Chicken Afritada (Filipino Chicken and Vegetable Tomato Stew)
Local name: Afritadang manok
In short: Chicken simmered with potatoes, carrots and bell peppers in a garlicky tomato sauce, a mild, saucy Filipino stew served over plenty of steamed rice. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 335 kcal
Afritada is one of the everyday stews of the Philippines, a mild tomato dish of chicken, potato, carrot and bell pepper that turns up at family lunches and in school lunch boxes. The chicken is browned first, then simmered with the vegetables until the sauce turns thick and glossy. It is sweet, gentle and saucy, so children like it, and it tastes even better the next day spooned over rice.
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and season with a little salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the chicken in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden. Set it aside.
- In the same pot, cook the onion and garlic for 3 to 4 minutes, until soft and fragrant. Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, water and fish sauce and add the bay leaves. Return the chicken to the pot, bring to a simmer, cover and cook on low for 15 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and carrots. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) inside.
- Stir in the bell peppers and cook uncovered for 4 to 5 minutes, until they are tender but still bright and the sauce is thick.
- Taste, adding the sugar if the tomatoes are sharp, and adjust the salt. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Tips
- Browning the chicken first adds deep flavor to the sauce. Add the bell peppers late so they keep their color and a little bite.
- Tomato sauces vary in acidity, so taste before the end. A teaspoon of sugar rounds off any sharpness.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between afritada, menudo and kaldereta?
All are tomato-based stews. Afritada has chicken or pork with potato and bell pepper, menudo has diced pork and liver, and kaldereta uses beef or goat in a richer, spicier sauce.
Can I use boneless chicken for afritada?
Yes, but bone-in pieces give a richer sauce. If you use boneless thighs, cut the first simmering time to 10 minutes.
Can I add green peas to afritada?
Yes. Stir in a handful of green peas with the bell peppers. Some families also add sliced sausages.
How long does it take to make Chicken Afritada (Filipino Chicken and Vegetable Tomato Stew)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Chicken Afritada (Filipino Chicken and Vegetable Tomato Stew)?
About 335 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 24 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 335 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 24 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
