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    Home » Chicken Recipes

    Chicken Tocino Recipe (Sweet Cured Chicken)

    Published: Jul 25, 2023 by Nora Reyes · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. · 4 Comments

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    Chicken Tocino (Sweet Cured Chicken) with tender, juicy chicken thighs marinated in sweet and savory flavors. Making it at home is budget-friendly and allows you to customize it to suit your taste.

    Chicken Tocino (Sweet Cured Chicken) or tocilog on a plate with garlic rice, fried egg, achara, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a spiced vinegar dipping sauce.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients you'll need
    • Notes and substitutions
    • How to make this recipe
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Try other silog breakfast options
    • Other chicken recipes you may like
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients you'll need

    Individual ingredients for Chicken Tocino (Sweet Cured Chicken)
    Water and oil (for frying) are not in the photo.

    Notes and substitutions

    • Chicken: Boneless chicken thighs are ideal as they are excellent for marinating and remain juicy after cooking. If you prefer chicken breast, be careful not to overcook it to keep it tender and juicy.
    • Pineapple juice: It adds sweetness, tenderizes the meat, and enhances the flavors. In a pinch, apple or orange juice can be used as substitutes.
    • Annatto powder: It is a natural food coloring that imparts that distinct reddish hue. It has no flavor, so you can skip it if you are not particular about the color. Some recipes use red food coloring.

    How to make this recipe

    Step 1: Clean 2 pounds of boneless chicken thighs thoroughly, trimming excess fats and large veins or connective tissue.

    Trimming the excess fats and large veins or connective tissue from boneless chicken thighs.

    Step 2: Finely mince 4 garlic cloves, gather them into a pile, and sprinkle a pinch of salt over them. Place the flat side of the knife's blade on top of the garlic and glide it back and forth, mashing it into a paste-like consistency.

    Mashing garlic using the flat side of the knife into a paste-like consistency.

    Step 3: Warm ⅓ cup of pineapple juice in the microwave, then dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of annatto powder.

    Add the remaining marinade ingredients: mashed garlic, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, ⅔ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon kosher salt (use half for table salt), and ½ teaspoon ground pepper. Mix well.

    PRO TIP: Taste your marinade before adding meat. Adjust the flavors at this stage to make sure it meets your preferences.

    Mixing the tocino marinade in the bowl.

    Step 4: Place the chicken in a container or a resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, coating them evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least overnight or up to 3 days. If you plan to cook it later, freeze it to extend its shelf life.

    Marinating the boneless chicken thighs in a glass container.

    Step 5: To cook, arrange the slices in a single layer in a skillet. Pour about ¼ inch of water and cook them covered over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, flipping halfway through.

    Adding water to the chicken tocino in the skillet.

    Step 6: Remove the cover and allow the remaining water to evaporate. Drizzle some oil over the chicken, to caramelize it beautifully and prevent it from sticking to the pan.

    Chicken tocino in the skillet with most of the water evaporated.

    Step 7: Constantly move the slices while caramelizing the outside for 3-5 minutes to prevent burning.

    Caramelizing the chicken tocino in the skillet.

    Step 8: Cut the chicken tocino into bite-sized pieces.

    Serve your delicious chicken tocino with Achara (Pickled Green Papaya) and a spiced vinegar dipping sauce. Store leftovers in the fridge and consume within a day or two.

    Cutting the chicken tocino into bite-sized pieces on a cutting board.

    Recipe FAQs

    What does tocino taste like?

    Tocino is a Filipino cured meat that's sweet and savory marinated in sugar, garlic, and soy sauce. It develops a caramelized exterior when cooked, creating a delicious contrast with its tender, flavorful meat.

    Is chicken better for tocino?

    The preference for chicken or pork tocino ultimately depends on individual taste and dietary choices. Chicken tocino is leaner and lighter, while pork tocino is juicier and richer because of its fat content. Try both to see which one you like more.

    Can I use chicken breast for tocino?

    Yes. You can use chicken breast for tocino. While chicken breast is leaner and may not be as juicy as chicken thighs or pork, it can still be a tasty and healthier option. To ensure the chicken breast stays tender and juicy, remember not to overcook it.

    Try other silog breakfast options

    Silog is a beloved breakfast in the Philippines that combines three classic elements: Sinangag (Garlic Fried Rice), itlog (fried egg), and a protein of your choice. Here are some examples:

    • Tocilog: Pork Tocino (Sweet Cured Pork) is another variation, using pork belly, shoulder, or butt.
    • Longsilog: Filipino sausages known as longganisa are known for its sweet, garlicky flavors.
    • Tapsilog: Grilled or pan-seared beef slices (tapa) with savory, tangy flavors.
    • Chicksilog: Crispy fried chicken, often seasoned or lightly breaded.
    • Dangsilog: Salted dried fish, usually paired with a tomato and cucumber salad on the side.
    • Liemposilog: Ininhaw na Liempo or grilled pork belly slices marinated in soy sauce, calamansi, banana ketchup, and garlic.

