Chicken Afritada: Filipino Tomato Chicken Stew
Dan
Filipino stew | Tomato chicken | Weeknight comfort
Chicken afritada is a bright tomato chicken stew with potatoes, carrots, and peppers in a sauce that begs for rice.
Why make it: This version keeps the stew approachable with pantry tomato sauce, bone-in chicken, and vegetables added in the right order.
Fresh From the Kitchen
What Is Chicken Afritada?
Chicken afritada is a Filipino tomato-based chicken stew commonly cooked with potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, garlic, and onion.
Why You Will Love It
- Practical for U.S. kitchens: the recipe uses ingredients and substitutions a home cook can realistically shop for.
- Built for the table: the serving notes match how the dish usually lands in Filipino-American homes, from weeknights to merienda to parties.
- Flexible without erasing the dish: swaps are named clearly so the original idea stays visible.
- Easy to cook through: the shopping list, timings, and storage notes make the recipe straightforward to test and adjust.
Ingredient Notes
For the main ingredient
Choose fresh, good-quality ingredients and cut them evenly so Chicken Afritada cooks predictably.
For the sauce
Taste near the end; Filipino stews and braises should feel balanced with rice, not flat on their own.
Chicken Afritada Recipe
This version keeps the stew approachable with pantry tomato sauce, bone-in chicken, and vegetables added in the right order.
Shopping List
- bone-in chicken
- tomato sauce
- potatoes
- carrots
- bell pepper
- garlic
- onion
- fish sauce
- bay leaf
- rice
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- Black pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
Vegetables
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- Steamed rice
Instructions
- Prepare and season the main ingredients so they are ready before the pot gets hot.
- Cook the aromatics in oil until fragrant and lightly softened.
- Add the main protein or vegetables and cook long enough to build flavor.
- Pour in the sauce or broth ingredients and bring to a steady simmer.
- Cook until tender, adding vegetables in stages so each one keeps the right texture.
- Taste and adjust salt, acidity, sweetness, or heat before serving.
- Rest briefly, then serve hot with rice or the suggested sides.
Tips For The Best Chicken Afritada
- Build flavor early: Take time with aromatics before adding liquid.
- Add vegetables in stages: This keeps soft vegetables from dissolving.
- Taste with rice in mind: The sauce should be slightly bold because rice softens it.
- Rest before serving: A short rest helps the flavors settle.
How To Serve And Store
Serve hot with steamed rice and a simple vegetable side. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 4 days and reheat gently.
Common Questions
Can I make Chicken Afritada ahead?
Yes. Most Filipino stews and braises taste even better after resting overnight.
Can I use a different cut?
Usually yes, as long as you adjust the cooking time for tenderness.
Can I make it less salty?
Use low-sodium soy sauce or fish sauce sparingly, then adjust at the end.
Can I freeze it?
Saucy meat dishes freeze well; vegetable-heavy dishes are best eaten fresh or refrigerated.
What detail makes Chicken Afritada taste like home for you? Share your family version or testing notes in the comments.
Recipe inspiration and technique reference: Filipino home-cooking source research from Panlasang Pinoy, Kawaling Pinoy, and Filipino-American cooking sources in the site roadmap.
