This Instant Pot Filipino chicken adobo recipe will bring an authentic flavor to your dinner table in less time with alternative ingredient swaps! It combines the perfect balance of salty and tangy. The most common ingredients you’ll find in Filipino chicken adobo are vinegar, soy sauce, bay leaves, and peppercorn. I hope you guys enjoy my Instant Pot version of Filipino chicken adobo.
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What is Filipino Chicken Adobo?
Filipino chicken adobo is a popular dish that involves chicken being marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and black peppercorns. It’s considered the unofficial national dish of the Philippines!
Since Filipinos live in sub-tropical environments, they would often prepare their food using vinegar and salt to keep them fresh longer during pre-colonial times. The vinegar inhibits the growth of bacteria, which is attributed to its longer shelf life.
It is often served with rice daily and is a popular dish choice for mountaineers and travelers.
What is an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is a programmable pressure cooker that speeds up cooking by up to 2 to 10 times while using up to 70% less energy.
In short, it’s a very multi-purpose cooking appliance and has been a kitchen appliance staple of mine for the last two years.
It’s simply the perfect go-to appliance for busy weeknights!
If you’re unsure what size Instant Pot to get, here is my size recommendation:
- 1 to 2 people, get the Instant Pot Mini 3 Quart
- 2 to 4 people, get the Instant Pot 6 Quart
- More than 4 people, get the Instant Pot 8 Quart
I’m currently using the Instant Pot Mini 3 Quart for all of my Instant Pot recipes.
Instant Pot Filipino Chicken Adobo Recipe
Ingredients
Servings: 2
- 1 1/4 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken drumsticks
- 1 tbsp refined coconut oil (Nutiva is my go-to brand!)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)
- 1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 4 cloves garlic (minced or sliced)
- 1 large yellow onion (sliced)
- 6 bay leaves
- 1 tsp black peppercorn
- 1 to 2 tbsp arrowroot powder (optional)
- garnish with scallions
- serve with rice
Kitchen Tools
How to Make Instant Pot Filipino Chicken Adobo (Step-by-Step)
Step 1. Create Your Marinade
First, in a large mixing bowl, combine the following ingredients and mix thoroughly:
- 1/4 cup, Low-Sodium Tamari
- 1/4 cup, Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon, Peppercorns
Add your bone-in skin-on chicken drumsticks to the marinade. Next, you’ll want to cover the mixing bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or overnight if you’re prepping ahead of time.
If the drumsticks aren’t fully submerged, feel free to check on them halfway and flip them to the other side to get an even coat.
Step 2. Sear the Skin of the Chicken
After your chicken has finished marinating, turn the Instant Pot on to the “Sauté” function. After a few minutes, the Instant Pot should read “Hot”.
Place the chicken skin side first and let it cook for about 2 minutes on each side and then remove it from the pot.
Step 3. Sauté the Onions and Garlic
By now, there are probably bits and pieces of chicken at the bottom of the pan. Here, add about 1/4 cup of water to deglaze the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
Next, add the onions. Sauté the onions for about 5 minutes, or until they get soft, clear, and turn brown, then add garlic.
The reason why you want to add the garlic towards the end is to prevent them from burning.
Step 4. Add the Remaining Ingredients
Add the chicken back into the pot, along with the marinade sauce, remaining 3/4 cups water, and bay leaves. Feel free to add additional peppercorns, if desired. Personally for me, the more the better!
Set the Instant Pot to “Meat/Stew” on high pressure for 25 minutes. After the Instant Pot beeps to let you know the cooking time has finished, release the pressure by turning the steam knob.
Step 5. Sauté on High for an additional 5 to 10 Minutes (Optional)
Grab two ladle spoonfuls of the cooked marinade and combine it with 1 to 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder. After you’ve mixed the arrowroot powder, stir it back into the Instant Pot. Doing this will help thicken your chicken adobo for a nice, smooth texture!
And you’re done!
This chicken adobo recipe is so simple and easy, with a couple of clean ingredient swaps. I hope you enjoy this version of Instant Pot Filipino chicken adobo.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and star rating below! I’d love to hear from you.
Instant Pot Filipino Chicken Adobo
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken drumsticks
- 1 tbsp refined coconut oil
- 1/4 cup low-sodium tamari
- 1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 4 cloves garlic (minced or sliced)
- 1 large yellow onion (sliced)
- 6 bay leaf
- 1 tsp black peppercorn
- 1 to 2 tbsp arrowroot powder (optional for thickening)
- garnish with scallions
- serve with rice
Instructions
- First, in a large mixing bowl, combine tamari, apple cider vinegar, and peppercorns. Add your bone-in skin-on chicken drumsticks to the marinade. Cover the mixing bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Turn the Instant Pot onto the “Sauté” function. Next, place the chicken skin side first and let it cook for about 2 minutes on each side, and then remove it from the pot.
- Add about 1/4 cup of water to deglaze the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Next, add the onions. Sauté the onions for about 5 minutes, or until they get soft, then add garlic.
- Add the chicken back into the pot, along with the marinade sauce, remaining 3/4 cups water, and bay leaves. Set the Instant Pot to “Meat/Stew” on high pressure for 25 minutes.
- (Optional) Grab two ladle spoonfuls of the cooked marinade and combine it with 1 to 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder. After you’ve mixed the arrowroot powder, stir it back into the Instant Pot.
