How To Cook The Best Chicken Afritada

In the Philippines, there are a lot of primary ingredients that you can use in making numerous dishes. Those ingredients include pork, chicken, beef, and fish. But for some reason, there are some instances that Filipinos are avoiding taking pork and beef in their meal. Maybe because of their culture, tradition, and health status. Instead, they consider chicken as their used ingredient. 

Moreover, in return, with the use of those ingredients, Filipino cuisine becomes one of the most popular worldwide. Some of their courses are Adobo, Sisig, Sinigang, and Kakanin. However, in this article, we would like to introduce another menu that can ease your hunger. It is the Chicken Afritada. 

This Chicken Afritada cuisine is a famous course that the Filipino has. The primary ingredient of these recipes is chicken. Plus, it has a saucy mixture that contributes a lot to its flavor and taste. Also, it has a variety of vegetables that add so much texture and savor. With the sweet taste of each of these vegetables, it can bring a new dimension to your cuisine. 

Furthermore, there are some cases where some people are still comparing Menudo and Afritada. Maybe because of the similarity of their ingredients like tomatoes and vegetables. Our star cuisine can use chicken and pork as the primary ingredient, then Menudo uses only pork as the main compound. But even it is more alike. They both contain an exceptional flavor that can boost your appetite to keep you from eating more.

On the other hand, to know more about these delightful recipes, join us as we give the information that can help you to prepare these recipes on your own. In return, you can make a delicious meal that your family wants. So, let’s get started!

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What are Chicken Afritada Recipes

Having a great meal is the right choice when it comes to food preparation. That is why it is better to choose what recipes can significantly impact your taste buds, like this chicken menu that we will discuss. You can get on the internet numerous recipes, but this course can stand out for some of them. That is why we are here to guide you to prepare these delicious recipes.

Thus, take a look at this section as we give you the details of what kind of meal these recipes are. And where this meal comes from, how it started, when it came, and who gave these delightful recipes to the Filipino people. 

Our star cuisine is a Spanish dish that came from the word Fritada, which means fried. The Spanish people are the ones who introduce these beautiful recipes to the Filipinos. Way back 1521 to 1898, it was born during the colonial era of Spain in the Philippines. Pan-frying is one of the methods that they bring into them. This cooking method uses a minimal amount of oil to prepare a smooth meal in the pot. 

On the other hand, unlike other dishes, you can consider Chicken Afritada a healthy meal that can provide a tasty and healthy flavor that is good for your body. That is why including it in your menu is an excellent option to consider.

So, let us move forward to other information that can help you to understand these recipes. Keep on navigating as we provide the details that serve as your guidelines in making this delightful meal. Let us explore what kind of data these recipes have. Enjoy reading!

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Ways on How to Cook These Chicken Afritada Recipes

This section provides a list of the methods that you can consider while preparing these delicious recipes. Each of this information can help you decide which ways are better and fits you the most. You can use this method based on which is more convenient and available in your kitchen. To know more about what we are talking about. Here is the following;

• Using Instant Pot

It is the first method on the list. Using this pot is the primary and uncomplicated method that you can use in your kitchen. It is a convenient appliance that is easy to manage effortlessly. Added the time setting that it has, you can prepare your meal in an instant.

In preparing this method, you need to put all your ingredients in this pot. The next thing is to set your time less than or greater than 1 hr. Even so, the time depends on how many elements you put inside. Thanks for this appliance, you don’t need to spend much attention looking in your mixture from time to time. 

Besides, this method can prevent burning and overdone mixture and ingredients. Because of the time setting that it has, you can prevent it from happening. That is why considering it is a top choice.

• Using Slow Boiler

Using this functional kind of method can provide an excellent savory taste to your recipes. With the use of a slow process, it can bring out the natural flavor of your ingredients. Even if you are using low, medium, or high heat, it doesn’t matter. It can give a balanced heat that makes your food ready. 

