Description
This Instant Pot Chicken Adobo is a classic Filipino dish that’s known for its rich, savory, and tangy flavors. Tender chicken is braised in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices, making it a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 pound bone-in chicken thighs (or boneless)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
- 1 green onion, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
- Brown Chicken: Turn the Instant Pot to SAUTE mode and heat the olive oil (1 tablespoon). Add the chicken pieces and brown on all sides for several minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the remaining olive oil to the pot. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic, and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until softened.
- Deglaze and Add Flavors: Pour in the soy sauce, brown sugar, white vinegar, cayenne pepper, and water. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Turn off SAUTE mode.
- Add Chicken and Spices: Return the chicken to the pot in a single layer. Add the bay leaves and whole black peppercorns.
- Pressure Cook: Close the lid and set the valve to SEALING. Select PRESSURE COOK on HIGH PRESSURE and cook for 9 minutes.
- Natural Release: Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually by moving the valve to VENTING.
- Simmer and Thicken Sauce: Open the lid and press CANCEL. Remove the bay leaves. Select SAUTE mode and simmer the chicken adobo for 5-8 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Press CANCEL again.
- Serve: Serve the chicken adobo hot with rice and garnish with chopped green onions.
Notes
- Boneless chicken thighs can be used with no change in cooking time.
- Serve with steamed white rice or fried rice.
- Garnish with fresh scallions for added flavor and color.
- For a complete Filipino meal, serve with lumpia (Filipino spring rolls).
- This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 420kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
