Chicken Afritada

Name: Chicken Afritada
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 1 kg chicken, cut into serving pieces; 250g tomato sauce; 2 potatoes, cubed; 2 carrots, sliced; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 green bell pepper, sliced; 1 cup green peas; 1 large onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 cup chicken broth; 2 bay leaves; 2 tbsp cooking oil; Salt and pepper

Afritadang Manok (ah-free-TAH-dah)

Chicken in Tomato Sauce

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 420 kcal

Tender chicken pieces braised in a rich tomato sauce with potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and green peas — a Spanish-influenced Filipino home-cooking classic.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 32.0g

Carbs 28.0g

Fat 20.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ none

Equipment Needed

heavy pot or Dutch oven wooden spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep serving dish

Garnishes: bell pepper strips, bay leaves

Accompaniments: steamed rice

Ingredients

1 kg chicken, cut into serving pieces
250g tomato sauce
2 potatoes, cubed
2 carrots, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 cup green peas
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 cup chicken broth
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp cooking oil
Salt and pepper

Instructions

1
Heat oil in a heavy pot. Brown chicken pieces on all sides, about 8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
2
Sauté garlic and onion until softened. Add tomato sauce and cook 3 minutes.
3
Return chicken to the pot, add soy sauce, chicken broth, and bay leaves. Simmer 20 minutes.
4
Add potatoes and carrots, cook 10 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
5
Add bell peppers and green peas, cook 5 more minutes until everything is tender.
6
Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot over steamed rice.

💡

Did You Know?

Afritada comes from the Spanish word "fritada," but the Filipino version is entirely different from any Spanish dish — it is a purely Filipino creation inspired by Spanish cooking techniques.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

heavy pot or Dutch oven
wooden spoon

Garnishing

bell pepper strips, bay leaves

Accompaniments

steamed rice

The Story Behind Chicken Afritada

Afritada is one of several Filipino dishes born from the fusion of Spanish colonial cooking methods with indigenous Filipino ingredients and tastes. During over 300 years of Spanish rule, Filipino cooks working in colonial households adapted European braising and stewing techniques, substituting local ingredients and adjusting flavors to Filipino palates. The tomato-based sauce reflects the Spanish influence, while the combination with soy sauce and rice is distinctly Filipino.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed everyday lunch or dinner 📜 Origins: Spanish colonial era, 16th-19th century

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