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Home > Chicken + Poultry Recipes

Sweet Chicken Asado

BY :Bebs | Published: 07/11/ 2020 | Updated:11/11/ 2020 | 14 Comments

RECIPE VIDEO PRINT
5 from 2 votes
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This sweet Chinese-style Chicken Asado has just the right balance of sweetness and saltiness. Made from the juicy tender and flavorful chicken thigh that can be enjoyed with rice or as a filling to steamed buns.

Chicken Asado

What is Asado?

The name "Asado" would suggest Spanish origins but this Filipino dish is actually Chinese-influenced as you can see in the ingredients used. Not surprising, since the Philippines was under Spanish rule for 300 years a long long time ago, but longer than that, Filipinos were already trading with China. So I would say it is a mixture of both cultures as most of the Filipino dishes are.

The word Asado —from the Spanish word "Asar" that means to roast or grill, in general it refers to anything that is roasted, grilled or barbecued.

This Chicken Asado is actually a variation of the more popular pork version. that is closely related to Char Siu— a type of Chinese barbecued pork. And similarly, it is also used as filling to Filipino steamed buns, siopao Asado.

About the ingredients

In this recipe, I used chicken thigh because it is juicier and brings more flavor as it has enough amount of fats. However, like the common variation, pork can be used instead of chicken. I would suggest using pork shoulder that is ideal for braising and slow cooking. Beef can also be an alternative.

If you are to serve it as a viand, cook it bone-in. But if you plan to use it as a filling for steamed or baked buns, then remove the bones or buy the chicken thigh fillet.

Traditional Filipino Asado dishes do not use Hoisin sauce. But if you have it might as well use it. It adds a nice gloss and thicker sauce. If not, you can simply add 2-3 pieces of star anise or five-spice powder to the boiling liquid. You may also need a sauce thickener like cornstarch slurry added towards the end of cooking.

Siopao Filling

Other similar dishes to try:

recipe for teriyaki chicken
Crispy skin yet tender-juicy meat drizzled with sweet-savory sauce,- this Chicken Teriyaki Recipe is indeed a delicious mix of contradictions that you will love. 

Braised pork belly in sweet-savory soy-vinegar sauce.
Delicious braised pork belly with savory-sweet soy-vinegar sauce with a distinguishing taste of tausi cooked until tender.
Hamondo Recipe
Get this easy recipe for Pork Hamonado that has a perfect balance of sweet and savory and with meat so tender, it melts in your mouth.

Chinese-style Asado Chicken
Chicken Asado Recipe
Print Review

Sweet Chicken Asado

5 from 2 votes
Filipino chicken asado is a dish that is both sweet and salty, using soy sauce, brown sugar and other spices. This version was slowly cooked to get that tender melt-in-your mouth goodness.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
Course :Main Course
Servings =4
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced
  • 1 medium onion - chopped finely
  • 1 pound chicken thigh fillet
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3-4 pieces bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a deep pan or pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken, skin side down, and sear both sides until cooked and lightly browned. Remove from oil and cut into small cubes.
  • In the same pot with oil, saute garlic and onion until aromatic and lightly browned. Add back the cut chicken pieces.
  • Pour in soy sauce and add brown sugar and bay leaves. Cook until the sugar has slightly caramelized, then add water. Once it starts to boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the meat becomes tender--add more water if needed.
  • Once the liquids is reduced to a thick sauce and the meat is fork-tender. Add Hoisin sauce and season with pepper. Stir.
  • Transfer into a serving dish and serve with steaming hot rice.

Notes

This recipe is good enough for 4 servings as a main dish. 
If to use as a filling for steamed buns, it should be good for 10 buns.

Nutrition

Calories: 882kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 91gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 254mgSodium: 3514mgPotassium: 1743mgFiber: 3gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 305IUVitamin C: 15.3mgCalcium: 116mgIron: 4.3mg
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

This recipe was originally published in February 2015. Updated in July 2020 to include new photos, more tips, and a recipe video.

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  1. Meg Badruddin says

    April 18, 2022 at 1:22 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing this. Chicken siopao is a favorite of mine!

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      June 25, 2022 at 6:30 pm

      I am glad you like it, Meg.

      Reply
  2. Sherill says

    May 19, 2021 at 5:51 am

    Hi, how much five spice to use? Thanks

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      May 19, 2021 at 10:21 am

      Start with a teaspoon and adjust as you like.

      Reply
  3. DRA says

    September 14, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    Was wondering if you can do this recipe using instapot to reduce cooking time?

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      November 20, 2020 at 10:48 pm

      Of course, you can use intapot, but since chicken cooks fast, I do not think it will make that much of a difference in cooking time.

      Reply
  4. Timmy says

    July 14, 2020 at 10:33 pm

    Another fabulous recipe to add to my collection. My family will love this. Thank you for sharing this idea!

    Reply
  5. Des says

    July 14, 2020 at 12:56 pm

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! Is it possible to use pork meat with it? Or what changes would you make if I use pork meat? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      August 11, 2020 at 6:53 pm

      Hi Des, sure you can. I Will actually make it next time for my Puto Pau recipe.

      Reply
  6. Grace says

    June 07, 2020 at 6:41 pm

    Hello, can I omit Hoisin sauce or use any other alternative?

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      June 10, 2020 at 2:50 am

      Hi Grace, if you really cannot get hoisin sauce, you can use 5-spice powder.

      Reply
  7. Ann says

    May 04, 2020 at 11:02 pm

    Thank you.

    Reply
  8. Chase says

    January 05, 2019 at 12:15 am

    Is it possible to cook this in a slow cooker?

    Reply
  9. Kheng says

    March 21, 2018 at 11:38 am

    I tried your Enseymada recipe last week to bring the enseymada for our prayer meeting, and everyone loved it and craving for more. I only made 1 recipe so only one piece per individual. Although I don't have a mixer and just mixed it by hand still it comes out successful. Thank you for sharing. God bless the works of your hands.

    Reply

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