| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 45 mins – 60 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 450 | 27g | 6g | 30g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 5g | 40g | 1g |
Why I Love Filipino Chicken Afritada
It’s always been a delight for me to bring together cultures, reinventing them and making them accessible with familiar ingredients and my own personal touch. Today, I’d like to introduce you all to one of my favourites – the humble and heartwarming Filipino dish, Chicken Afritada.
A Recipe That Tells a Story
The Chicken Afritada, with its vibrant vegetables and comforting broth, is a culinary melting pot that reminds me of the diverse and colorful communities in my sunny California hometown. A dish like Afritada tells a story – it’s about feeding all those you consider family, and revealing the love and care that goes into every spoonful. You really don’t have to fly all the way to Manila to experience this. You can bring Manila in your own kitchen with this delightful recipe.
If you’ve ever had the Spanish dish Pollo Guisado, you’ll find that it has a passing resemblance to Chicken Afritada. Similar in structure, but subtly different in taste, the two dishes may seem like distant cousins, making Afritada a great alternative if you’re seeking to try something new yet familiar.
Broadening the Palate
I learned how to create this dish from the chef at Pinoy Cooking Recipes. Having three children each with unique taste-buds, the challenge was to find something that wouldn’t be too exotic for their developing palates, and yet could broaden their culinary experience. Afritada, with its simple ingredients prepared in a way that is down-to-earth and unpretentious, was the perfect fit.
Chicken Afritada is an extremely flexible dish. Whether you’re in mood for a comforting lunch or a hearty dinner, this recipe can adapt. I like to pair this with a leafy green salad or garlic fried rice. And of course, a glass of Californian Chardonnay to fully complete the meal.
In the end, the best part about cooking is the ability to transform simple, fresh ingredients into a delicious experience that feeds more than the body – it feeds the soul. And for me, Chicken Afritada is one such beautiful experience that I am excited to share with everyone.
What You’ll Need
- 3 lbs chicken, cut into pieces
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large potatoes, cut into quarters
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
Method
Step One
Begin by heating the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook them until all sides are browned. This should take about 7-10 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
Step Two
In the same pot, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook these until the onions become translucent, this should take about 5 minutes.
Step Three
Next, add the potatoes and carrots to the pot. Stir to combine with the onions and garlic, and cook for another 5 minutes. After that, add the red and green bell peppers, and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
Step Four
At this point, add the chicken pieces back to the pot. Mix in the tomato sauce, soy sauce, ground black pepper and salt. Stir to fully coat the chicken with the sauces and spices.
Step Five
Add the chicken broth and bay leaf. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and let it cook for about 25-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
Step Six
The final step is to add the frozen peas into the pot. Stir these in and cook for another 5 minutes. Once the peas are warmed through, your Chicken Afritada is ready to be served. Enjoy!
