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(4,860)
Notes
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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. Step

    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!

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?

SaavyFontaine

Apologies in advance for this regionally-specific comment, but it turns out that coconut vinegar is NOT easily found at Whole Foods or large Asian grocery stores; anyone looking for coconut vinegar and living in Seattle - Asian Family Market in Shoreline has it! I tried half a dozen stores (H-Mart, Uwajimaya, Lam's, Fil-Am...World Market, Met Market, random stores in Pike Place Market...) and was almost ready to give up!

laurie

This is pure magic –and foolproof, I think: Used boneless/skinless, halved the recipe, used coconut cream diluted w/ a bit of water for the coconut milk as that's what I had, and dried bay, ditto. I pulled the garlic mixture so I could get nice browning on chicken (w/out burning garlic) added back in w/ the liquids. Made in tagine. Incredibly tender, savory, delicious. Effortless. Ideal dinner party/potluck offering.

MassFamilyTravelers

With only 2 Lb. of chicken on hand (half the recommended amount) I halved all ingredients EXCEPT added almost a full can of lite coconut milk.Other additions: used all 15 cloves garlic (it's not too much -- cooks down soft and mild)1/2 t. white pepperZested some lime on top for flavor + colorNext time:Brown thighs in just 1 T of oil. Try finding coconut vinegar to see if it lends more coco flavorThat's it! Sauce reduced well, esp. at the end to produce a tasty, sumptuous sauce.

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Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the most important ingredient in adobo? ›

Most modern-day Filipino adobo is prepared with vinegar and soy sauce. Some families keep it simple with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. Others add fresh ginger or coconut milk.

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? ›

In Mexico, adobo sauce starts with dried chiles like guajillo and ancho peppers. The chiles are rehydrated and combined into a thick paste with an acid like vinegar or citrus juice and flavorful additions like onions, garlic, cumin, and oregano.

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.

What vinegar is best for 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 kind of vinegar is best for chicken adobo? ›

White vinegar is commonly used. Cane vinegar and apple cider vinegar works too. Garlic helps make adobo delicious. Use as many garlic as you prefer.

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.

What to do if adobo is bland? ›

Taste the sauce. If bland, add 1 tablespoon soy sauce & 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. If too salty, add 2 tablespoons of water.

How do I thicken my chicken adobo? ›

(For a thicker consistency, blend a small amount of flour with coconut milk, chicken broth, or water, then stir into sauce.) Make sure the meat stays moist and covered with the liquid. If meat looks like it's drying out, add a bit more chicken broth or water. Stir flour into coconut milk and add to the Dutch oven.

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.

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

Philippine adobo has a characteristically salty and sour, and often sweet, taste, in contrast to Spanish and Mexican adobos which are spicier or infused with oregano.

Which adobo is the best? ›

What's the best adobo to buy? The most popular brands are Badia, Goya, and McCormick. These dry adobos, which usually come labeled as adobo completo or complete seasoning, are mostly a blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, and other dry herbs and spices.

How do you balance 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.

Do you put MSG in adobo? ›

Adobo seasoning typically contains garlic powder, ground black pepper, oregano, and sometimes onion powder, cumin, paprika, bitter orange, saffron, chili powder, salt, turmeric, or msg depending on where the cook comes from.

Is distilled white vinegar good for adobo? ›

If those two vinegars are not available to you, you can also use just distilled white vinegar or palm vinegar. Soy sauce - We recommend using light sodium soy sauce. Water or stock - Chicken stock would provide more flavor and nutrition, but water will work just fine. Bay leaves - A must in adobo!

What is adobo usually made of? ›

The main ingredients of Philippine adobo are ingredients native to Southeast Asia, namely vinegar, soy sauce or fish sauce, peppercorns, garlic, and bay leaves. It does not traditionally use chilis, paprika, oregano, or tomatoes. Rather, adobo is characteristically salty and sour, and often sweet taste.

What is in adobo all-purpose seasoning? ›

directions. In a bowl, stir together the salt, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder. Store in a sealed jar in a cool, dry place.

What is the most common adobo? ›

Based on the main ingredients, the most common adobo types are adobong manók, in which chicken is used, and adobong baboy, in which pork is used. Adobong baka (beef), along with adobong manók (chicken), is more popular among Muslim Filipinos in accordance with halal dietary laws.

What is adobo seasoning made of? ›

Adobo seasoning is an all-purpose dry spice blend often found in Caribbean and Latin American cuisine. It typically contains salt, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, cumin, and oregano.

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