Cookwith

Name: Filipino-American Fried Chicken Adobo
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken drumsticks and thighs, bone-in, skin-on; 1/2 cup soy sauce; 1/4 cup cane vinegar (or apple cider vinegar); 6 cloves garlic, smashed; 2 bay leaves; 1 tbsp black peppercorns, cracked; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1/2 tsp ground black pepper; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp paprika; Vegetable oil, for frying; 2 scallions, thinly sliced (for garnish)

Filipino-American Fried Chicken Adobo

miradugm

This Filipino-American fried chicken adobo brings together the tangy, garlicky flavors of classic adobo with the irresistible crunch of Southern-style fried chicken. Marinated in a bold adobo sauce, the chicken is then dredged in a seasoned flour-cornstarch mix and fried to golden perfection. The result is a dish that’s juicy and deeply flavorful on the inside, with a shatteringly crisp crust on the outside. It’s a fun, crave-worthy twist on two comfort food favorites—perfect for sharing, serving with rice, or enjoying straight from the fryer with a squeeze of calamansi or lemon.

Ingredients

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, smashed garlic, bay leaves, cracked peppercorns, brown sugar, and ground black pepper. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight for deeper flavor).
Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Reserve marinade for later.
In a shallow bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, and paprika.
Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, pressing to adhere. Shake off excess.
Heat 1-2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
Fry chicken in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C), about 12-15 minutes. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
Meanwhile, pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
Serve fried chicken hot, drizzled with reduced adobo sauce and garnished with sliced scallions.