Filipino Chicken Adobo is more than just a dish; it’s a culinary cornerstone in countless Filipino homes, a testament to rich flavors and cherished family traditions. For James Bennett, affectionately known as “Dad,” whose wife hails from the Philippines, this iconic meal holds a special place at the family table. It’s a dish that embodies comfort, heritage, and incredible taste, making it a perennial family favorite.

Driven by a passion for authentic flavors and a desire for efficiency, Dad developed his unique take on this beloved classic: Instant Pot Crispy Chicken Adobo. This recipe marries the traditional, rich taste of Filipino Adobo with the modern convenience of a pressure cooker, resulting in a dish that’s not only faster and easier to prepare but also features an irresistible crispy skin – a delightful departure from the traditional braised texture. Get ready to transform your weeknight dinners with this streamlined, flavor-packed approach to one of the Philippines’ most celebrated dishes.

PIN IT TO PINTEREST
Save this easy recipe to Pinterest.

This Page Contains Affiliate Links. For more Information See My Disclosures here.

Why Choose the Instant Pot for Filipino Chicken Adobo?

Adobo, in its traditional form, demands patience. The chicken is typically simmered for an extended period, allowing it to become incredibly tender and absorb the distinctive savory, sour, and garlicky flavors of the sauce. While the result is undeniably delicious, the lengthy cooking time can be a deterrent for busy home cooks.

This is precisely where the Instant Pot revolutionizes the Adobo experience. After learning to cook a truly authentic version from his mother-in-law, Dad found himself seeking a way to achieve the same depth of flavor and fork-tender chicken in a fraction of the time. The Instant Pot, an electric pressure cooker, proved to be the perfect solution. It excels at breaking down tougher cuts of meat and infusing them with flavor under high pressure, significantly cutting down the cooking duration without compromising on taste or texture. What might typically take an hour or more on the stovetop can be achieved in about half the time, making this cherished Filipino dish accessible even on the busiest weeknights. The Instant Pot ensures that every piece of chicken is consistently tender, succulent, and thoroughly permeated with the iconic Adobo sauce, delivering authentic results with unparalleled efficiency.

What Defines “Crispy Style” Chicken Adobo?

The traditional Filipino Chicken Adobo is often characterized by its soft, braised chicken skin, which is succulent and falls apart easily. While this texture is beloved by many, Dad developed a unique preference for a crispier skin, adding another layer of texture and appeal to the dish. This variation, affectionately dubbed “crispy style,” involves a clever technique known as a “reverse fry.”

Once the chicken has been perfectly cooked and tenderized in the Instant Pot, it is carefully removed from the rich Adobo sauce and thoroughly patted dry. This crucial step removes excess moisture, preparing the skin for its transformation. The chicken pieces are then fried in a pan with a shallow layer of vegetable oil until the skin achieves a beautiful, golden-brown crispness. This “reverse fry” method ensures that the chicken remains incredibly tender on the inside, having been cooked through in the Instant Pot, while gaining a delightfully crunchy exterior. This contrast in textures—the tender meat, the crisp skin, and the rich, reduced sauce—elevates the Adobo experience, offering a unique and satisfying twist. If, however, you prefer the classic, soft-skinned braised Adobo, you can simply skip the reverse frying step and enjoy the chicken straight from the Instant Pot with its luscious sauce.

Crafting Dad’s Crispy Style Chicken Adobo: A Simplified Guide

Preparing Dad’s Crispy Style Chicken Adobo is remarkably straightforward, designed for ease and maximum flavor. The process begins with seasoning your chicken pieces generously. A simple yet effective blend of garlic powder, onion powder, and salt is sprinkled over the chicken, enhancing its natural taste and preparing it for the flavorful bath to come. This initial seasoning is key to building a robust flavor profile right from the start.

Next, all the core ingredients for the Adobo—excluding only the frying oil—are added directly into the Instant Pot. There’s no need for special racks, trivets, or complex layering; simply place everything into the pot. Once the ingredients are in, secure the Instant Pot lid and ensure the steam release valve is set to the ‘sealing’ position. Select the manual or pressure cook setting on your Instant Pot, and set the timer for just 8 minutes. This short burst of high-pressure cooking is all it takes to tenderize the chicken and meld the distinct flavors of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices into a harmonious and aromatic sauce, setting the stage for a truly unforgettable meal.

The Crucial Steps: Release, Dry, and Fry for Perfect Crispy Adobo

Once your Instant Pot signals that the cooking cycle is complete, resist the urge to immediately open it. Allow the pot to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes, initiating what is known as a “natural release” of pressure. This controlled decompression is vital for two reasons: it helps the chicken retain its juices, ensuring maximum tenderness, and it prevents the meat from drying out or becoming tough. After 10 minutes, you can safely release any remaining pressure using the quick release method.

