Grilled Adobo Chicken Burritos
A good marinade can make a world of difference! These Grilled Adobo Chicken Burritos are a flavorful way to enjoy the summer grilling season!
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These Grilled Adobo Chicken Burritos could’ve gone several different ways. You see, adobo has several different meanings. Adobo in Mexico is very different than adobo in Puerto Rico. And both are wildly different from adobo in the Phillipines. In Spanish, adobo literally means “sauce.” The Spanish and Mexican styles of adobo reflect this saucy style. Think about those cans of chipotle peppers in adobo. Those chiles and that sauce are used to make smoky, spicy marinades and sauces.
However, jump on a flight from Mexico City out to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and adobo means something entirely different. In Puerto Rico, adobo means a seasoned salt that is sprinkled and/or rubbed on meats before cooking. Different variations of this seasoning blend are widely available in grocery stores. (The basic ingredients of an adobo rub include onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregano and citrus zest.) I’ve actually seen adobo rub in the spices aisle at our local stores. It’s a good, all-purpose blend, and I do recommend keeping a jar on hand for summer grilling. (Shake some on zucchini and then grill it up. Delicious!)
But today’s post focuses on yet another style of adobo: the Filipino style. Well, sorta. In the Phillipines, adobo refers to a cooking style. The ingredients in Filipino adobo recipes are quite different than Spanish versions. In Filipino cuisine, adobo ingredients include soy sauce, bay leaves and vinegar. The combination is a salty and sweet mixture that tastes amazing as a marinade!
Grilled Adobo Chicken Burritos
Grilled Adobo Chicken BurritosWhen it comes to this recipe for Grilled Adobo Chicken Burritos, I started with the Filipino style of adobo, but I took some liberties. Namely, I fired up the grill. In the Phillipines, the chicken would’ve been slow simmered in the sauce and then served over white rice. However, it’s getting warmer outside. And warmer weather means I fire up the grill any chance I get! So instead of using the liquid as a mixture for simmering the chicken, I used it as a marinade instead. Then I removed the chicken, discarded the sauce and grilled those chicken breasts up over an open flame. SO good!
I’m not gonna lie – as I was shredding the chicken for the burritos, I kept pulling off little pieces to eat. The edges of the chicken breasts got nice and crispy, and they had a ton of flavor thanks to the marinade.
In keeping with Filipino adobo, I still served the chicken with white rice…just in burrito form instead. I recognize that this is a combination of several different cooking methods and styles. However, I promise you that these Grilled Adobo Chicken Burritos are delicious! This marinade has become a go-to whenever we want to grill up chicken breasts. The combination of salty, sweet and sour works well in marinade form!
I highly recommend serving this grilled adobo chicken in burrito form, but I’d imagine that shredded chicken could be used in dozens of other ways, too. I hope you enjoy these Grilled Adobo Chicken Burritos as much as we do! They taste even better with a cold beer in hand on the back porch. Trust me.
Did you make these Grilled Chicken Adobo Burritos at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog). I’d love to see your version of this recipe!
Grilled Adobo Chicken Burritos
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- ¾ cup soy sauce
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 3 bay leaves
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
For the Burritos
- 1¾ cups water
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- juice of 2 limes
- ½ cup red onions very thinly sliced
- 1 cup canned black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 large tomato diced
- 4 large burrito-sized flour tortillas
Instructions
For the Chicken
- Using a glass baking dish, combine all of the ingredients except for the chicken (soy sauce, water, vinegar, garlic, pepper, brown sugar and bay leaves); stir until well combined. Add chicken breasts, turning several times to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate for 4-6 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken and grill 3-5 minutes per side, or until chicken is fully cooked. (Note: Discard excess marinade.)
- Remove chicken from grill and let cool. Once cooled, use 2 forks to shred chicken breasts.
For the Burritos
- Using a medium saucepan, add water and place over medium-high heat. Once boiling, add rice, stir and return to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until rice is fully cooked.
- Remove rice from heat and let sit for 5 minutes; fluff rice gently with a fork. In a medium bowl, combine rice, cilantro, lime juice and shredded chicken.
- Heat tortillas according to package instructions. Divide rice mixture evenly onto the center of each tortilla. (Tip: Leave 1½” border on all sides of tortilla.) Top rice with black beans and tomatoes.