In preparing your recipes with this tool, ensure that you put all your ingredients inside your boiler. You can include all the seasoning or place it afterward. It is your choice, by the way. However, this method consumes more time than your usual preparation. The regular practice is 40 mins to 1 hr. But in this case, it can finish 1 hrs 30 mins to 2 hrs 30 mins, depending on the number of used ingredients you have. 

• Using Wok

If you are not familiar with and used to this kind of pan, it has a deep structure and is easy to use for constant tossing and constant flipping. Besides, did you know that most restaurants are thankful for using this tool for most of their dishes? Yes, that is certain. It is the most convenient tool that you can find in your kitchen because it can slip and mix your mixture instantly with the presence of oil. 

For some reason, it has a substance that can prevent your food from sticking into your pot. Plus, it has a strong holder that you can grip to support your hand in constant tossing and flipping. It is preferable instead of using a regular pot because most of the time, some standard tool doesn’t avoid sticking food into your pan. 

• Using pressure cooker

It is an essential tool in preparing food, especially in tenderizing your primary ingredients. Unlike other pots, this tool can save so much time and effort upon preparation. This pot is also an essential tool that many restaurants have. Plus, with the use of this pot, you can prepare your food shorter than you expected. As you know, chicken is much easier to tenderize than pork and beef. That is why using this pot is an excellent option also, especially when you are busy. 

In cooking our star cuisine in a pressure tool pot, you need to put all your ingredients inside the pot and cover it. Set your time and wait until it softens. Approximately 10 mins to 15 mins are the maximum time to check if it is OK. It is because if you set it for too long, it might burn or overdone. That is why you need more attention while you are preparing this chicken course in your pressure boiler. 

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Variation

This section contains a list of the possible variations of these recipes. As you know, having a variety is an essential idea to find what suits you the most, especially when it comes to food. To make it happen, we gather the possible recipes that might fit your taste. It includes the following;

• Chicken Afritada with cheese

The creamy mixture is one of the most enjoyable meals when it comes to a dish. That is why it is not surprising that numerous Filipinos’ recipes are with different sauces, including our star cuisine. These recipes have their unique savory, but putting this dairy product gives your meal a new dimension. 

This dairy product may include any meals and desserts in Filipino cuisines. Unlike other dairy products, it can provide an upgraded taste to your food. It has a sweet and salty flavor that can balance the taste of your mixture. The creamy taste that it possesses can boost your appetite to keep you from eating more. That is why many Filipinos consider it as an excellent compound in their numerous recipes. 

In cooking our star cuisine with cheese, make sure you put it when your meal is halfway ready. It is because it is easy to melt and burn. To avoid that from happening, you can turn your fire into a medium-low to properly simmer the dairy product. That way, it can dissolve thoroughly. 

Also, the sourness of the tomatoes can counter the salty and sweet flavor of the cheese. With its combination, you can create a phenomenal savory meal that anyone can enjoy. However, ensure that you put enough not to overpower the original flavor of your chicken menu. 

• Afritada with Pineapple tidbits

Pineapple tidbits are one of the common ingredients in Filipino cuisines. Typically, they include it in their Pininyahang Manok and other recipes like our star cuisine of the day. Your added pineapple can provide an extra sweetness to your mixture. Its juice can counter the saltiness that you have in your sauce. 

Plus, it can also lessen the sourness of your tomatoes. It can be your balancing agent to make an excellent savory taste for chicken recipes. Pineapple tidbits are also easy to find. You can avail of this ingredient in any grocery store and your local market. 

You can also use fresh pineapple if you don’t have the canned and packed ones. However, make sure that it is sweet and not sour. Ensure that you use ripe pineapple rather than the unripe because ripe ones are more sweet and juicy than the green ones that are sour and dry. 

