Filipino Chicken Adobo Kebabs with Sriracha Ketchup

July 11, 2014

Filipino Chicken Adobo Kebabs with Sriracha Ketchup
Generally, I’m a friendly guy, but I’ve been told I look angry when I’m at the gym (even though I swear, I'm the nicest person ever.)
Part of me likes getting grumpy at the gym because it fuels a better workout. But what really happens is that I just put my ipod in, blast my own music, tune out and on focus do what I have to do.
For real, I’m not mad. I’m just concentrating.
I might have music in my ears, but I’m just rocking a playlist, not creating an invisible shield that says “Don’t talk to me!”
If you ever smile at me and say “Hi”, I will smile and say “Hi” back. I promise.

Filipino Chicken Adobo Kebabs with Sriracha Ketchup


Then of course, there are things that are guaranteed to irritate me.
Like people neglecting to wipe their sweat off the equipment they used. I don’t mean to be fussy, it’s really about hygiene and respect for the others.
I sweat a lot when I workout, but I make sure to wipe my face and whatever equipment I’m using before, during and after.
Your sweat should not touch other person under any circumstances. I’m looking at you Mr. I’m-running-on-the-treadmill-and-sweating-within-a-100-mile-radius.

Filipino Chicken Adobo Kebabs with Sriracha Ketchup


Another thing that annoys me is when people are chilling in the stretching area talking to each other instead of working out, when you actually need to stretch or do some core work.
I get that a gym is a social setting, full of great opportunity to meet new people, to make new friends and earn a place among your peers; but can you do it while working out/stretching?
If you’re too tired, you can always go to the juice bar. That’s the perfect spot to chat.
My friend Alex always grumbles about those girls that sit on the stationary bikes reading magazines and cycle so slowly they are getting less exercise than if they were knitting.
He also gets annoyed when someone someone stands by the machine he’s using gawping at him (i.e., catching flies) whilst he finishes his sets. He finds it incredibly off-putting and once he almost started a fight.
Alex is not the most patient or forgiving person in the world though. His opinions are not that relevant, to be honest.

Filipino Chicken Adobo Kebabs with Sriracha Ketchup


Okay, enough about gym annoyances, let’s talk about good food.
Better yet, good food to eat after a grueling workout.
For instance, these Filipino Chicken Adobo Kebabs are on the awesome side if you ask me.
The marinade is so good you'll want to use it on everything. It really does all the heavy lifting here, it has a ton of flavor and a little bit of heat.
The aroma of browning, marinade-saturated chicken will drive you crazy. True story.
And the Sriracha ketchup is truly amazing, like really amazing. I don’t want to talk about it, because it’s so good you have to try it. Period.

Filipino Chicken Adobo Kebabs with Sriracha KetchupFilipino Chicken Adobo Kebabs with Sriracha Ketchup                               Print this recipe!

Ingredients

Serves 4

Filipino Chicken Adobo Kebabs

1 lb / 453 gr free-range organic chicken breast, cut into 1½-inch chunks
½ cup / 125 ml water
¼ cup / 60 ml apple cider vinegar (or raw coconut vinegar)
2 tablespoons organic wheat-free soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
1 tablespoon fish sauce (I used Red Boat)
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ tablespoon raw organic honey
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 whole anise pods
1 bay leaf
Chopped cilantro to serve

Sriracha ketchup

8 tablespoons ketchup (make your own ketchup with this recipe)
2 tablespoons Sriracha (make your own Sriracha with this recipe)
1 tablespoon raw organic honey
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon white vinegar (or rice vinegar)

Directions

In a bowl combine water, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, red pepper flakes, black peppercorns, anise pods and bay leaf. Set aside.
In a shallow sealable container or in a large Ziploc bag, combine chicken chunks and marinade.
Cover (or seal) and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (marinate overnight for fullest flavor.)
In the meantime make Sriracha ketchup. In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, sriracha, honey, lime juice, cilantro, and vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside.
Remove the chicken chunks from the marinade and skewer onto stainless steel skewer (or bamboo sticks that have been soaked in water for 5 minutes).
Heat a grill or a grill pan to medium-high (if you’re using an outdoor grill lightly oil the grates.)
Grill the chicken kebabs until golden brown and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with Sriracha ketchup on the side.

Nutrition facts

One serving (without Sriracha ketchup) yields 234 calories, 9 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs and 33 grams of protein.

28 comments:

  1. Yum. Love finding new chicken recipes. This is perfect for summer.

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  2. The gym drives me crazy, especially when you have to wait for every machine because it's overcrowded! I don't even go anymore (although I do miss lifting) just yoga and hiking these days. These look delish - I have all your chicken skewers on my list to make right away! :)

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    1. During peak hours my gym is the worst, it's a like a club on a Sat night. It's the worst.
      That's why I like to go late at night, even though it's still pretty crowded I don't have to for machines...

