A truly delicious , traditional Filipino dish, chicken tocino is one of the most popular dishes of the Philippines .
This dish combines the sweet and savory flavors of Filipino cooking, making it one of the most unique dishes around.
What ingredients are used to make chicken tocino ?
Chicken tocino is made with chicken , which is marinated in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, and spices .
The addition of brown sugar balances the flavors, while the fried garlic and onions give it a crunchy texture.
The ingredients for chicken tocino are simple:
- Chicken (you can use any part of the chicken, such as thighs , wings, or legs)
- Vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Curry powder
- Brown sugar
- Oil (for frying)
- Garlic (preferably fried garlic)
How long does it take to prepare a chicken tocino dish ?
Chicken tocino takes approximately one hour to prepare, including marinating the chicken .
The most difficult part of preparing this dish is waiting for the chicken to cook.
This may be the reason why many restaurants in the Philippines serve chicken tocino on their hot plate.
Most of them add fried garlic and onions , which gives it a crispy texture with a unique taste.
If you’re looking for a more traditional setting , you can also enjoy this dish in a clay oven or an outdoor grill.
How is chicken tocino typically served ?
Chicken tocino is typically served in a bowl with rice .
It can also be served with a side of garlic fried rice , or simply eaten with a spoon.
What type of marinade is used to make chicken tocino ?
Chicken tocino is traditionally made in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce and spices.
However, a variety of marinades can be used .
You can use any combination of vinegar , soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and onions.
For example, if you want to use less vinegar , you can use only half the amount of vinegar or less.
Alternatively, you can use a combination of vinegar and tomatoes instead of soy sauce .
For example, you could use one part tomato sauce, one part red wine vinegar and one part soy sauce.
What other dishes can be served alongside chicken tocino ?
The chicken tocino recipe is a perfect accompaniment to a plate of rice , but you should also consider serving it alongside some of your favorite side dishes .
Here are some of the best options.
Baked sweet potato fries
Potato fries have become a staple at restaurants everywhere , and they’re easy to make at home .
Baking your own sweet potato fries is a great way to save money, while still enjoying the same crisp texture as restaurant fries.
The addition of seasoned salt and vinegar adds a big hit of flavor, which pairs well with the sweet, savory flavors of chicken tocino.
Grilled potatoes
The classic fried potatoes are a wonderful side for chicken tocino , but you can’t go wrong with grilled potatoes .
Simply cook your potatoes until golden brown, then toss them on the grill alongside your chicken.
The extra smoky flavor of the grilled potatoes will elevate their taste further.
Crispy brown rice
Brown rice is a great option for making at home.
This healthy whole grain is delicious and filling thanks to its high fiber content.
It’s also low in calories and fat , making it a great choice for any meal .
You can eat it by itself as a side dish , or pair it with your choice of protein .
Chicken tocino works well with this recipe because it’s a great choice of meat for a healthy diet.
Is chicken tocino a traditional Filipino dish ?
Chicken tocino, or chicken in vinegar (in Filipino, it’s called chicken tocino), is a specialty of the Philippines.
This dish is prepared using chicken marinated in a mixture of vinegar , soy sauce, and spices before being deep-fried .
This unique preparation gives the chicken a unique and delicious flavor.
Tocino is originally from the word “toco,” which means “to fry.”
In the Philippines , there’s always an extensive list of dishes that feature fried onions or garlic as a topping, so chicken tocino was likely originally cooked when chickens were being fried for communal consumption .
How can chicken tocino be cooked to make it healthier ?
Chicken tocino is traditionally made with the most calorie-rich cuts of chicken, such as thighs and drumsticks.
This recipe calls for the use of chicken breast and legs , which have less calories, making this dish a healthy choice for your next meal .
You can also easily make chicken tocino more healthful by switching out some of the oil used to fry the garlic and onion for low-fat cooking spray.
Because of its complex taste, chicken tocino is a very rich dish .
The key to making it healthier is to reduce the amount of sodium you add while cooking.
This recipe calls for the addition of salt , but you can easily substitute in a low-sodium soy sauce or low-sodium fish sauce if you’re on a diet.
What type of oil is used to fry chicken tocino ?
Chicken tocino is usually fried in a mixture of oil and soy sauce .
Coconut oil and olive oil are sometimes used as well , but coconut oil tends to have a flavor that is too strong for the dish and olive oil can be overpowering.
If you want to make a healthier version of chicken tocino , you can use vegetable oil instead of oil.
It won’t taste exactly like the original dish, but it will still be tasty .
What is the best way to store cooked chicken tocino ?
Chicken tocino is one of those dishes that comes together with ease, but it can also be a bit tricky.
The first step is marinating the chicken in a mixture of vinegar , soy sauce, and spices.
This helps infuse the chicken with extra flavor, while the brown sugar balances out the flavors .
Once the chicken is ready, it should be deep-fried in oil.
In order to achieve a crispy texture, it’s best to deep fry the pieces in batches.
Once the chicken is cooked , you may decide whether to serve it immediately or store it in an airtight container .
If you’re planning to serve it immediately, you should allow it to cool down before storing it in an airtight container.
If you want to keep it warm for later consumption, you should follow these instructions.
Note that these instructions are for store-bought fried chicken; if you’re making your own fried chicken recipe for this dish , use these instructions instead .
Are there any variations in the recipe for chicken tocino ?
The recipe for chicken tocino is simple to prepare and does not vary much from region to region.
However , the way it is cooked will vary depending on the region.
The dish is often prepared with the addition of coconut milk .
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup banana ketchup
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 pounds chicken thigh
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
Instructions
- Mix pineapple juice, ketchup, sugar, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir thoroughly to distribute.
- Add the chicken, then use the curing ingredients to evenly colour the meat. Place in the refrigerator for about 4 hours or overnight to cure. Then, transfer to a covered container or ziplock bag.
- Add the chicken, along with the marinade, to a pan over medium heat.
- up to a boil. Add additional water in 1/2 cup increments as necessary, lower heat, cover, and simmer until meat is soft and thoroughly cooked.
- Add oil once the meat is fully cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Chicken should be cooked further, tossing often, until well browned and caramelised. Serve warm.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.