Chicken Bicol Express

Chicken Bicol Express

Chicken Bicol Express

Bicol Express is named from a passenger train that travels from Manila to the Northern Bicol region of the Philippines, known for its spicy cuisine. Traditionally, this dish uses pork shoulder. This recipe uses chicken thighs; cutting down on the calories and the cooking time. This chicken is sautéed with garlic and onions, then simmered in coconut milk and Thai chilies. Mild finger chilies are added at the last couple of minutes of cooking time. This dish reminds me a lot of chicken ala king, which I grew up on; just with lots of spice. Serve with steamed rice.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: Chicken, Filipino, main course, Southeast Asian
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp shrimp paste
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • 10 thai chilies finely chopped
  • 2 cups finger chilies (or shishito peppers) diced
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat up cooking oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Sauté the onions and garlic for 3 minutes.
    Filipino, main course, chicken
  • Add in the chicken. Cook for 8 minutes.
    Filipino, main course, chicken
  • Stir in the shrimp paste, making sure that all of the chicken gets coated in it. Sauté for 2 minutes.
    Filipino, main course, chicken
  • Pour in the coconut milk and Thai chilies. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.
  • Uncover. Stir in the ginger chilies. Cook for 2 minutes.
    Filipino, main course, chicken
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    Filipino, main course, chicken
Filipino, main course, chicken
Serve with steamed rice.