Chicken Afritada Recipe: Filipino Chicken Stew with Potatoes and Carrots

When you want a hearty Filipino meal, Chicken Afritada is a recipe worth keeping. This classic Filipino chicken stew is made with tender chicken simmered in tomato sauce with potatoes, carrots, green peas, and bell pepper. The sauce is savory, slightly tangy and comforting over hot rice.

Chicken Afritada, also called Afritadang Manok, is one of those dishes that tastes even better when everyone gathers around the table. It uses affordable ingredients, requires only one main pan, and does not involve complicated techniques. Sauté the aromatics, brown the chicken, build the tomato sauce, then let everything simmer until tender.

This version uses tomato sauce and tomato paste for deeper tomato flavor, while fish sauce gives the stew a distinctly Filipino savory taste. Whether you are cooking for a family dinner or preparing food for a handaan, this Chicken Afritada is sure to be a hit.

Watch how to cook Chicken Afritada

What Is Chicken Afritada?

Chicken Afritada is a Filipino stew traditionally prepared with chicken and vegetables cooked in a tomato-based sauce. The most common vegetables are potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers, while green peas are often added for color and sweetness.

The dish is commonly associated with Spanish influence on Filipino cuisine. The name is related to “fritada,” referring to frying, which fits the cooking process because the chicken and aromatics are sautéed before the stew is simmered.

Unlike some other Filipino tomato-based dishes, Afritada does not usually rely on liver or liver spread. That gives the sauce a lighter, cleaner tomato flavor while allowing the chicken and vegetables to stand out.

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Afritada vs. Menudo vs. Caldereta

Because they all feature tomato-based sauces and vegetables, Afritada is sometimes confused with Filipino menudo and caldereta. There are important differences.

Afritada commonly uses larger, bone-in chicken pieces and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and bell pepper. Menudo traditionally uses smaller pieces of meat and often includes liver. Caldereta is usually richer and more strongly flavored, commonly featuring liver spread and sometimes cheese or other additions.

Family variations are common, but this Chicken Afritada stands out with tender chicken, vegetables, and savory tomato sauce.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This easy Chicken Afritada recipe is perfect for busy home cooks because most of the work happens in one pot. Once the chicken has been browned and the sauce is simmering, you can simply let the heat do the rest.

It is also perfect for sharing with family. The potatoes and carrots make the stew hearty, while the green peas and bell pepper add color and freshness.

Chicken thighs, legs, and wings work especially well because they stay juicy during simmering and absorb the tomato sauce beautifully. Adjust the seasoning to suit your family.

Ingredients

• 1 kilogram chicken, cut into serving pieces
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 medium potatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 small carrot, cut into wedges
• 1 chicken broth cube, optional
• 1 cup water or chicken broth
• 1/3 cup green peas
• 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into squares
• Oil, for sautéing

How to Cook Chicken Afritada

1. Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables

Cut the chicken into serving pieces. Peel the potatoes and carrot, then cut them into similarly sized wedges so they cook evenly. Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and cut the bell pepper into squares.

Preparing everything first makes cooking easier.

2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic

Heat a little oil in a large pan or pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and fragrant. Add the minced garlic and cook briefly, stirring constantly so it does not burn.

This creates a flavorful aromatic base.

3. Brown the Chicken

Add the chicken pieces to the pan. Sauté and turn them occasionally until the outside changes from pink to lightly browned.

The chicken does not need to be fully cooked. Browning gives the stew more flavor and helps the chicken hold its texture.

4. Season the Chicken

Add the black pepper and fish sauce. Stir well to coat the chicken. Let the mixture cook for about three minutes.

Allowing the fish sauce to cook briefly helps its aroma mellow while leaving behind its savory flavor. Since fish sauce is salty, wait until later before adding additional salt.

5. Build the Tomato Sauce

Add the tomato paste and chicken broth cube, if using. Stir until the tomato paste is blended into the chicken and the broth cube has dissolved.

Pour in the water or chicken broth. Stir, cover the pot, and simmer over medium-low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.

If you are using chicken broth instead of water, you can skip the broth cube.

6. Add the Tomato Sauce and Vegetables

Pour in the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Add the potatoes and carrots. Cover the pot again and continue simmering until the vegetables are tender but not falling apart.

If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water or broth.

7. Finish with Peas and Bell Pepper

Once the potatoes and carrots are tender, add the green peas and bell pepper. Stir gently and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning. You can add a little more fish sauce or salt if needed. If the tomato sauce tastes too tangy for your preference, a small amount of sugar can help balance the acidity.

Once everything is cooked and the sauce has reached your preferred consistency, turn off the heat.

Tips for the Best Chicken Afritada

For the juiciest Afritadang Manok, use bone-in chicken thighs, legs, or wings. Chicken breast can also be used, but it can become dry if simmered for too long.

Do not rush the browning step. Sautéing the chicken until lightly golden adds another layer of flavor to the finished stew.

Cut the potatoes and carrots into similar sizes. This helps them cook at roughly the same time. Avoid cutting them too small because they can become mushy while the chicken finishes cooking.

For a more intense tomato flavor, use both tomato sauce and tomato paste as written in this recipe. The paste adds concentrated tomato flavor and helps give the sauce a richer consistency.

You can also replace the water and broth cube with homemade or store-bought chicken broth. This gives the stew deeper flavor.

Variations

Chicken Afritada is easy to customize. Some Filipino families add sliced hotdogs for a slightly sweeter, party-style version. Others add extra peas, corn, or different vegetables depending on what is available.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer the stew uncovered for a few extra minutes near the end of cooking. For a saucier version that is perfect for spooning over rice, add a little more broth or water.

Afritada can also be made with pork or beef, with cooking time adjusted for the meat.

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Storage and Reheating

Allow leftover Chicken Afritada to cool slightly before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate and enjoy within a few days.

To reheat, place the desired amount in a pan over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened in the refrigerator. Stir occasionally and heat until the chicken and sauce are thoroughly warmed.

The flavors become even better after resting, making leftovers delicious with steamed rice.

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Serving Suggestions

The best way to serve Chicken Afritada is with hot, steamed rice. Spoon the tomato sauce over the rice and make sure every plate gets chicken, potatoes, carrots, peas, and bell pepper.

For a Filipino family feast, serve it alongside fried chicken, lumpia, pancit, or vegetables. A fresh side salad or sliced tomatoes also adds a refreshing contrast.

Conclusion

This Chicken Afritada recipe is proof that a comforting Filipino meal does not have to be complicated. With tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and a rich tomato sauce, it brings together simple ingredients in a dish that feels hearty and satisfying.

Whether you call it Chicken Afritada or Afritadang Manok, this classic Filipino stew is a wonderful addition to your regular meal rotation. Serve it with steaming rice, gather everyone around the table, and enjoy a homemade dish that tastes like pure Filipino comfort food.

Recipe Notes

• Chicken thighs, legs, and wings are recommended because they stay juicy during the longer simmering time.
• Chicken breast may also be used, but avoid overcooking it because it can become dry.
• If you do not have tomato paste, use 4 to 5 fresh tomatoes. Chop and sauté them together with the onion and garlic.
• You may replace the water and chicken broth cube with 1 cup chicken broth
• Taste the sauce before adding extra salt because fish sauce and the broth cube are already salty.
• For a slightly sweeter Filipino-style version, add a small amount of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomato sauce.
• For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for a few additional minutes.