Traditional & Quick Afritada Recipe

In case you missed it, we recently made a huge move from California to Texas. So far we love it! The kids are thriving in school, active in many sports, and meeting some great friends! When people ask us if we miss it, we always say that we just miss the people. We especially miss our family!

Recently, we have really missed my mother in laws cooking. My mother in law is an amazing cook and everything she makes is so delicious, fills our hearts & warms our bellies. Fun Fact: My in-laws moved to the US from the Philippines in their late 20’s. Embarrassing fact: I have never tried Filipino food until I met her almost 15 years ago.

One of my favorite dishes that she makes is, Afritada!

Afritada is a traditional Filipino stew that can be made with chicken or beef. It’s simmered with vegetables and served over rice. It’s a wonderful, comforting dish. The leftovers are even better and make a great lunch the next day. This was my first time making it and my husband says I did a great job!

I agree that it did taste similar but it just hits different when Sonia (my mother-in-law) makes it. But this is as close as I can get being here in Texas, so I will take it.

There are 2 different recipes you can follow to make this stew. 1 way is a shortcut if you don’t have a ton of time or can’t find all of the listed ingredients.

I also used my Caraway Pans while making this & it heated so evenly and clean up was a BREEZE.

Here Is The Traditional Afritada Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken (mix of thighs and drumsticks)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 cup of cold water (slurry)
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 large potato, cubed
• 2 medium carrots, cubed
• 1 red bell pepper, cubed
• 1/2 cup green peas

Instructions:

1. Marinate chicken pieces in soy sauce and lemon juice for half an hour. Drain chicken from the marinade.
2. In a heavy pan, heat oil, add in chicken pieces and sauté for a few minutes until meat is nicely browned and no longer pink.
3. Add in onions and Sauté for 4 minutes or until onions are soft. Add in garlic and cook for another minute or until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add tomato sauce and water and stir to combine. Let the mixture boil and then reduce the heat. Cover and let simmer, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes.
5. Add carrots, red bell pepper, and potatoes; cover and cook for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
6. Taste and adjust salt and pepper, to taste.
7. Add in cornstarch slurry and bring to a boil. Once at a boil, lower the heat to low and add in green peas.
8. Serve with steamed rice and enjoy the belly comforting meal!

Here Is The Quick Afritada Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken OR chunks of pot roast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 cup of cold water (slurry)
• 1 packet of Mama Sita’s Caldereta Sauce Mix (see photo below)
• 1 cup chicken or beef stock
• 1 large potato, cubed
• 2 medium carrots, cubed
• 1 red bell pepper, cubed
• 1/2 cup green peas

Instructions:

Season protein with salt and pepper

1. In a heavy pan, heat oil and add in chicken/ pot roast pieces and sauté for a few minutes until meat is nicely browned on both sides.
2. Add in garlic and cook for about a minute or until fragrant.
3. Sprinkle in seasoning packet
4. Add in stock, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes.
5. Add carrots, red bell pepper, and potatoes; cover and cook for another 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
6. Add in cornstarch slurry and bring to a boil. This will make it really saucy and somewhat thicker.
7. Once at a boil, lower the heat to low and add in green peas.
8. Serve with steamed rice and enjoy the belly comforting meal!

Let me know what you think about the recipe & if you try it, don’t forget to tag me on instagram @thelunchboxseries and follow me there for more yummy recipes! Also, don’t forget to get your Caraway Pans, discount code expires 10/24.