Hidden Gem: Adobo Sa Gata

Written by on in Filipino Food

Yes, I reiterate: Hidden Gem!!!

What is Adobo?

Whenever foreigners ask for a staple Filipino dish, Filipinos usually say Adobo. What is this popular Filipino dish? Adobo is pork or chicken or other kinds of meat that is usually marinated in garlic, vinegar, soy sauce and pepper, and then simmered in its marinade. Because Adobo is a dish stewed in vinegar, it can be stored for weeks in the freezer. They say the longer it is stored, the better it tastes.

Did you know that there are many kinds of Adobo?

There are:

  • Classic Adobo (Chicken “Manok” or Pork “Baboy)
  • Adobong Puti
  • Chicken Pork Adobo
  • Adobo Sa Gata (Chicken Stewed in Coconut Cream)
  • Adobo Flakes or Adobong Malutong
  • Adobong Baka “Beef”
  • Adobong Puso ng Saging
  • Adobong Pusit
  • Adobong Kangkong

For my first Adobo recipe, I’ll focus on the understated Adobo sa Gata. I say understated because the usual Adobo you can eat anywhere is the Classic Adobong Manok or Adobong Baboy or even Chicken Pork Adobo or CPA. But Adobo Sa Gata is not something that you can readily find in a restaurant.

I say it’s a gem because it’s so simple yet SO GOOD!!! For the recipe below, I use Chicken breast because it’s healthy. I also used extra virgin olive oil because of the health benefits of the oil. However, you may opt to use any other part of the Chicken and any other . Use what makes you happy!

For the coconut milk and cream, it’s always better to use fresh coconut cream from shredded coconut meat. But that’s not always available. The easier and more convenient way is to buy a can or box of coconut cream. To get the coconut milk – add water to the coconut cream to dilute the coconut cream.

Adobo sa Gata Recipe

  • 500g chicken breast
  • 1 head of garlic
  • black pepper
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 170 ml coconut cream
  • 170 ml coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • Chia seeds (optional)
Boiling the coconut milk stew
  1. Wash the chicken. Pound the chicken to tenderize it. Chop it into 1.5-inch chunks.
  2. Prepare the marinade. Dice the garlic and place in a bowl. Add the vinegar and black pepper.
  3. Add the chicken to the marinade. Rub the marinade into the chicken. Cover the bowl with Clingwrap and allow the marinade to set for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Add oil to a hot pan.
  5. Remove the chicken from the marinade and sauté in the pan until a little brown.
  6. Add the coconut milk to the chicken in the pan. Add the remaining marinade as well. There should be enough liquid to cover the meat. Allow to boil for around 15-20 minutes. Make sure that the stew does not dry up or get burnt.
  7. Add the chia seeds (for the extra dose of added nutrition).
  8. When half of the liquid has evaporated, add the coconut cream. Let it simmer for around 5 minutes.
  9. Serve with rice.
  10. ENJOY!
Adobo sa Gata