Pan Sear the Chicken – heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Brown the chicken thighs on both sides (save the marinade) for about 6 minutes, turning once halfway. Remove the cooked chicken and keep warm.marinate the chicken and pan sear
  3. Cook the garlic and onion – Add garlic and onion to the same pan and cook until softened. Then, add the remaining marinade and the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, and then turn the heat to medium-low.
  4. Cook the chicken – Reduce the heat and return the chicken thighs. Simmer for an additional 20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Turn the chicken on the other side halfway through cooking.
  5. Serve – Enjoy garnished with green onions over rice (cauliflower rice) and soy sauce pickled cucumbers.how to serve filipino chicken adobo

Tips For Making The Best Keto Filipino Chicken Adobo

  1. The marinade is an essential element of making Chicken Adobo. Marinating your chicken longer in the rich mix of adobo spices will make it more flavorful. The longer it stays in the freezer(preferably overnight), the better your chicken will absorb the wonderful flavor of the marinade.
  2. Make Shredded Chicken Adobo using skinless chicken breasts. Marinate before adding to the slow cooker without previously grilling. Cook for 2-3 hours in the slow cooker, then remove and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce — delectable!

How To Serve 

 I like to serve this chicken with cauliflower rice, but there are so many other options:

  • lettuce wraps for lunch
  • steamed broccoli
  • any stir fry
  • on top of a salad
  • in tacos using a low carb tortilla
filipino chicken adobo recipe

How To Store Authentic Filipino Adobo

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop when ready to eat.

To store in the freezer, transfer the chicken into an airtight container and place it in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Can I Make Chicken Adobo in an Instant Pot?

Yes, this is a great option to make Filipino Chicken Adobo as well. The pressure cooker infuses every bite of chicken. The best part is that you don’t need to marinate it when you use the Instant Pot!

This dish can be made in a slow cooker or roasted in the oven. To prepare it in the slow cooker, simply combine all ingredients and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.

If you want to make it in the oven, I recommend marinating it overnight prior. Then bake it uncovered for 40 minutes at 375 degrees F.

delicious chicken adobo recipe

Looking for More Chicken Recipes? Try These:

filipino chicken adobo recipe

Filipino Chicken Adobo (Keto & Low Carb)

5 from 3 votes

Prep time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Yelds 4 servings
Author Ioana Borcea from LowCarbSpark.com

Description
 

This Filipino Chicken Adobo is a quick yet incredibly delicious chicken recipe. This simple, delightful glazed chicken meal is ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Made with a few everyday ingredients, I’m sure this national dish of Philipines is going to become a family favorite.
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs large chicken thighs boneless and skinless, 6-8 pieces

To marinate:

  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce or low sodium
  • 1/3 cup white vinegar
  • 4 dried bay leaves or fresh

To Cook

  • 2 tbsp oil separated (vegetable, canola or peanut)
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar substitute
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 tbsp whole black pepper

To Serve:

  • 2 green onion sliced

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken thighs and toss well. Marinate for 20 minutes or overnight.
  • Place a large pan over medium-high heat and add one tablespoon of oil. Sear the marinated chicken on both sides for about 2-3 minutes. Do not cook the chicken completely. Remove chicken from the skillet and keep warm.
  • Add the remaining oil to the skillet. Cook onion and garlic, constantly stirring until the onion is softened and fragrant.
  • Add the remaining marinade, water, brown sugar substitute, and black pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes and reduce the heat.
  • Return the chicken back to the pan and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes (no need to stir), turning the chicken halfway through. Cook until the sauce starts to look glossy and it’s thickened.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving.
Calories
298kcal
Total Carbs
5g
Net Carbs
4g
Protein
35g
Fat
14g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
2g

How do we calculate the nutrition info?

These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.

Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Keyword chicken adobo
Tried this recipe?Mention @LowCarbSpark or tag #LowCarbSpark!
Filipino Chicken Adobo (Keto & Low Carb)Filipino Chicken Adobo (Keto & Low Carb)
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Ioana

Ioana is a food and travel lover. Her greatest passion is developing mouthwatering recipes that are comforting, easy to make, and budget friendly! She firmly believes that cooking should be fun! About me...

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About me

Hello! My name is Ioana Borcea, and I'm here to provide you with mouthwatering recipes. This blog is all about sharing my favorite tested easy to make, delicious low-carb & keto, nutrient-dense recipes.

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