The next critical step, especially for “crispy style” Adobo, is to carefully remove the cooked chicken pieces from the pot and thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels. This is an essential step that cannot be skipped; any residual moisture on the chicken skin will cause excessive popping and splattering during frying, and more importantly, it will prevent the skin from achieving that desired golden-brown crispness. A dry surface is paramount for a beautifully crispy result.

While the chicken is being prepped for its crisping transformation, return your attention to the Instant Pot. Set it to the ‘sauté’ normal setting. This allows the flavorful Adobo sauce, rich with garlic, vinegar, and soy sauce, to gently simmer and reduce. As it simmers, the sauce will thicken and intensify in flavor, becoming the perfect accompaniment to your crispy chicken. Simultaneously, prepare for the “reverse fry” by placing a deep-sided pan over medium-high heat. Add approximately 1 inch of vegetable oil to the pan and allow it to heat up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (about 175 degrees Celsius). Once the oil reaches temperature, carefully place the dried chicken pieces into the hot oil and fry until each side is gorgeously golden brown and irresistibly crispy. This quick fry seals in the moisture while adding a fantastic textural contrast.

Finally, bring it all together. Arrange your wonderfully crispy chicken on a serving platter and generously pour the reduced, concentrated Adobo sauce over it. Serve immediately with a side of aromatic garlic fried rice for an authentic and incredibly satisfying Filipino meal. The combination of the crispy chicken, the tangy-savory sauce, and the fragrant rice creates a symphony of flavors and textures that will undoubtedly become a new family favorite.

New to Pressure Cooking? Explore Instant Pot Basics!

For those who are new to the world of electric pressure cooking, the Instant Pot might seem a little intimidating at first. With its array of settings and functions, it’s natural to feel a bit unsure about where to begin. But fear not! Dad Got This has you covered. We’ve compiled a comprehensive resource dedicated entirely to demystifying the Instant Pot, providing all the information and tips you need to become a confident pressure cooker enthusiast.

Whether you’re curious about basic operation, safety features, or how to get the most out of your appliance, our Instant Pot Basics guide offers clear, concise explanations and helpful insights. Learning these fundamentals will not only enhance your cooking experience but also open up a world of quick, convenient, and incredibly flavorful meals, including this delicious Chicken Adobo. Don’t let uncertainty hold you back from discovering the magic of pressure cooking!

Click Here to Learn About the Instant Pot.

Understanding Traditional Filipino Chicken Adobo: A National Treasure

For many unfamiliar with Filipino cuisine, the term “Adobo” might conjure images of a yellow seasoning blend commonly found in grocery stores. However, in the Philippines, Adobo refers to a cooking process and a diverse category of dishes, most famously a succulent stew, typically made with chicken or pork, braised in a unique blend of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and peppercorns. It’s an essential part of Filipino culinary identity, often considered the unofficial national dish of the Philippines, cherished for its distinctive tangy, savory, and garlicky profile.

What makes Adobo truly fascinating is its incredible regional and familial diversity. There isn’t one single “correct” recipe; rather, each household, town, and region boasts its own cherished version, passed down through generations. Some variations might include coconut milk for a creamier texture, others a hint of sugar for sweetness, or even different types of vinegar for distinct sour notes. Despite these variations, the fundamental triumvirate of garlic, vinegar, and soy sauce remains the constant, providing the signature flavor that defines Adobo. The slow braising process allows these powerful flavors to meld beautifully, tenderizing the meat and creating a rich, aromatic sauce that is utterly irresistible. It’s a dish that tells a story of Filipino heritage and culinary adaptability.

Discover More Culinary Adventures on Dad’s YouTube Channel!

The Quintessential Pairing: What to Serve with Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

While Instant Pot Crispy Chicken Adobo is undeniably a star on its own, every great protagonist needs a formidable sidekick to complete the story. If Chicken Adobo were Batman, then Filipino Garlic Fried Rice would undoubtedly be its Robin. This dynamic duo is a match made in culinary heaven, enhancing each other’s flavors and creating a truly authentic and unforgettable Filipino dining experience.

Garlic Fried Rice, or Sinangag, is far from a mere accompaniment. It’s a fragrant, flavorful dish crafted from day-old rice, generously sautéed with an abundance of minced garlic and a touch of salt. Its aromatic appeal and slightly crispy texture perfectly complement the rich, tangy, and savory notes of the Adobo sauce, soaking up every last drop of flavor. The garlicky essence of the rice echoes the Adobo’s base, creating a harmonious and deeply satisfying meal. While plain steamed rice is always an option, pairing your Adobo with Filipino Garlic Fried Rice elevates the dish, transforming it into a complete and truly immersive Filipino feast that will leave everyone at the table asking for more. So, while you’re preparing this incredible Adobo, don’t forget to whip up a batch of Dad’s easy Garlic Fried Rice!