If you know me well, you know how my eyes sparkle when I see tomato sauce-based dishes. Although I love anything with tomato sauce, I rarely enjoyed it during my younger years when eating at home. My father was not a fan so my mom rarely made tomato sauce-based dishes. I usually enjoy them when dining out or when eating at gatherings especially Chicken Afritada.

Because of my love for tomato sauce-based dishes, I tried making my own. The first tries were not very satisfying but eventually, I got the right combination of ingredients.

Chicken Afritada is another dish that I know I could say I am very proud of. It mainly consists of chicken, veggies like potatoes, carrots, bell peppers (green and/or red), and tomato sauce. Some other ingredients are added to make it tastier.

According to Wiki, the word “afritada” is derived from the Spanish word “fritada”, meaning “fried”. As per my understanding, your choice of meat is being seared or pan-fried first before the rest of the cooking procedures.

Cooking Chicken Afritada is very easy – you just have to sear the chicken, sauté veggies, dump everything in a pot, and simmer until everything is cooked. It’s the waiting game that’s not very delightful because we have to simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes or so. And because I have tried cooking Chicken Afritada few times before I got hooked with the recipe I am sharing today, I am sharing some tips based on my experience.

TIPS:

It is best to use chicken with bones and skins intact. This is because the chicken with bones and skins release most juices and natural oil (??). I sometimes add the part from the neck down to the bottom just to add more flavor.

I prefer to simmer the chicken over low heat so the chicken releases juices slowly and beautifully… if you know what I mean. 😀

Adding chicken cubes enhances the chicken flavor. I also add Knorr liquid seasoning, but this is optional.

I know it is exciting to enjoy this right after cooking, but this tastes better the next day just like this Beef Giniling.

I am sharing this at Fiesta Friday #310. Thanks to our host, Angie, and her cohost Diann @ Of Goats and Greens.

Chicken Afritada (Afritadang Manok)

A tomato sauce-based dish that’s perfect with white rice. It is easy to make, but it is so good!

Ingredients

2 tbsp cooking oil
500 g chicken cut into pieces
4 cloves garlic sliced
1 onion sliced
1 carrot cut into chunks
1-2 potatoes cut into chunks
1 bell pepper sliced
400 g 2 pouches tomato sauce
1-2 tbsp tomato paste
2 chicken cubes
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp liquid seasoning optional
¾ cup wáter
Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

In a pot over medium-high heat, add oil.
When the oil is hot enough, add chicken and sear for about 3-5 minutes on each side. Remove from the pot and transfer to a plate. Set aside.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Next, add onions and cook until translucent.
Drop the chunks of potatoes and carrots, and the sliced bell peppers. Just stir fry them for a few minutes.
Put back the seared chicken to the pot.
Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, chicken cubes, soy sauce, liquid seasoning (if using) and water. Stir to mix everything.
Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes or until veggies and chicken are cooked.
Season with salt and pepper.
Serve with white rice.