Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or chicken drumsticks or breasts)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for searing)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Adobo Sauce:
- 3 dried guajillo chilies, stems and seeds removed
- 2 dried ancho chilies, stems and seeds removed
- 2 roma tomatoes, roasted or charred
- 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon honey (or brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for blending)
Optional Garnishes and Sides:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
- Cooked rice
- Warm tortillas
- Refried beans
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dried Chilies
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast the dried guajillo and ancho chilies for about 1-2 minutes on each side, until they become fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
- Place the toasted chilies in a bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for 10 minutes until softened.
Step 2: Roast the Tomatoes and Garlic
- In the same dry skillet or over an open flame, roast the tomatoes until their skins are charred and blistered, about 5-7 minutes. Turn them occasionally for even charring.
- Add the garlic cloves to the skillet and roast them until they are lightly golden and fragrant.
Step 3: Blend the Adobo Sauce
- Drain the soaked chilies and place them in a blender or food processor.
- Add the roasted tomatoes, garlic, onion, vinegar, honey, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and chicken broth.
- Blend until smooth, adding more broth or water if needed to achieve a sauce-like consistency.
- Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any bits of chili skin or seeds, if desired.
Step 4: Sear the Chicken
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season them with salt and black pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 5: Simmer the Chicken in the Adobo Sauce
- Reduce the heat to medium and pour the blended adobo sauce into the skillet. Stir and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon some sauce over the chicken.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Stir occasionally and add a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickens too much.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
- Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and spoon the adobo sauce generously over the top.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side.
- Pair with warm tortillas, rice, or beans for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g