EASY CHICKEN AFRITADA RECIPE FILIPINO STYLE | Pinoy lutong probinsya

Easy Chicken Afritada: Filipino-Style Comfort Food for Every Budget

Chicken Afritada is a beloved Filipino staple that brings families together with its rich, tomato-based sauce and tender chunks of chicken. This easy, budget-friendly recipe (murang ulam) uses simple ingredients to create a hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Part of the classic lutong bahay (home cooking) tradition, Afritada is a go-to ulam for today when you crave something comforting and satisfying without breaking the bank.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Budget-Friendly: Affordable ingredients feed a crowd.
✅ Easy & Quick: Ready in under 60 minutes!
✅ Versatile: Customize with veggies or make it vegetarian.
✅ Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults love this ulam pinoy staple.

Classic Chicken Afritada Recipe

Yields: 6 servings | Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

2 kilos chicken (any part, cut into pieces)
Marinade: 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 calamansi juice (or 1 tbsp vinegar), 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper
1 large potato, cubed
2 carrots, sliced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tomatoes, diced
½ cup tomato sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 cup water or chicken broth
½ cup green peas (optional)
1 tsp sugar (to balance acidity)
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking oil

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions:

Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, mix chicken with soy sauce, calamansi juice, salt, and pepper. Set aside for 30 minutes.
Sear the Chicken:
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pot. Add chicken pieces and sear until golden brown. Set aside.
Sauté Aromatics:
In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, and tomatoes until soft. Add tomato sauce and paste, then cook for 2 minutes.
Simmer the Stew:
Return chicken to the pot. Add bay leaf, water/broth, potatoes, and carrots. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.
Add Veggies & Finish:
Stir in carrots and bell pepper. Simmer for 10 more minutes until veggies are tender. Add green peas, sugar, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning.
Serve Hot:
Best paired with steamed rice! Garnish with spring onions if desired.

Variations & Pro Tips:

Vegetarian Recipe: Replace chicken with tofu, mushrooms, or chickpeas. Use vegetable broth.
Afritada Batangas Style: Add Siling Labuyo (chili) for extra heat and liver spread for a thicker sauce.
Other Filipino Stews:
- Menudo: Uses liver and potatoes with tomato sauce and olives.
- Caldereta: Beef-based, often with potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers.
- Mechado: Marinated beef in tomato sauce, star anise, and liver spread.
Pork Afritada: Substitute chicken with pork shoulder for richer flavor.
Chicken Curry: Add coconut milk and curry powder for a creamy twist.
Chicken Pastel: Afritada filling baked in a flaky pie crust.
Budget Meal Hack: Use chicken necks, wings, or thighs for extra flavor at a lower cost.

Why This is the Perfect Ulam for Every Occasion

Chicken Afritada embodies lutong probinsya (provincial cooking) with its humble yet soulful flavors. It’s a comforting dish for busy weeknights, a hearty meal for family gatherings, or even a profitable ulam recipe na pang negosyo for home-based food entrepreneurs. Its simplicity, deliciousness, and versatility make it a timeless Filipino favorite.

Try today, and enjoy a taste of home in every bite! 🍛🇵🇭

#filipinofood #chickenrecipe #food #ulampinoy #lutongbahay #murangulam