Go Back
–+ servings
Chicken Tocino (Cured Chicken) with garlic rice topped with egg, vinegar dipping sauce and a salad on a plate.
Print

Chicken Tocino (Sweet Cured Chicken)

Sweet cured chicken cooked until tender and caramelized.
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine Filipino
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinate 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 180kcal
Author Nora Rey
Cost $8-$10

Equipment

  • Wide pan

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  • Trim excess fat and tough parts from the chicken.
  • Mash garlic with salt into a paste.
  • Add pineapple juice, annatto, garlic, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  • Marinate chicken overnight or up to 3 days.
  • Cook in a pan with a little water, covered, for 5 minutes.
  • Let water evaporate, then add oil.
  • Cook, turning, until caramelized.
  • Slice and serve.

Notes

  • Chicken: Boneless thighs work best and stay juicy. Chicken breast works too, but don’t overcook.
  • Pineapple juice: Adds sweetness and helps tenderize. Apple or orange juice also works.
  • Annatto powder: Adds the reddish color. Skip it if color doesn’t matter.
 
Cooking Tips
  • Marinate overnight for better flavor.
  • Mash the garlic so it blends well and won’t burn.
  • Add water first to cook the chicken before caramelizing.
  • Stir often at the end so the sugar doesn’t burn.
  • Annatto is only for color; you can skip it.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal | Protein: 29g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 135mg | Potassium: 370mg | Vitamin A: 36IU | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg