Chicken dishes will always be a hit when it comes to the dining table. May it be fried, mixture-based, or broth. As they say, you can never go wrong with chicken. And in the Philippines, every province has a chicken dish that is unique to their area.
In this article, we will share a dish that is truly one of a kind. This recipe is an heirloom provincial recipe that is conceiving in a very historical province. It is dubbed as the Cradle of the First Philippine Republic, Bulacan.
So enough of tickling your curiosity, and I know you are excited as I am. So let us share with you all the things you need to know to cook the Best Chicken Pakam and have your family taste a unique dish that they will love.
What is the Best Chicken Pakam Recipe
Chicken Pakam is almost similar to Adobo, another distinct Filipino chicken recipe, because of the inclusion of vinegar into it and how the chicken is cooking. The significant difference is the addition of tomatoes and ginger, which gives it a bit of a tang.
The dish is pretty straightforward. Every ingredient only needs to be cooked in tenderness, aromatics first, and then the chicken. The fish sauce provides that distinct flavor, and it also draws out the taste of the chicken. The Pakam na Manok is more of a stew rather than just a simple stir-fried dish.
This unique chicken recipe has its roots in Bulacan, an agricultural province north of Manila. The majority of the people's livelihood comes from farming and raising poultry and livestock.
The dishes coming from Bulacan are heavily influenced by Spanish cooking, mainly because of the Spanish elites and the priesthood who chose to stay in Bulacan.
Ways to Cook
Pakam na Manok may sound challenging to cook, but having the right guide is the key to mastering it. And cooking it is never limited to just one option. So we have a list here of the other ways to cook Pakam na Manok in your kitchen.
Stovetop Recipes
Many Filipino households rely on stovetop cooking because of how reliable and affordable it is. No wonder many of the most notable Filipino dishes use a stovetop method of cooking.
Any pot can be using. If you have a cast-iron skillet, that can work as well. What you need is a pan that holds a high temperature. Then proceed in sauteing the aromatics before adding in the chicken. For better flavors, pan-fry the chicken first to draw out the flavors from the skin.
The charring on the skin when frying the chicken also adds a smoky flavor layer, which goes well with the tomatoes' tang.
Instant Pot Recipes
The instant pot is a friend for people who do not have the luxury of time when it comes to cooking or people who need to do many things all at the same time. This updated version of the classic pressure cooker is a reliable piece of cookware for it can do the job of multiple kitchen appliances.
You can saute the ingredients using the instant pot, then after making sure that they are adequately cooking, that's the time that you let the instant pot do its magic. Press the corresponding setting on the instant pot to cook chicken and cook for about 20 minutes.
The pressure build-up inside the cooker allows the ingredients to cook faster.
Slow Cooker Recipes
Another innovation in the kitchen appliances is the slow cooker. The name itself suggests how it works: slow and steady heat cooks the dish. Many believe that slow cooking is better because it allows the flavor to concentrate inside the cookware without overcooking the ingredients.
Like the instant pot, you can also saute the ingredients using the slow cooker before fully cooking it by pressing the correct button. After sauteing, select the corresponding button for cooking chicken.
The buttons and the process by which a slow cooker cooks a dish allows for unattended cooking so you can do other things while waiting for it to cook.
Other Delicious Variants and Recipes
The simplicity of the Pakam na Manok makes it a versatile dish: the modifications that can be ready are endless. One only needs to have a creative cooking mind to pull them off. For starters, we made a list of other delicious variants of Pakam na Manok that you can also try.
Pakam na Manok With Gata Sauce Recipe
Any dish is made better when you add coconut milk or coconut cream to it. The creaminess and the sweetness it gives makes any dish truly irresistible. That is why adding coconut milk to our Pakam na Manok levels it up one notch better.
The cooking process is the same: the only significant difference is coconut milk's addition near the cooking process. To ensure optimum results, add coconut milk and coconut cream and let it simmer until the coconut oil floats on top.
Spicy Chicken Pakam Recipe
The addition of chili to any dish makes it even more enjoyable to eat. The spice and the heat it gives off makes us eat it even more. And for Filipinos who can not live without rice, spicy foods make the perfect partner for it.
You can use finger chilies for a milder heat. Those long green chilies and ginger are often using for soup-based dishes. But if you are the adventurous type, you can go ahead and use red chilies for intense heat and kick.
The additional heat in the Pakam na Manok also aids in masking the chicken's scent and tenderizing the meat.
Trivia about this Recipe
Chicken meat is a good source of protein and Vitamin B12. And because it is white meat, chicken meat contains a lesser amount of fat, especially if they are free-range chicken, meaning they grow outside of cages and graze naturally.
Tips
Here are some time-tested kitchen tips when buying and cooking chicken to ensure that you get your money's worth.
- Choose plump and moist chicken parts when buying meat. It is an indication of freshness.
- Avoid choosing chicken that is already forming a slimy coating.
- Before cooking, prick the meat with a fork to make sure that the inside gets cooked.
Troubleshooting
No matter how simple cooking chicken might be, there will always be challenges in cooking it. But don't worry, because we got you covered. We have a list of troubleshooting tips that you can use to remedy kitchen mishaps when cooking Pakam na Manok.
- If the flavor is lackluster, add a few tablespoons of fish sauce or vinegar.
- The runny mixture is due to adding more liquid than intended, allowing the dish to simmer for a few more minutes to reduce the amount of liquid.
Best Serve With
To enjoy Pakam na Manok better, we also included a list of dishes you can pair it with. See which one fits your liking.
- Taco Fried Rice - This flavorful Mexican-inspired rice dish is a perfect partner for our equally savory chicken recipes. After all, a chicken will always be perfect with rice.
- Tortang Alamang - The glaring contrast of flavor and texture makes this a suitable pair for Pakam na Manok. The interesting pairing of seafood and poultry is sure to bring delight to any adventurous diner.
- No-Bake Macaroni - Cheesy and creamy paired with a dish that is savory and flavorful. This pairing is sure to win anybody's heart because of how their flavors complement each other.
Conclusion
There are still a lot of recipes out there that need to be discovered and learned. One needs passion and dedication to learn those. But you'll get there. That is why we are here to guide you and help you on your culinary journey.
All this information, tips, and tricks are sure to help you cook Pakam na Manok at home and many other dishes in the future, so keep learning and never stop exploring. Until next time, happy cooking!
For more delicious recipe, visit Eat Like Pinoy!
Recipe
Best Chicken Pakam Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken thigh and wings sliced
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 pc Onion big size, sliced
- 4 pcs Tomatoes sliced
- ½ teaspoon Crushed Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Fish Sauce
- 1 pc Chicken's blood optional
- 1 thumb Ginger julienned
- 2 tablespoon Cooking Oil
- 1 cup Water
- ½ cup Tomato Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Soy sauce
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan. Sauté garlic, onion and ginger. Then, add tomatoes. Stir well for 5 minutes.
- Put the chicken and sprinkle with black pepper. Pour the fish sauce and soy sauce. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce, chicken's blood (optional), and water. Wait until cook.
- Serve while hot!
Nutrition
Chicken dishes will always be a hit when it comes to the dining table. May it be fried, mixture-based, or broth. As they say, you can never go wrong with chicken. And in the Philippines, every province has a chicken dish that is unique to their area.
In this article, we will share a dish that is truly one of a kind. This recipe is an heirloom provincial recipe that is conceiving in a very historical province. It is dubbed as the Cradle of the First Philippine Republic, Bulacan.
So enough of tickling your curiosity, and I know you are excited as I am. So let us share with you all the things you need to know to cook the Best Chicken Pakam and have your family taste a unique dish that they will love.
What is the Best Chicken Pakam Recipe
Chicken Pakam is almost similar to Adobo, another distinct Filipino chicken recipe, because of the inclusion of vinegar into it and how the chicken is cooking. The significant difference is the addition of tomatoes and ginger, which gives it a bit of a tang.
The dish is pretty straightforward. Every ingredient only needs to be cooked in tenderness, aromatics first, and then the chicken. The fish sauce provides that distinct flavor, and it also draws out the taste of the chicken. The Pakam na Manok is more of a stew rather than just a simple stir-fried dish.
This unique chicken recipe has its roots in Bulacan, an agricultural province north of Manila. The majority of the people's livelihood comes from farming and raising poultry and livestock.
The dishes coming from Bulacan are heavily influenced by Spanish cooking, mainly because of the Spanish elites and the priesthood who chose to stay in Bulacan.
Ways to Cook
Pakam na Manok may sound challenging to cook, but having the right guide is the key to mastering it. And cooking it is never limited to just one option. So we have a list here of the other ways to cook Pakam na Manok in your kitchen.
Stovetop Recipes
Many Filipino households rely on stovetop cooking because of how reliable and affordable it is. No wonder many of the most notable Filipino dishes use a stovetop method of cooking.
Any pot can be using. If you have a cast-iron skillet, that can work as well. What you need is a pan that holds a high temperature. Then proceed in sauteing the aromatics before adding in the chicken. For better flavors, pan-fry the chicken first to draw out the flavors from the skin.
The charring on the skin when frying the chicken also adds a smoky flavor layer, which goes well with the tomatoes' tang.
Instant Pot Recipes
The instant pot is a friend for people who do not have the luxury of time when it comes to cooking or people who need to do many things all at the same time. This updated version of the classic pressure cooker is a reliable piece of cookware for it can do the job of multiple kitchen appliances.
You can saute the ingredients using the instant pot, then after making sure that they are adequately cooking, that's the time that you let the instant pot do its magic. Press the corresponding setting on the instant pot to cook chicken and cook for about 20 minutes.
The pressure build-up inside the cooker allows the ingredients to cook faster.
Slow Cooker Recipes
Another innovation in the kitchen appliances is the slow cooker. The name itself suggests how it works: slow and steady heat cooks the dish. Many believe that slow cooking is better because it allows the flavor to concentrate inside the cookware without overcooking the ingredients.
Like the instant pot, you can also saute the ingredients using the slow cooker before fully cooking it by pressing the correct button. After sauteing, select the corresponding button for cooking chicken.
The buttons and the process by which a slow cooker cooks a dish allows for unattended cooking so you can do other things while waiting for it to cook.
Other Delicious Variants and Recipes
The simplicity of the Pakam na Manok makes it a versatile dish: the modifications that can be ready are endless. One only needs to have a creative cooking mind to pull them off. For starters, we made a list of other delicious variants of Pakam na Manok that you can also try.
Pakam na Manok With Gata Sauce Recipe
Any dish is made better when you add coconut milk or coconut cream to it. The creaminess and the sweetness it gives makes any dish truly irresistible. That is why adding coconut milk to our Pakam na Manok levels it up one notch better.
The cooking process is the same: the only significant difference is coconut milk's addition near the cooking process. To ensure optimum results, add coconut milk and coconut cream and let it simmer until the coconut oil floats on top.
Spicy Chicken Pakam Recipe
The addition of chili to any dish makes it even more enjoyable to eat. The spice and the heat it gives off makes us eat it even more. And for Filipinos who can not live without rice, spicy foods make the perfect partner for it.
You can use finger chilies for a milder heat. Those long green chilies and ginger are often using for soup-based dishes. But if you are the adventurous type, you can go ahead and use red chilies for intense heat and kick.
The additional heat in the Pakam na Manok also aids in masking the chicken's scent and tenderizing the meat.
Trivia about this Recipe
Chicken meat is a good source of protein and Vitamin B12. And because it is white meat, chicken meat contains a lesser amount of fat, especially if they are free-range chicken, meaning they grow outside of cages and graze naturally.
Tips
Here are some time-tested kitchen tips when buying and cooking chicken to ensure that you get your money's worth.
- Choose plump and moist chicken parts when buying meat. It is an indication of freshness.
- Avoid choosing chicken that is already forming a slimy coating.
- Before cooking, prick the meat with a fork to make sure that the inside gets cooked.
Troubleshooting
No matter how simple cooking chicken might be, there will always be challenges in cooking it. But don't worry, because we got you covered. We have a list of troubleshooting tips that you can use to remedy kitchen mishaps when cooking Pakam na Manok.
- If the flavor is lackluster, add a few tablespoons of fish sauce or vinegar.
- The runny mixture is due to adding more liquid than intended, allowing the dish to simmer for a few more minutes to reduce the amount of liquid.
Best Serve With
To enjoy Pakam na Manok better, we also included a list of dishes you can pair it with. See which one fits your liking.
- Taco Fried Rice - This flavorful Mexican-inspired rice dish is a perfect partner for our equally savory chicken recipes. After all, a chicken will always be perfect with rice.
- Tortang Alamang - The glaring contrast of flavor and texture makes this a suitable pair for Pakam na Manok. The interesting pairing of seafood and poultry is sure to bring delight to any adventurous diner.
- No-Bake Macaroni - Cheesy and creamy paired with a dish that is savory and flavorful. This pairing is sure to win anybody's heart because of how their flavors complement each other.
Conclusion
There are still a lot of recipes out there that need to be discovered and learned. One needs passion and dedication to learn those. But you'll get there. That is why we are here to guide you and help you on your culinary journey.
All this information, tips, and tricks are sure to help you cook Pakam na Manok at home and many other dishes in the future, so keep learning and never stop exploring. Until next time, happy cooking!
For more delicious recipe, visit Eat Like Pinoy!
Recipe
Best Chicken Pakam Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken thigh and wings sliced
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 pc Onion big size, sliced
- 4 pcs Tomatoes sliced
- ½ teaspoon Crushed Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Fish Sauce
- 1 pc Chicken's blood optional
- 1 thumb Ginger julienned
- 2 tablespoon Cooking Oil
- 1 cup Water
- ½ cup Tomato Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Soy sauce
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan. Sauté garlic, onion and ginger. Then, add tomatoes. Stir well for 5 minutes.
- Put the chicken and sprinkle with black pepper. Pour the fish sauce and soy sauce. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce, chicken's blood (optional), and water. Wait until cook.
- Serve while hot!