- Fold the bottom edge of each tortilla over the filling, tuck in the sides and then roll tightly.
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Will be making this soon can i use mushrooms as am a vegan can i skip tomato as am not a big fan of it i never had burritos before perfect for my office snacks will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
I think you can totally play around with the ingredients here, Ramya! Mushrooms would be a fun addition, although I do think you’d want to keep the rice in there, too. All mushrooms would be a bit much. Have fun with the flavors and make them your own!
Didn’t realize that adobo can mean so many things! I could definitely go for one of these burritos — they look better than Chipotle’s! 😀
Adobo can really be confusing! However, I can absolutely attest for this version – it was done on the grill which is a bit different, but then again I think the grill flavor really adds a whole new level here! This marinade has become a favorite in our house for sure. Thanks, Michelle!
As I’ve mentioned for a couple of times, I’m not the biggest burrito, tacos, etc. fan. But every time you post another awesome idea, I think I’m getting closer to give it a second chance. Who knows, maybe in a couple of years you might finally convert me haha!
(Just wondering…is dulce de leche burrito a thing?)
Ah, I think you’ve just had a bad experience in the past with burritos/tacos/etc. They are just vessels for whatever awesome ingredients you want to add! In this case, the marinated chicken is so flavorful. But dulce de leche burritos? Hmmm. That might be a bit much…haha. Thanks, Ben!
Well isn’t this all confusing?! I haven’t delved into Phillipine cuisine, so I know nothing. It was odd to see soy sauce on the list of ingredients, since I’m used to adobo being a sauce. But goodness these look fabulous. I like that you grilled the chicken..
I hear ya, Mimi – adobo can mean so many different things! I highly recommend this version, though. The grill angle is a bit unique, but the flavors are traditional. And I’ll tell ya – this is some mighty tasty grilled chicken! 🙂
Interesting about all of the meanings of ‘adobo.’ But, by any name, these loaded chicken burritos look totally irresistible, David!
These burritos were delicious, Marissa! And that marinade? It really has become one of our favorites. Thanks!!
I never enjoyed burritos when I tried them here in Mumbai but I fell in love with them when I had them at Dubai. I guess the Mumbai ones were catering to the local taste buds and killed the authentic flavours.
I have seen several adobo recipes but today I learnt how all it differs in each country.
That’s the thing about burritos, Taruna – they are just a vessel for other ingredients and flavors. If those other additions aren’t very good, then the burrito just isn’t good. However, with that said, I can say that this version is mighty tasty! That marinated, grilled chicken has so much flavor!
who would have thought adobo could mean so many different things? either way/anyway your burritos look scrumptious david!
I know! Adobo certainly is a confusing term – you have to look an extra level deeper to figure it out. 🙂 But this version makes for some great marinated, grilled chicken, Sherry!
Stunningly gorgeous!!!
Why thank you very much, sir! 🙂
Hi David,
I’m loving these burritos! They are just what I crave for lunch or dinner right now. The adobo chicken looks perfectly full of flavor! I can’t wait to dive in.
I’m all about the grill lately…it’s been closed up too long with the winter. This marinade makes for some mighty tasty grilled chicken. Shred that chicken into burritos? That’s one heck of a meal right there! Thanks, Kathy!
Lynne and I are big fans of burritos and always looking for different flavours and versions. Saturday nights when I get home from work are when we like to relax eat something fun, which is exactly what these grilled adobo chicken burritos look like. Thanks David!
I highly recommend trying the flavors in these burritos, Neil! The grilled marinated chicken has so much flavor, and then it’s fun to shred that chicken into these burritos. Put it on the list for an upcoming Saturday night!
This recipe looks fantastic. I too, snack on the chicken while I’m shredding it. (I’d like to think everyone does! 😉 I love the combination of flavors here. 🙂 ~Valentina
It’s almost impossible NOT to snack on a bit of shredded chicken! This marinade is fantastic, Valentina. I highly recommend it sometime this summer! 🙂
I guess the Filipino adobo would work well on those burritos too!
You are indeed right, Raymund! The Filipino version of adobo was great for these burritos. In fact, I’m planning on making these again soon!