Instant Pot Chicken Adobo with Potatoes is the perfect weeknight comfort meal, bringing all the rich, savory flavors of classic Filipino adobo into a fast and easy one-pot recipe. Tender chicken thighs and drumsticks simmer in a tangy soy sauce and vinegar base with garlic, onion, and potatoes that soak up every drop of delicious sauce. It is simple to make, incredibly flavorful, and always a family favorite served over warm rice!
Filipino Chicken Adobo is all about bold, comforting flavors created from the simplest pantry ingredients. The combination of soy sauce and vinegar makes the sauce savory and tangy, while garlic and bay leaves build warmth and depth that reminds everyone of home.
I use Silver Swan soy sauce and Datu Puti white vinegar, two staples you will find in many Filipino kitchens. Silver Swan gives a rich umami flavor and deep brown color, and Datu Puti delivers the clean acidity that makes adobo so uniquely delicious. These ingredients create that true Filipino adobo taste that families have passed down for generations!
My husband is Filipino, and I first tried adobo when I visited his family years ago. It was served with a huge pot of warm rice, and I instantly understood why this dish is so loved. It is cozy, satisfying, and truly brings people together.
Chicken adobo is extremely popular, but some families use pork belly or pork shoulder for a richer, melt-in-your-mouth dish. Others even combine chicken and pork. One of the best parts about Filipino food is that every household has their own version — all equally authentic.
This Instant Pot version keeps the traditional flavors but makes dinner easier. The sauce still cooks down into a glossy, tangy glaze, and the potatoes soak up every bit of flavor.
One of the beautiful things about Filipino adobo is how simple it is. Just a handful of pantry staples come together to create the most comforting and flavorful meal. There’s no marinating, no long list of spices, and no complicated steps. You simply sear, season, and let the Instant Pot do all the work. It’s the kind of recipe you can make on repeat without any stress — always delicious, always reliable, and always a hit at the dinner table.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs and drumsticks
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/3 cup soy sauce Silver Swan brand
- 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar Datu Pitu brand
- 5 cloves garlic smashed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 large yellow onion sliced
- 2 –3 medium potatoes peeled and cut into large chunks
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns optional, for a more traditional flavor
- 2 scallions sliced, for serving
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- Add in onion, chicken, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, potatoes and whole peppercorns (if using).
- Stir everything together, leaving more potatoes on top to prevent them from overcooking.
- Seal the lid and cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes. Allow a natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Serve warm over rice!
[…] was chicken adobo over white rice with the same carrots she didn’t eat at lunch. I added kiwi and another tangerine […]