Tinola
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 small onion thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 pieces fresh ginger thumb-sized
- 1 whole chicken 3 to 4 pounds and cut into serving pieces
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 5 cups of water
- 1 small green papaya peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-inch wedges
- 1 bunch of fresh spinach leaves with stems trimmed
- Salt add to taste
- Pepper add to taste
Instructions
- Start by heating a pot over medium heat and adding the canola oil. Toss in the sliced onions, minced garlic, and ginger. Cook until they become soft and fragrant.
- Now, it’s time to add the chicken pieces. Cook them for about 5 to 7 minutes or until they start to change color and the juices run clear.
- Pour in the fish sauce and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. This will give the dish that wonderful Filipino flavor.
- Next, add the water and bring it to a boil. As it starts to simmer, you’ll notice some scum floating on top—just skim that off. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let it all simmer for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken is perfectly cooked through.
- Time to introduce the green papaya! Add those 2-inch wedges to the pot and let them cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, just until they’re tender yet crisp.
- Season your Chicken Tinola with salt and pepper to taste. Be sure to adjust the flavors to your liking!
- Lastly, add the fresh spinach leaves, gently pushing them down into the flavorful broth. Cook until they just wilt.
Details for my Tinola Recipe
Tinola Recipe – Have you ever had a craving for some chicken soup or other stew dishes? There is a range of options to help with this in Filipino cuisine. If you are looking for something along the lines of a comfort dish, tinola is one dish to try. Tinola is a Filipino chicken soup that typically features a flavorful broth made with chicken, leafy greens, papaya, and ginger, with a distinctive umami flavor thanks to the addition of fish sauce. The dish pairs best with rice and makes for a great soup on cool days.
Other Dishes Like my Tinola Recipe Featuring Chicken
In addition to tinola, there are a range of other soup/stew dishes in Filipino cuisine that can feature chicken as the main protein. One dish that is similar to tinola is binakol. Binakol is a Filipino chicken soup from the Western Visayas region. It uses coconut water as a base, giving it a sweet and fragrant touch. The name “binakol” comes from the Hiligaynon word “bakol,” which means “to spank,” as the chicken is gently pounded to tenderize it and infuse it with coconut flavor.
Another soup/stew dish featuring chicken with vegetables is chicken menudo. Typically, menudo features pork and sliced liver in tomato sauce with carrots and potatoes. However, chicken can be a healthier alternative. The dish usually combines garlic, onions, tomatoes, the protein, cooked with diced potatoes, raisins, carrots, green bell peppers, and soy sauce or vinegar. Everything is mixed in tomato sauce and seasoned with salt and pepper.
If you want chicken to be the star of the soup/stew dish, you should try halang halang. What is halang halang? Simply put, it is a spicy chicken stew. The dish combines rich chicken with sweet coconut milk, tangy lemongrass, and spicy chili peppers, creating a boldly flavorful experience.
Other Filipino Dishes Featuring Chicken
Aside from soup, there is a range of classic Filipino dishes that can feature chicken. An example of this is chicken sisig. Sisig is a sizzling plate dish made with pork, chilis, and egg. It can be spicy or egg-free based on your preference. Chicken sisig is a healthier option, where you can choose to use chicken liver or breast.
For something familiar yet different, you should try Filipino chicken macaroni salad. Filipino macaroni salad usually contains chicken, onions, carrots, and bell peppers. What sets it apart is the addition of raisins and pineapple tidbits. This classic combination can be customized with different variations.
Outside of dishes, there are also Filipino snacks that feature chicken. One such snack is proben. Proben is fried chicken skin and gizzards. It is a street snack that’s usually coated in cornstarch or flour, and deep-fried. The snack is often served on a bamboo skewer and goes well with vinegar.
Additional Notes for a Tinola Recipe
When making Chicken Tinola, cut the chicken into even pieces for consistent cooking. While boneless chicken works, bone-in parts offer better flavor. You can use chayote, potatoes, or upo as substitutes for green papaya, and Malunggay or chili leaves for a more traditional twist. To store leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for 2 months. When reheating, use a saucepan and ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety and taste.
If you want to try other soup/stew dishes, check out options like Balbacua, Cansi, and Ginisang Sayote. Other options include Nilaga and Dinengdeng.
