Filipino Adobo Chicken Wings

🌟 What is Filipino adobo?

Filipino adobo is a beloved dish in the Philippines. It usually includes a meat (commonly chicken or pork) simmered in a marinade of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. The adobo sauce has a savory-sweet flavor profile with hints of tanginess and richness.

Filipino adobo is not to be confused with Mexican adobo; the two are different, although one is influenced by the other. Filipino adobo originated from the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. It reflects a blend of indigenous Filipino cooking techniques with Spanish influences.

The word "adobo" comes from the Spanish word "adobar," meaning marinade or seasoning. Adobo's popularity stems from its simplicity, versatility, and ability to preserve meat in the tropical climate of the Philippines. It's a staple in Filipino cuisine, the national dish, and a symbol of cultural heritage.

Nowadays, you'll find dozens, if not hundreds, of different versions of traditional adobo. It's made differently in different parts of the Philippines. And even between families, each family has their own personal spin.

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

My adobo recipes that you'll find on this site are inspired by my family recipes that I learned from my Lola Epyon, my great-grandmother who lived with us until she passed away at the ripe young age of 103.

She taught my mom how to cook, and I was lucky enough to learn from both of them as I grew up. If you're Filipino or familiar with Filipino flavors, you're going to LOVE this pinoy chicken wings recipe!

• Big flavors - With a soy sauce and vinegar-based marinade, you'll get juicy savory undeniable Filipino adobo flavor in every bite.
• Easy recipe - These adobo wings are truly easy to make. I've included helpful step-by-step photos below to guide you.
• Versatile - Serve these as a party appetizer for the holidays, Game Day, and any gathering with friends and family. Or serve these as the main course for your family dinner. See the Serving Ideas below for serving suggestions.
• Budget-friendly - Chicken wings are inexpensive compared to other cuts of chicken. And save for cane vinegar, which you can easily substitute white vinegar for, the other ingredients are simple ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store.

🛒 Ingredient notes

This adobo chicken wings recipe calls for simple ingredients that are easy to find in any local grocery store.

• Chicken - I use party wings for this recipe.
• Soy sauce - The quintessential ingredient in Filipino adobo! You can substitute coconut aminos to make this a gluten-free sauce.
• Hoisin sauce - Added for richness and depth of flavor.
• Lemon juice - A little acidity in the form of fresh lemon juice helps brighten up the sauce and add balance.
• Brown sugar - A little light brown sugar adds subtle sweetness and balances out the sharpness of other ingredients.
• Onions - Use thinly sliced yellow onions.
• Garlic - Lots of minced fresh garlic cloves are essential to adobo. You can use one less garlic clove if you prefer.
• Vinegar - For more authentic Filipino adobo wings, use a cane vinegar, like Datu Puti vinegar. You can use white wine vinegar or even white distilled vinegar instead of cane vinegar.
• Peppercorns - Many authentic adobo recipes include the use of whole peppercorns. For these wings, however, I think it's an optional ingredient. It adds a lot of flavor, texture, and a peppery kick to the wings. But if you or your guests don't like whole peppercorns, you can leave this out.
• Bay leaves - Bay leaf adds depth to the sauce as it marinades, and is an important ingredient in Filipino adobo. Be sure to remember to take out the bay leaves from the sauce after boiling the reserve marinade, and before serving.
• Cilantro - Chopped fresh cilantro adds an herbaceous brightness to the wings. You can substitute fresh parsley if you prefer.
• Salt and pepper - Use kosher salt and ground black pepper for the simple seasoning.

🛒 Looking for Filipino ingredients? Find them in my online shop!

✅ Step-by-step instructions

You'll find the full ingredients list with measurements, and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. But here are step-by-step photos to help you make this chicken wing adobo.

1. and 2. In a large bowl or dish, combine the marinade ingredients: the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, cane vinegar (or white vinegar), salt, and pepper.

3. Add the chicken to the marinade.
4. Then add the bay leaves.
5. If using, sprinkle in the whole peppercorn. Cover, and refrigerate the marinated chicken for at least 4 hours, up to overnight. Use tongs to flip the chicken in the marinade at least once during the marinating time.

6. Once the chicken has marinated long enough, preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
7. Transfer the chicken from the marinade bowl or dish and place on top of the prepared baking pan in a single layer. Leave about an inch or two of space between the chicken pieces, so they can bake up evenly. Save the reserve marinade. Bake at 400°F for 35 to 40 minutes.

8. While the adobo wings bake, cook the reserve marinade in a small saucepan or medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, and allow to boil for 5 minutes.
9. Turn off the heat, and use a slotted spoon to remove the bay leaves. You can remove some of the onions and garlic too, if you like.

10. Using a basting brush or pastry brush, baste the tops of the chicken wings halfway through the cooking time. Then return to the oven.
11. If you want to achieve a darker golden brown chicken skin, broil the chicken for the last 5 minutes of cooking.

💡TIP: Chicken is considered cooked fully when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat, without touching bone, reads an internal temperature of 165°F.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

🍷 🥂 Wine pairings

The tangy, sweet, savory flavors of Filipino adobo pair well with white, wine, rosé wine, and a light-bodied red wine. So you can take your pick!

• Riesling - The slight sweetness and high acidity of a Riesling can complement the tangy and savory elements of Filipino adobo chicken wings. Look for a slightly off-dry Riesling with vibrant fruit flavors and crisp acidity to balance the richness of the dish.
• Rosé wine - The refreshing acidity of rosé wine balances the richness of adobo sauce. At the same time, the bright acidity provides a delightful contrast to the savory and tangy notes of the dish. Additionally, the chilled temperature of rosé can provide a refreshing palate cleanser between bites of the flavorful adobo chicken wings.
• Pinot Noir - A light to medium-bodied Pinot Noir with red fruit flavors, subtle earthiness, and soft tannins can complement the savory umami components of adobo. The lighter bodied red wine complements the chicken without overpowering it.

🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment

Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:

• Cutting board and sharp knife - to slice the onions, mince the garlic, and chop the cilantro.
• Large bowl and whisk to make the adobo marinade.
• Large mixing bowl or a large baking dish with lid to marinate the chicken.
• Kitchen tongs - to turn over the chicken in the marinade.
• Baking sheet with aluminum foil to bake the chicken wings.