A classic Filipino dish, this easy Chicken Afritada recipe uses fresh ingredients and only takes 35 minutes to make! It's a perfect weeknight meal and uses one pot for cooking, making clean-up quick and easy!
This chicken recipe was inspired by other Filipino Stews that use tomato paste or tomato-based sauce like Beef Mechado or Beef Caldereta.
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What is Chicken Afritada
Chicken Afritada also referred to and can be spelled as Chicken Apritada is a type of Filipino Chicken Stew. The word "afritada" is a Spanish word that means to fry. While it has a Spanish root word, it is a popular Filipino dish that is usually served on special occasions. However, by using lean cuts of meat like chicken breast, this dish can be made in under an hour, 35 minutes to be exact, making it perfect for quick everyday meals your family will enjoy!
Main Ingredients
- Oil: Olive Oil or any of your favorite will work
- Aromatics: Garlic and Onion
- Tomatoes: I used fresh tomatoes. Alternatively, you can use Tomato Sauce or Tomato Paste which will give you a richer sauce.
- Chicken Breast
- Liquid: Chicken Stock or Water
- Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings: Dried Bay Leaves, Black Pepper, Fish Sauce
- Vegetables: Potatoes, Carrots, Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper, Green Peas
Please see the recipe card for step-by-step instructions on how to make Chicken Apritada.
Optional Ingredients
- Protein: chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, pork, and fish can also be used to make Afritada.
- Fruits: ripe plantains and pineapples can also be added to this Afritada recipe which will give it a more tropical flavor.
- Flavorings: soy sauce can be used in place or in addition to fish sauce. Add according to your own personal taste. For a gluten-free option, tamari or coconut aminos can be substituted for soy sauce. Fish sauce is naturally gluten-free, but do check the labels as some can have added wheat in it.
How to Cook
STEP 1: Season chicken with salt and set aside. Sauté garlic and onions with olive oil, until lightly golden in color in a hot skillet over medium-high heat.
STEP 2: Add and sauté tomatoes for a minute or two.
STEP 3: Add chicken and sear until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
STEP 4: Flavoring process. Add the fish sauce, chicken broth, bay leaf, and black peppercorns.
STEP 5: Cook the root vegetables. Add the potatoes and carrots.
STEP 6: Finishing touches. Add bell peppers and peas and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Serve while warm with a bowl of cooked white rice. Enjoy!
*Please see the recipe card for the exact ingredients to make Chicken Apritada.
Substitutions
This Afritada recipe can be made using other types of meat, like pork or fish. The dish in and of itself is made flavorful by adding fresh vegetables. The sweetness you get from the tomatoes, peas, and carrots, will surely add a punch of flavor. Then we take it up a notch by adding potatoes to make this a hearty, one-pot meal. It's optional to serve this with steamed rice. I mean, what are you going to do with all that flavorful sauce?!
There are many ways in which you can make Chicken Afritada, like frying the meat before adding the rest of the afritada ingredients, using canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes, or adding fresh plantains to give this dish a more tropical flavor.
Equipment Needed
This Afritada Chicken is a one-pot meal! Sauté, simmer, and can be served using the same cooking pot. This is one of the reasons why I LOVE my Le Creuset Skillet.
Cooking Tips
Time-Saving: use petite potatoes that have already been washed and cook easily.
FAQ About Chicken Afritada
YES! Chicken Afritada tastes even better the next day because all the ingredients have had a chance to blend together.
Promptly place the Chicken Afritada dish in the refrigerator in a sealed container within 1 to 2 hours of serving. Any leftovers can be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator and consumed within 3 to 4 days. Otherwise, well-wrapped leftovers can be kept in the freezer for up to three months.
Fish Sauce! It has a very pungent smell and taste. It's briny and savory so it adds an unexpected, yet delightful flavor to this dish. Think umami complexity! To mellow out the taste, try using 1 tablespoon to start and see how that fits your personal taste.
A side of Giardiniera or any hot sauce is a good complement for a spicier flavor.
Other Chicken Recipes You May Like
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📖 Recipe Card
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 Garlic cloves crushed
- 1 Medium Onion quartered
- 2 to 3 Medium-sized ripe Tomatoes quartered
- 2 pounds Chicken Breast boneless and cut into bite-sized
- 2 Tablespoon Fish Sauce
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 Dried Bayleaf
- ½ teaspoon Peppercorns
- 10 Petite Gold and Red Potatoes sliced in half or left whole
- 1 Carrot peeled and cut ½" diagonally
- ½ each of Red and Green Bell Pepper cut into strips
- ½ cup of Peas fresh or frozen
Instructions
- In a skillet, over medium-high heat, add olive oil. When heated through, add and sauté garlic until lightly golden in color.
- Add onions and sauté until soft and translucent for about 2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and sauté for a minute.
- Add the chicken and cook until opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Optional to browning the meat slightly.
- Add the fish sauce and chicken broth, while scraping the bottom of the pan lightly. The caramelization from the meat and veggies add to the flavor as well. Add bay leaf and black peppercorns. Cover, lower the heat to simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and carrots and cook for 5 more minutes, while keeping the dish covered in the skillet.
- Uncover and then add bell peppers and peas and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Serve while warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- Meat - Chicken thighs (with bone or boneless) would work great for this recipe. Feeling adventurous, use a whole chicken cut-up so everyone can have their pick of either dark or white meat. Other than chicken, this Chicken Afritada recipe is also great to cook using pork, beef, or seafood. Do keep note that if you want something to cook in under 30 minutes, use a cut of meat that doesn't need tenderizing.
- Tomatoes - I always make this dish using vine-ripened tomatoes either from the garden or store-bought. The flavor truly is magical when using nothing but fresh ingredients. So with that said, pick fresh ingredients like potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and peas. Disclaimer: I used frozen organic peas in this recipe to keep my cooking time at 30 minutes.
- Petite Gold or Red Potatoes - I love using this especially when I'm in a hurry because you don't need to peel, or dice and although the bag says that it's pre-washed, I still like to give the potatoes a quick rinse. If you prefer you can use other types of potatoes. My favorite is the Yukon Gold. Did you know that potatoes with darker-colored skin (like Yukon Gold potatoes) are healthier and better for you? Well, now you do!
- Fish Sauce - Did you know it's Gluten-Free? Be sure to read the label to make sure there's no wheat in it. (See KEY Ingredients Note above.)
- Any chicken broth will work for this dish, however, I prefer my own homemade chicken stock.
Nutrition
*This recipe has been modified, to make it more user-friendly.
Julie
I appreciate your detailed instructions. They are very helpful! A delicious recipe that’s so easy to follow.
Jocelyn Wilhelm
Thank you for the kind words Julie. Come and visit again!
Lillian
I have never used fish sauce before. Thanks for introducing me to this ingredient. It gave the dish that umami taste. And you're right, I first added just one tablespoon, but two was perfect for me. Keep sharing recipes!
Jocelyn Wilhelm
So glad it turned out just the way you like it Lillian! 🥰 Thanks so much for your continued support.
Kayla
I love how delicious this dish turned out! Anytime I can use fresh ingredients is fine by me so thank you for sharing this recipe. I came home from work and made this and I appreciate how quick and easy it was to make dinner for my family. Can't wait to try your other recipes! Thanks again!!
Jocelyn Wilhelm
Hello Kayla! I'm glad you like the recipe! I love using my Instant Pot and especially for this dish, you're right, not as messy using a regular skillet. 🙂