Chicken Bistek Tagalog Recipe
Step aside beef, chicken takes the bistek stage! This quick and easy recipe delivers the beloved Filipino flavors of savory soy sauce, tangy calamansi, and aromatics in a juicy chicken version. It's healthier and budget-friendly comfort food at its finest - ready in a flash and bursting with flavor!
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 257kcal
Equipment
- 1 deep skiller or pot
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken thighs or boneless thighs
- 4 cloves garlic
- ½ medium onion sliced
- ¼ cup calamansi or substitute with meyer lemon
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 cup water add more if needed
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides (around 5-7 minutes).
- Pour in the reserved marinade and water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens slightly. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
- Transfer chicken and sauce to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped scallions or cilantro (optional).
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to form a slurry. Stir it into the simmering sauce just before the end of cooking.
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for more flavor and richness, but be sure to adjust cooking time and remove the skin before serving.
- Feel free to experiment with the amount of calamansi juice to adjust the tartness to your preference.
- You can easily double or triple this recipe to feed a larger crowd.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 47.3g | Protein: 15.2g | Fat: 2.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.6g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 3763mg | Potassium: 473mg | Fiber: 2.2g | Sugar: 18.6g | Calcium: 148mg | Iron: 3mg
