This Filipino Chicken Asado comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! This recipe is super versatile, so you can switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends!
The Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 pounds chicken thighs (bone-in, skin removed)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup lemon or calamansi juice
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large potato (cubed)
- 1/2 large red bell pepper (cubed)
- 1/2 large green bell pepper (cubed)
Here’s How It’s Done
Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken thighs, soy sauce, and lemon or calamansi juice. Make sure the chicken is well coated. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or even better, overnight in the fridge! Trust me, the longer, the better for flavor!
Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. The smell should be so inviting by now! Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Careful not to burn it, nobody likes burnt garlic!
Add the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade (don’t throw that marinade away!) and add it to the pot. Sear the chicken on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. You’re going to want to scrape the yummy bits off the bottom of the pot, so don’t skip this step!
Combine Ingredients: Pour in the cup of tomato sauce, reserved marinade, bay leaves, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. It’s starting to look gorgeous already!
Throw in the Veggies: Add the cubed potato and both bell peppers to the pot. Mix everything together and bring it to a gentle simmer. Oh wow, the colors are stunning!
Simmer Away: Cover the pot and let the Chicken Asado simmer on low heat for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the potatoes are cooked through. Stir occasionally, just to keep an eye on things!
Final Touches: Once it’s all done and the chicken is tender (like you can pull the meat apart with a fork!), taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the Filipino Chicken Asado hot over a lovely bed of steamed rice, and enjoy that delightful flavor explosion with your loved ones!
Why I Love This Recipe
This Filipino Chicken Asado is my go-to recipe when I need something comforting and delicious that comes together quickly. It’s definitely a family favorite! I remember the first time I made it; my kids were hooked in one bite, they couldn’t get enough! The best part is that you can easily customize it with whatever you have on hand. I’m a real sucker for meals that save time on busy weeknights!
If you loved this dish, be sure to check out my Festive Fall Farro Salad, my Boursin Collard Green Rice, or my Homemade KFC Style Crispy Chicken! These dishes are all packed with flavor and perfect for weeknight dinners!
Why This Recipe Works
Comfort Food
This Filipino Chicken Asado is loaded with tons of flavor. Seriously, the way those aromatics come together in the pot is like a warm hug. You’ll sit down for dinner and feel like you’re back at grandma’s house!
Quick & Easy
It comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for those hectic evenings when everyone’s starving, right? Most of the cooking time involves simmering, which means you can kick back and relax!
One Pot
Everything happens all in one pot. Yep, minimal cleanup required! Just think: cook, serve, eat, and done! It’s a dream scenario for busy families. One pot meals are truly the way to go!
Budget-Friendly
Uses affordable, everyday ingredients. Nothing fancy here! This means you can easily whip it up without breaking the bank. The best part is that it also helps reduce food waste since you can toss in any leftover veggies that you have hanging around.
Customizable
You can easily switch up the ingredients based on what’s in your pantry, super adaptable! Be creative, mix it up, and let your taste buds guide you!
Storage and Serving Suggestions
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken Asado is fantastic over a big bowl of steamed rice. You could also serve it with crusty bread for soaking up that amazing sauce! And let’s not forget about some fresh cilantro or green onions on top for a pop of color and flavor!
Storage Tips
Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure to let it cool first so the steam doesn’t create excess moisture in the container!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! This dish is freezer-friendly. After it’s cooled completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It’ll stay good for up to 3 months. Just let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
And there you have it! This incredible Filipino Chicken Asado is one for the books comforting, flavorful, and oh-so-easy. You’ll want to make this recipe over and over again a true weeknight staple that everyone will remember. Enjoy! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Filipino Chicken Asado
Ingredients
Method
- In a bowl, combine the chicken thighs, soy sauce, and lemon or calamansi juice. Ensure the chicken is well coated and marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight.
- In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and add it to the pot. Sear the chicken on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, reserved marinade, bay leaves, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Add the cubed potato and both bell peppers to the pot. Mix everything well and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover the pot and let the Chicken Asado simmer on low heat for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
- Once done, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve hot over steamed rice.