Chicken and Zucchini Adobo
A weeknight Filipino-style adobo braise pairs deeply savory, tangy chicken thighs with peak-summer Washington zucchini and fluffy rice.
This recipe may need another look before cooking.
It scored 7/10, below our 8/10 retry mark.
Ingredients
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Foster Farms Fresh & Natural Chicken Thighs Value Pack1.5 pounds $1.49
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Zucchini12 ounces $1.79
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Simple Truth Organic® Jasmine Rice2/3 cup dry $2.49
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Water1 5/6 cups, divided
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Neutral cooking oil1 tablespoon
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Garlic4 cloves $0.79
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Low-sodium soy sauce1/4 cup
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Apple cider vinegar or cane vinegar1/4 cup
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Light brown sugar2 teaspoons
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Bay leaves2
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Ground black pepper1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
- Pat 1.5 pounds chicken thighs dry. Cut 12 ounces zucchini into 1/2-inch half-moons, and mince 4 garlic cloves.
- Rinse 2/3 cup jasmine rice, then combine it with 1 1/3 cups water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes; remove from the heat and keep covered for 5 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds chicken thighs skin-side down and brown for 5 minutes; turn and cook for 3 minutes.
- Transfer the browned 1.5 pounds chicken thighs to a plate. Reduce the heat to medium and cook 4 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds. Stir in 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 2 teaspoons light brown sugar, 2 bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; bring to a simmer.
- Return the browned 1.5 pounds chicken thighs and their juices to the skillet. Cover and gently simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
- Add 12 ounces zucchini around the 1.5 pounds chicken thighs. Simmer uncovered for 7 to 10 minutes, until the zucchini is tender, the sauce lightly coats a spoon, and the thickest part of the chicken reaches at least 165°F.
- Discard the 2 bay leaves. Divide the cooked rice made from 2/3 cup dry jasmine rice between two shallow bowls, then plate the braised 1.5 pounds chicken thighs and 12 ounces zucchini over it and spoon the adobo sauce on top.
Total time: 55 minutes
Estimated cost: $7–$9
Health notes: About 680 calories and 40 grams of protein per serving; low-sodium soy sauce helps keep the sodium moderate.
Drink pairing: An off-dry Riesling balances the adobo’s salty vinegar tang and savory garlic.