Description
Chicken Afritada is a classic Filipino stew featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce with vibrant bell peppers, potatoes, carrots, and peas. This hearty and flavorful dish is perfect for sharing with family and friends, served warm alongside steamed rice or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup frozen or fresh green peas
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Liquid Ingredients and Seasonings
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup low-sodium or no-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Brown Chicken: Season the chicken thighs or drumsticks with salt and black pepper. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on all sides until golden brown, then remove from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Deglaze the pot with a small amount of chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the peeled and cubed potatoes along with the sliced carrots. Add the sliced red and green bell peppers and sauté until they are slightly softened.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and the remaining chicken broth. Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot. Add the low-sodium soy sauce, bay leaf, and sugar if using. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
- Add Peas: Stir in the green peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking to heat them through without overcooking.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaf from the pot. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve the Chicken Afritada hot with steamed rice or crusty bread, making sure to spoon plenty of the flavorful sauce over the serving.
Notes
- For more flavor, marinate the chicken briefly with soy sauce and garlic before browning.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with drumsticks or a mix of both, depending on preference.
- Adjust the seasoning by adding more soy sauce or salt to taste after simmering.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for the last 5 minutes to reduce the liquid.
- This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together overnight.