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Troubleshooting

In this section, you can find the possible remedies you can perform if you come across some instances. We gather some common problems in the kitchen that need more quickly and attention to resolve. We listed some of them below to give you an awareness and knowledge if you need it. It includes the following;

• Too Bland

It is the most common and easy to adjust. In this case, you need to increase your mixture’s salinity by putting in some seasoning like salt. Liquid seasoning also works well, as the fish sauce. Fish sauce is an excellent liquid flavoring with a salty flavor that can provide a savory taste to your sauce. 

When adjusting the saltiness of your mixture, put the salt of fish sauce into your mix. Then constantly stir it carefully. Taste your sauce and adjust if needed. However, ensure that you control your seasoning amount because it can also cause another trouble if you put too much. 

• Too Salty sauce mixture

You need a quick remedy because it might affect the rest of your ingredients if you adjust them later on. As you know, the meat and vegetables are an excellent absorber of flavor, so they can also adapt your sauce’s saltiness. Salinity is the most sensitive when it comes to preparing food. It can also affect your appetite and interest, especially when you add too much. 

You can pour liquid ingredients like water, chicken broth, and vegetables in adjusting your salty mixture. Ensure that it is unsalted to lessen the salinity of your menu. Pineapple tidbits are also an effective ingredient to consider because it has a sweet and juicy flavor that can counter your meal’s saltiness. You can also consider putting some absorbing compounds like potatoes, eggs, and other vegetables. 

• Too tough meat

If you come across this trouble, you can consider using other convenient boilers. You can consider using a slow process pot, pressure boiler, and instant pot. Even if these tools are different from each other, they can provide the proper functional process in tenderizing your ingredients. Especially the pressure boiler that can also shorten the time of preparation.

In adjusting the texture, pour some liquid ingredients like water, chicken stock, and vegetable broth, and bring it to boil again. Ensure that you separate the vegetable to another container and don’t include it in another boiling set because it can become overdone if you put it also inside the pot. 

Set your time within 20 mins to 30 mins if needed. Check it in that time rage to control its texture and avoid overdone or burning. Then afterward, you can now put the sauce and other vegetable ingredients that you separate from it. Adjust your seasoning based on your preference.

• Thin sauce mixture

There are some instances that the consistency of your recipes are much more watery than you prefer. It can affect your appetite and interest in eating this delightful meal. That is why we give you an excellent remedy for that.

In resolving the thin consistency of your mixture, prepare a slurry that can thicker your blend. It consists of half amount of water and half amount of flour or cornstarch. Mix it well and add it while your meal is boiling.  It would help if you had a constant stir to avoid curdling and balance your sauce structure. If you feel the heaviness upon stirring, it works well. 

However, ensure that you put enough because it can cause another problem if you put too much. 

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Trivia

This section contains additional information about the other side of these chicken recipes. We listed some of the details that might build your interest in it. This information also can serve as your guidelines to understand more of this cuisine. It includes the following;

Information about the ingredients of these chicken recipes:

• Chicken - is the primary ingredient of our star menu. Instead of using pork and beef, these recipes use chicken. As you know, chicken is one of the easiest to tenderize and prepare, aside from fish. That is why it is not surprising that many people are using this kind of ingredient.

However, aside from having a unique and tasty flavor, this food can also offer different nutrients. In return, it can excellently benefit your health, especially your body. So, here are the following information about it;

• A raw, skinless chicken breast fillet contains the following;

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 26 grams
• Fats: 2 grams
• Carbohydrates: 0 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Sugar: 0 grams

It also has other nutrients that can give you an additional benefit. It includes vitamin B12, tryptophan, choline, zinc, iron, and copper. Not only that, but you can also use this chicken in different ways like shredded in a salad, grilled over rice or vegetables, sliced on a sandwich, a substitute for beef as a burger patty, in a wrap with salsa and hummus, and with pasta and your favorite sauce.

In return, there are also benefits that you can gain by consuming these ingredients. It includes the following;

• It provides vitamins and minerals involved in brain function.
• It contains nutrients linked with mood.
• It can strengthen your bones.
• It can promote heart health.
• It can contribute to your weight loss.
• It can build your muscles.

