Description
Chicken Afritada is a classic Filipino one-pot stew featuring tender chicken simmered in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with vibrant bell peppers, potatoes, carrots, and green peas. This hearty dish combines a balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors, perfect for a comforting family meal served with rice or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup frozen or fresh green peas
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Sauce & Seasonings
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup low-sodium or no-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Brown Chicken: Season the chicken thighs or drumsticks generously with salt and black pepper. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides until they develop a golden crust. Remove from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in some chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Stir in the cubed potatoes and sliced carrots, followed by the red and green bell peppers. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and the remaining chicken broth. Return the browned chicken pieces back into the pot. Add the soy sauce, bay leaf, and sugar if using. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 25 to 30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
- Add Peas: During the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the green peas to heat through without overcooking them.
- Serve: Remove and discard the bay leaf. Garnish the afritada with chopped green onions. Serve hot accompanied by steamed rice or crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs or drumsticks with chicken breast, but adjust cooking time accordingly to prevent drying out.
- Using low-sodium broth and soy sauce helps control the salt content of the dish.
- The optional sugar balances acidity from the tomato sauce; adjust sweetness to taste.
- Afritada is versatile—feel free to add other vegetables like green beans or chickpeas.
- For a richer flavor, brown the vegetables slightly before adding liquids.
