This Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo is creamy, tangy, and bursting with flavours! Perfect for any occasion, serve this dish with rice and vegetables to create the perfect family meal.

And also if you like it spicy you can add chili flakes or jalapeños for some extra kick.

Being born in the Philippines, I grew up with Chicken Adobo, and can prepare it without even using a recipe! There are as many Adobo recipes and variations as you can count, but for this Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo we are adding the Coconut Milk to create an extra layer of flavour and a perfect touch of creaminess to our sauce.

What is Chicken Adobo?

Chicken Adobo is a national staple in the Philippines which has been around for hundreds of years. The name "Adobo" was only bestowed by the Spanish Colonizers, but the dish was there long before. In simple terms it is a chicken or pork dish stewed in a sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves and peppercorns. But of course, the addition of Coconut Milk adds an extra special taste to the sauce.

Why you will love this recipe

creamy and tangy sauce.
packed with Protein.
simple and easy to prepare.
perfect to serve at large gatherings.

Ingredients Needed for Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo

chicken: we are using chicken drumsticks. You can also use boneless chicken thighs, chicken thighs or chicken legs.
soy sauce: low sodium soy sauce is highly recommended for this recipe.
vinegar: white vinegar is used for our adobo recipe. Traditionally Filipinos use coconut vinegar but it is really hard to find here in Vancouver. You can also adjust them if you don't like a tangy taste.
sugar: brown sugar or white sugar works fine. This balances the taste of adobo sauce.
coconut milk: I used 1 can of coconut milk.
aromatics: garlic, bayleaves, and black peppercorns.

How to make Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo?

First pat dry chicken using paper towel. Pan fry chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Set it aside. On the same pan, add oil, garlic, black pepper, bay leaves. Stir for a minute.

brown chicken to make coconut milkchicken adobo

In a separate mixing bowl, mix soy sauce, vinegar and sugar. Pour the mixture in the pan and stir. Add seared chicken and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Add coconut milk and simmer for another 10 minutes until sauce has thickened.

add milk to make coconut milk chicken adobo

Serve and Enjoy!

garnish coconut milk chicken adobo with spring onion

Looking for more Chicken recipes?

Did you make Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo today? I’d love to hear in the comment section below. Or follow and tag me on Facebook and Instagram.

Recipe

Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo

Kristel Baclaan

This Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo is creamy, tangy, and bursting with flavours! Perfect for any occasion, serve this dish with rice and vegetables to create the perfect family meal. And also if you like it spicy you can add chili flakes or jalapeños for some extra kick.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine filipino

Servings 5 servings

Ingredients

12 pieces chicken drumsticks
⅓ cup soy sauce
¼ cup vinegar
1 can coconut milk
2 tablespoon brown sugar
3 pieces bayleaves
½ teaspoon peppercorns crushed
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Using paper towel pat dry chicken drumsticks. Sear chicken with oil for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside.
On the same pan, add garlic, black peppercorns, and bay leaves. Stir for 1-2 minutes.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar and brown sugar. Stir in adobo sauce into the pan with the aromatics. Add chicken back into the pan and simmer for 8-10- minutes.
Add coconut milk and simmer for another 10 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked and sauce has thickened.
Garnish with spring onions and serve with rice.