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  3. I sweat ALOT too - so much so that when I sued to workout at a gym (a small neighborhood one sans showers) peeps I knew would ask me when the showers had been installed as I was dripping head to toe - but you are right - sweat must not be shared! And -in my books- these kebabs shouldn't be either - they are just too good! Loving the sweet, spicy, salty and sour marinade!

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    1. No shower? Really? I could never go to a gym like that.
      I'm so sweaty and stinky after I work out, I just need to take a shower. It's non-negotiable.

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  4. Those magazine girls in the stationary bikes hahahaha they get on my nerves too! Most of the time I end up exercising outside so I don't have to put up with these people!
    Wonderrful writing, by the way. You cracked me up with this post!
    And also, you're the official king of all things kebabs! How do you always get them to look so good??? These are going to my bucket list!
    Enjoy your weekend! xx

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  5. haha... i think after reading this post if I ever saw you at the gym {not that I would because we live no where close to each} but if I DID... i would laugh at you .. sit down in the stretching area to talk and then wipe my sweat on the dumbells... hehe... just kidding!! I so agree with all of that. The gym is to workout people... not a social activity!

    These kebabs on the other hand are a total social activity.. would sit and chat about these all night! YUM Mike!

    Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats

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    1. Hehehe Krista, I would probably have to start a brawl fight with you if you'd ever to that to me...kidding!
      These kebabs are a indeed a social activity but let's not forget that it's impolite to talk with your mouth full. So, first the eating, then the chatting. ;)

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  6. Hi Mike, you have the best chicken recipes...you should write a book, love this combination!

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    1. Thanks Cheri, I don't know about writing a book but I'll think about it!

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  7. This is perfect summer eats. Loving that marinade and of course sriracha ketchup is dope. Gonna need to grill this up at some point this summer! Hahaha of course you look angry when you work out. That's the way the wolfpack gets in the zone!

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    1. I'm telling you man, I give nasty looks and I growl a lot but it doesn't always work.
      Once, I even tried marking my territory but as I lifted the leg somebody had called security on me and I got kicked out of the gym. Can you believe it? Some people...

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  8. This looks mouthwatering Mike, can't wait to try it!

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  9. I've been told I look angry when I'm at the gym too! Haha. I guess it just happens to all of us nice people. Loving the recipe. Definitely trying these soon! :)

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    1. We should found the club of angry working out people! How that sounds?

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  10. Hah! Love this post. Someone should really start a blog devoted to gym annoyances. I have times where I'm actually in a bad mood and it shows, and times where I'm just focused and it looks like I'm in a bad mood (resting b*tch face, I think it's called?), so don't sweat it! This looks like a great, high protein meal to come home to though! You are the master and commander and kebabs! :-)

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    1. I like how "Master and Commander of Kebabs" sounds! :)

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  11. Yum! these kebabs look delicious and that sauce i bet tastes incredible. definitely adding this recipe to my weekly meal planning. thanks for sharing a great recipe!

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  12. I don't exercise in gyms anymore, using the P90X systems for five years in the comfort of my home, and running outside. But, before this phase I was a member of the YMCA for 12 straight years. You know what bothers me? Ladies that do bicep curls with 2 pound weights...C'mon! Grab a decent weight, one that requires actual WORK from the fibers of your muscles, for heaven's sake!

    sweat on the machines, it's disgusting. Unfortunately many people just walk away and do nothing about it. I am glad I don't have to deal with any of it anymore.....

    (love the recipe, sorry that I concentrated on ranting instead... ;-)

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    1. You're just like my sis, she's a P90X devotee as well (with some pilates on the side). She really loves it and swears she's never ever going back to the gym.
      And don't worry about the ranting, it feels good to grumble sometimes!

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  13. I totally agree about your gym annoyances, that's why I'm keeping to Bikram yoga :) It feels so safe to have my own mat!

    That Sriracha ketchup looks very nice, will give it a try.

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    1. You should try have me as neighbor during Bikram yoga. I sweat so much my nickname is "waterfall". For real. I need 3 towels, and after class my mat is so soaked I have to be careful not to squeeze it, otherwise I just pour sweat all over the studio. I know, gross... ;)

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  14. looks delicious, my mothers birthday is coming and i will definitely try this out :)

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  15. Hahaha! This post TOTALLY resonated with me, Mike. My wife and I go to the gym several mornings a week, and I have the same grumps as you do. Apparently I look angry when I'm really trying to get over a hump. I'm not actually angry. Well, most of the time. And don't even get me started on the guys who sweat and don't clean up after themselves. There's one nasty old dude who just thinks its ok to sweat everywhere and then wander off without cleaning up after himself. Really, old dude, really? And then there's the guy who walks around talking to everyone instead of actually working out. Ever since he found out that I'm a food blogger, he has started telling me what he and his wife eat for dinner every night. Really? It's 5:30am and I couldn't care less. I guess some things are the same everywhere...great post, dude!

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