Tinolang Manok is a comforting Filipino chicken soup made with tender drumsticks, ginger, sayote or green papaya, and leafy greens like malunggay or dahon sili. The broth is light yet flavorful, infused with the warmth of ginger, and perfect for chilly days or when you're feeling under the weather.
1 medium-sized sayote (chayote), peeled and sliced
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced
1 onion, sliced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
4 cups of water
1 cup malunggay (moringa) leaves
1 bunch dahon sili (pepper leaves)
2 tablespoons fish sauce (patis)
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking oil
Instructions
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken drumsticks and sear them until they are lightly browned on all sides. Remove the chicken and set aside.
In the same pot, using the rendered chicken fat and a bit more oil if needed, add the sliced ginger, onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until the garlic is golden brown and the onions are translucent and fragrant.
Return the seared chicken to the pot. Pour in 4 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer.
Add the malunggay (moringa) leaves to the pot early in the simmering process to ensure their nutrients are fully infused into the broth.
Add the peeled and sliced sayote (chayote) to the pot. Cook until the sayote is tender but not mushy, which should take about 10 minutes.
Add the bunch of dahoon sili (pepper leaves) to the soup. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the leaves are wilted and have imparted their flavor to the broth.
Stir in 2 tablespoons of fish sauce (patis) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as necessary to ensure the flavors are balanced.
Ladle the hot Tinolang Manok into bowls and serve immediately. This dish is often enjoyed with steamed rice on the side.
Video
Notes
Note 1: Use chicken drumsticks for Tinolang Manok to enhance the flavor and add richness to the broth. Simmering the drumsticks releases natural nutrients, eliminating the need for chicken stock or artificial flavorings.Note 2: For a sweeter, more balanced flavor, opt for sayote over papaya. However, if using unripe papaya, expect a mild sweetness with a hint of bitterness, which also complements the dish well.