A foundational marinade for the beloved Filipino Chicken Adobo, combining the perfect balance of savory soy sauce, tangy vinegar, aromatic garlic, and fragrant spices for a truly authentic taste.

Filipino Adobo Marinade
A foundational marinade for the beloved Filipino Chicken Adobo, combining the perfect balance of savory soy sauce, tangy vinegar, aromatic garlic, and fragrant spices for a truly authentic taste.
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken cut into serving pieces
- 0.5 cup soy sauce preferably Filipino brand
- 0.5 cup cane vinegar or white vinegar
- 6 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 tsp black peppercorns whole
- 2 leaves bay leaves dried
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce, vinegar, smashed garlic, whole peppercorns, and bay leaves.
- Mix well to ensure all chicken pieces are coated evenly with the marinade.
- Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, refrigerate for 2-4 hours, or even overnight.
- Once marinated, the chicken is ready to be cooked according to your favorite Adobo recipe.
Notes
For best results, marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 2-4 hours in the refrigerator. You can also marinate overnight. This marinade is suitable for various cuts of chicken, including thighs, drumsticks, or breast pieces. For an extra depth of flavor, you can lightly brown the chicken pieces after marinating and before simmering in the adobo sauce.