    Other chicken recipes you may like

    • Chicken Afritada on a plate.
      Chicken Afritada
    • Filipino Chicken Curry on a plate.
      Filipino Chicken Curry Recipe
    • Filipino Fried Chicken on a plate.
      Filipino Fried Chicken Recipe
    • Chicken Tinola in a bowl.
      Chicken Tinola Recipe

    Did you make this recipe? I would love to know! Your feedback helps me make better recipes.  Please rate, review, or comment below. Questions about this recipe are welcome, too!

    Let's connect on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, and Youtube. Be sure to tag me when you try any of my recipes @recipesbynora!

    📖 Recipe

    Chicken Tocino (Cured Chicken) with garlic rice topped with egg, vinegar dipping sauce and a salad on a plate.

    Chicken Tocino (Sweet Cured Chicken)

    Tender, juicy chicken thighs marinated in sweet and savory flavors. Making it at home is budget-friendly and allows you to customize it to suit your taste.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Main Course
    Cuisine: Filipino
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Marinate: 8 hours hours
    Total Time: 8 hours hours 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 180kcal
    Author: Nora Rey
    Cost: $8-$10

    Equipment

    • Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (see note)
    • 4  garlic cloves minced & mashed to a paste
    • ⅓  cup pineapple juice (see note)
    • 1-2  teaspoons annatto powder (see note)
    • 1  tablespoon soy sauce
    • ⅔  cup granulated sugar  sub: brown sugar
    • 1  tablespoon kosher salt (use half for table salt)
    • ½   teaspoon ground black pepper
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Clean the boneless chicken thighs thoroughly, trimming excess fats and large veins or connective tissue.
    • Finely mince the garlic, gather them into a pile, and sprinkle a pinch of salt over them. Place the flat side of the knife's blade on top of the garlic and glide it back and forth, mashing it into a paste-like consistency.
    • In a bowl, warm the pineapple juice in the microwave, then dissolve the annatto powder.
    • Add the remaining marinade ingredients: mashed garlic, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and ground pepper. Mix well.
    • Place the chicken in a container or a resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, coating them evenly.
    • Marinate in the refrigerator for at least overnight or up to 3 days. If you plan to cook it later, freeze it to extend its shelf life.
    • To cook, arrange the slices in a single layer in a frying pan. Pour about ¼ inch of water and cook them covered over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, flipping halfway through.
    • Remove the cover and allow the remaining water to evaporate. Drizzle some oil over the chicken to caramelize it beautifully and prevent it from sticking to the pan.
    • Constantly move the slices while caramelizing the outside for 3-5 minutes to prevent burning.
    • Cut the chicken tocino into bite-sized pieces. Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Chicken: Boneless chicken thighs are ideal as they are excellent for marinating and remain juicy after cooking. If you prefer chicken breast, be careful not to overcook it to keep it tender and juicy.
    • Pineapple juice: It adds sweetness, tenderizes the meat, and enhances the flavors. In a pinch, apple or orange juice can be used as substitutes.
    • Annatto powder: It is a natural food coloring that imparts that distinct reddish hue. It has no flavor, so you can skip it if you are not particular about the color.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 180kcalProtein: 29gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 144mgSodium: 135mgPotassium: 370mgVitamin A: 36IUCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
    Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided here is solely for informational purposes. I am not a certified nutritionist, and this data hasn't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or any other authority. It shouldn't be seen as health or nutrition advice. The figures are estimates calculated from various food composition databases and might vary based on product types, brands, natural variations in produce, and ingredient processing methods. Individual results may differ.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @recipesbynora or tag #RecipesByNora!

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    About the author

    Hi, I'm Nora! 

    Whether you're new to Filipino food or have loved it for so long, I sure am happy you're here!  I hope you'll find useful recipes that you can enjoy and share with family and friends.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Hilda

      October 09, 2023 at 4:38 am

      5 stars
      Now i make tocino at home, i love this recipe so much. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Nora Reyes

        October 09, 2023 at 9:02 pm

        Hello Hilda, Awesome! I'm glad you liked the tocino recipe. Let me know if you try out any other dishes! 😄

        Reply
    2. Mark

      July 25, 2023 at 12:19 am

      5 stars
      Now you are making me hungry. I love tocino! Is this better than the frozen ones in the Asian supermarket?

      Reply
      • Nora Rey

        August 18, 2023 at 7:49 am

        Absolutely! While the frozen ones from the Asian supermarket are convenient, making chicken tocino at home is more economical. Plus, the biggest advantage is that you have full control over the ingredients and their quality.

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes

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