Description
This Instant Pot Chicken Adobo is a flavorful Filipino classic made easy with tender chicken thighs cooked in a tangy, savory sauce of soy, vinegar, garlic, and spices. Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pot recipe delivers rich, authentic adobo flavor with a perfectly thickened sauce, ideal for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound bone-in chicken thighs (or boneless)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Aromatics & Sauce
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- â…“ cup white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ½ cup water
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
Garnish
- 1 green onion, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken thighs evenly with kosher salt and black pepper to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Brown Chicken: Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE mode and heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chicken and brown on all sides for several minutes until golden. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Sauté the sliced onion and minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until softened, releasing their fragrant aroma.
- Deglaze and Add Flavors: Pour in soy sauce, brown sugar, white vinegar, cayenne pepper, and water. Stir thoroughly, scraping the pot’s bottom to deglaze and lift any browned bits. Turn off SAUTE mode.
- Add Chicken and Spices: Return the browned chicken to the pot in a single layer. Add bay leaves and whole black peppercorns to infuse more depth into the cooking liquid.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and set the valve to SEALING. Select PRESSURE COOK on HIGH and set the timer for 9 minutes to tenderize the chicken and blend flavors.
- Natural Release: Once cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure by moving the valve to VENTING.
- Simmer and Thicken Sauce: Open the lid and press CANCEL. Remove bay leaves. Select SAUTE mode and simmer the chicken and sauce for 5-8 minutes until it thickens to your liking. Press CANCEL again.
- Serve: Plate the chicken adobo hot, garnish with sliced green onions, and serve alongside steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Bone-in chicken thighs add more flavor and stay juicy, but boneless thighs work well for quicker cooking.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness if desired.
- Allowing the sauce to simmer uncovered helps it thicken nicely for a rich coating.
- Garnish with green onions adds freshness and color to the final dish.
