Are you looking for a unique and delicious low-carb Asian snack? Look no further than this flavorful Chicken Feet Adobo recipe. Made with fried chicken feet, garlic, Thai chili peppers, and a rich adobo sauce, this dish is a savory treat that you won’t be able to resist. The adobo sauce is made with soy sauce or coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt, creating a perfect balance of flavors. So, let’s dive in and discover how to make this delicious snack!
Spicy Chicken Feet: A Surprisingly Tasty Delicacy
If you’ve ever wondered if you can eat chicken feet, here’s your official permission to go for it. Chicken feet aren’t just great for bone broth; they can also be nibbled on like chicken wings. In fact, chicken feet are considered a traditional food, packed with excellent health benefits, mainly in the form of collagen. Regular consumption of chicken feet may help reduce joint pain, improve skin health, and prevent bone loss.[^1]
The Origins of Adobo: A Filipino Classic
Now, you’ve probably heard of adobo chicken or pork, but have you ever wondered what adobo actually is? Adobo is a popular cooking technique that originated in the Philippines. It typically consists of pantry basics like vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns.[^2] There are limitless variations of this Filipino classic, and one of them is the delicious chicken feet adobo.
Embrace the Asian Delicacy: Chicken Feet Adobo
In Asian cultures, wasting food is not an option. What may seem unfashionable to us is a popular delicacy known as adidas to the Filipinos, mainly because of the three claws on a chicken foot.[^3] So, if you’re ready to venture and try a chicken feet recipe, this flavorful Filipino-style chicken feet adobo is worth a shot. Mix and match it with your favorite sides or enjoy it as a healthy snack or appetizer.
How to Make Chicken Feet Adobo: A Simple Process
Making Chicken Feet Adobo is surprisingly easy. Forget about complicated recipes with numerous steps; this recipe simplifies the process, allowing you to enjoy the deliciousness without hassle.
Chicken Feet Adobo Ingredients
To make Chicken Feet Adobo, all you need are a few basic ingredients, including:
- Cooking oil: Use a cooking fat with a high smoke point, such as beef tallow, pork lard, or chicken schmalz. Avocado oil is also a great option.
- Chicken feet: Make sure they are cleaned and nails trimmed. You can find them in ethnic stores like Asian markets or Mexican grocery stores.
- Garlic
- Thai chili peppers: Dried or fresh, you can also substitute them with one teaspoon of Thai chili garlic sauce.
- Soy sauce: You can use traditional soy sauce, coconut aminos, tamari, or other soy sauce alternatives.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Seasonings: Bay leaves, whole black peppercorns, and salt.
Additionally, you will need water to gently stew the chicken feet.
Step-By-Step Directions
Follow these simple directions, and you can’t go wrong!
- Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken feet until golden brown. You may need to do this in batches and flip them over halfway through cooking time.
- Once done, remove the chicken feet from oil and set them aside. Discard the cooking oil after cooking.
- Pour out the oil, reserving about 2 tablespoons of the used oil. Mince garlic and finely chop Thai chilis. Saute garlic and chili in the reserved oil.
- Add the chicken feet, soy sauce or alternative of choice, water, and vinegar to the garlic chili mixture. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat.
- Season with bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt. Stir well and simmer for about 45 minutes until the chicken feet are tender and the skin falls off the bone. Add a little bit of water if needed.
- Remove from heat, plate, and serve hot. Drizzle the spicy adobo sauce over the cooked chicken feet.
- You can serve this delicious dish with a side of cauliflower rice or regular rice if you’re not on a ketogenic diet.
How to Enjoy Chicken Feet: Embrace the Tradition
Chicken feet are considered a delicacy in Asian countries. To fully enjoy this unique snack, it’s best to eat them the traditional way, using chopsticks or your hands. Avoid using forks and knives as they don’t allow you to manipulate the chicken feet as quickly.
Similar to eating chicken wings, start by biting at the joint and sucking the meat, skin, and sauce off the bone in your mouth. Spit out the bone discreetly into a bowl, move on to the next joint, and repeat. The meatiest part of the chicken foot is the pad, so make sure to gnaw around the bone to get to the savory meat. And don’t forget to slather the chicken feet in the delicious adobo sauce before taking a bite!
Where to Buy Chicken Feet: Seek Out International Markets
Chicken feet may not be as popular as other cuts of meat, but you can find them in local international markets like Asian or Mexican grocery stores. The Whole Foods meat counter may also have organic chicken feet, and checking your local farmer’s market for meat vendors is also worth a shot. If you prefer shopping online, consider buying directly from regenerative farmers like White Oak Pastures.
Chicken Feet Adobo Calories and Nutrition: A Nourishing Snack
This recipe yields approximately four 2-piece servings of Chicken Feet Adobo. Each serving contains 302 calories, 18g of protein, 24g of fat, and 2g of total carbs, with 2g net carbs.[^7] Please note that these values may vary depending on the size and weight of the chicken feet and any substitutions you make.
Before you go, make sure to check out the FAQs section below for more information about this delicious dish. And remember, when it comes to cooking and exploring new flavors, the possibilities are endless!
Check out more exciting recipes and food inspiration on Ekilove.
Adobo Chicken Feet FAQ
Q: Can I use a different type of oil for frying the chicken feet?
Yes, you can use other cooking fats like avocado oil or olive oil. However, it’s best to avoid low-quality vegetable oils like corn oil and canola oil, as they may increase inflammation in the body.[^4][^5]
Q: Can I modify this recipe to fit my dietary needs?
Absolutely! You can adapt this recipe to suit different diets. For example, if you’re following a keto diet, use a keto-friendly soy sauce alternative. If you’re on a paleo diet, substitute coconut aminos for soy sauce. There are plenty of ways to make this recipe work for you.
Q: How can I best store and reheat the leftovers?
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When reheating, gently warm them in a pot or microwave until heated through. Enjoy!
More Nose-to-Tail Odd Bit Recipes
If you’re interested in exploring other nose-to-tail recipes, here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Slow cooker beef heart
- Organ meat stew
- Stewed chicken gizzard
- Dirty Rice with Chicken Livers
- Flourless Beef Liver
- Easy Fish Stock Recipe
- Chicken Liver Pate
Have fun experimenting with these unique and flavorful dishes!
[^1]: Source: Health Benefits of Chicken Feet
[^2]: Source: Origins of Adobo
[^3]: Source: Asian Delicacies: Chicken Feet
[^4]: Source: The Dangers of Vegetable Oils
[^5]: Source: Monosaturated Fats for Cooking
[^7]: Source: Chicken Feet Adobo Nutrition