• Tomato - is a kind of fruit that includes making numerous kinds of meals like our star cuisine. It has a sweet and sour taste that can convert as a savory ingredient that provides a flavorful taste. Even so, it also contains a lot of nutrients that can give some benefits to your body. These nutrients include the following;

In 100 grams of it, you can get the following;

• Calories: 18
• Water: 95%
• Protein: 0.9 grams
• Carbs: 3.9 grams
• Sugar: 2.6 grams
• Fiber: 1.2 grams
• Fats: 0.2 grams

Other than that, this fruit also contains other elements of nutrients like vitamins and minerals. It includes vitamin C, folate, vitamin K, and potassium. It also has some plant compounds like lycopene, beta carotene, naringenin, and chlorogenic acid.

On the other side, here are some of the benefits that you can get from it;

• It can control your blood pressure.
• It can help you to prevent the risk of heart diseases.
• It can help you to avoid blood clotting.
• It can also strengthen your bones.
• It can maintain average tissue growth and cell functions.

• Potatoes - is a kind of root craft that you can use as an ingredient in your meals. It also has a specific taste that is a perfect absorber in any flavors that you like. In return, aside from the taste and flavor, you can also get nutrients with a good effect on your health. Here are the following;

In 100 grams of potatoes, you can get the following;

• Calories: 87
• Water: 77%
• Protein: 1.9 grams
• Carbs: 20.1 grams
• Sugar: 0.9 grams
• Fiber: 1.8 grams
• Fats: 0.1 grams

On the other hand, it also contains some nutrients that you might not know, like other vegetables. These nutrients are vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, and potassium. Rather than that, it also has other plant compounds that you can have in potatoes. It includes chlorogenic acid, catechin, lutein, and glycoalkaloids. 

For having these root crafts, you can also get the following benefits;

• It can help you to lower your blood pressure.
• It can help you to maintain your brain functioning and nervous system health.
• It can strengthen your immune system.
• It can prevent inflammation.
• It can help you to digest food properly.
• It can lessen the risk of heart disease.
• It can help you to restore electrolyte balance.
• It might reduce colon cancer—based on studies.

Tips

This section contains the tips that you can perform while preparing these delightful recipes. You can also consider this information to make your meal more tasty and flavorful. We create a list that can serve as your guidelines in preparing these recipes. It includes the following;

• Ensure that you clean your ingredients properly. 
• Trim the extra fats in your chicken to lessen its oiliness afterward.
• Use fresh ingredients for better taste and savor.
• If you use frozen ingredients, make sure that you give time to soak it with clean water.
• Put the vegetable in your mixture for 5 to 10 minutes to prevent it from overdone.
• You can also use fresh, canned, or packed tomatoes. Either of those works well.

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Best Served With

This section contains a list of possible recipes that can complement the taste of your chicken mixture. Each of these has a chemistry that you can consider while having your meal. It includes the following;

• Steamed rice - is a meal that every Filipino has on their dining table. This meal has a specific taste that can complement the salty mixture of our star dish. That is why it can be an excellent combo for you.
• Bread - is another wheat product with a simple taste with an outstanding combo with our star cuisine's creamy mixture.
• Lumpiang Shanghai - is also a popular course that you can have in the Philippines. It has an excellent taste and texture that you can enjoy while having our star cuisine beside. The crunchy texture of this course can provide excitement for every person who eats it. That is why considering it is a superb option.

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Conclusion

We hope that the information that we provide can enlighten you in cooking these delightful recipes. Even so, we thank you for spending time with us while introducing this delicious cuisine. We assure you that this meal can provide the flavor and the taste that you want.

Thus, if you come across different trouble in your cuisine, ensure to navigate the troubleshooting that we give you for better remedies. We also provide some tips that you can perform while cooking these recipes. 

So, what are you waiting for? Try it at your home and share the excellent vibes that it might give your family. Enjoy eating! Thank you!

For more delicious recipe, visit Eat Like Pinoy!

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