A savory-tangy Filipino adobo bowl that pairs juicy chicken thighs with Washington’s peak-summer eggplant for a practical one-pan braise.
Total time: 55 minutes
Estimated cost: $11–$15 total for 2 servings, using the listed sale-priced chicken thighs and eggplant
Health notes: About 660 calories per serving, with roughly 40 grams of protein, satisfying rice, and a generous portion of eggplant.
Drink pairing: An off-dry Riesling softens the vinegar’s tang while complementing the soy, garlic, and peppercorns.
Details
Ingredients
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Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs12 ounces $5.99
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Organic Eggplant1 medium (about 1 pound) $3.10
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Organic Long Grain White Rice1/2 cup dry $4.19
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Sweet Onion1/2 medium $1.66
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Green Onion2 $1.39
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Organic Garlic4 cloves $2.69
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Low-sodium soy sauce1/4 cup
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Cane vinegar or unseasoned rice vinegar1/3 cup
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Water1 1/4 cups
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Brown sugar1 tablespoon
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Neutral cooking oil2 tablespoons
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Bay leaves2
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Whole black peppercorns1 teaspoon
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Kosher salt3/4 teaspoon
Instructions
- Pat 12 ounces boneless skinless chicken thighs dry, season with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and let stand for 10 minutes while beginning the other prep.
- Rinse 1/2 cup dry organic long-grain white rice. Combine the 1/2 cup rice with 3/4 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, cover, and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat and rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Whisk together 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/3 cup cane vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar; set the adobo mixture aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil in a wide, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cut 1 medium organic eggplant into 1-inch pieces, season with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and cook for 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned; transfer to a plate.
- Add 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil to the skillet and brown the 12 ounces seasoned chicken thighs for 3 minutes per side. Thinly slice 1/2 medium sweet onion, mince 4 garlic cloves, add both to the skillet, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour in the prepared adobo mixture and add 2 bay leaves and 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes; return the browned pieces from 1 medium eggplant and simmer uncovered for 6–8 minutes, until the sauce lightly coats the ingredients and the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Remove and discard 2 bay leaves, then rest the braise for 3 minutes. Divide the rice cooked from 1/2 cup dry rice and the adobo between two shallow bowls, then top with 2 thinly sliced green onions and serve.