Chicken Molido is a traditional Filipino recipe often served at gatherings and celebrations. The dish shares its name with the Spanish word meaning ‘to soften,’ referring to the tenderization of chicken meat.
Although Chicken Molido can be made with different meats like beef, pork, and fish, the most popular version in Filipino households is chicken.
What Is Chicken Molido?
Chicken Molido is a slow-cooked chicken dish that originated from the province of Pampanga in Luzon, Philippines. The taste is best described as similar to the American-style barbecue chicken minus the sauce but more spices.
How To Make Chicken Molido?
Ingredients
- 1-kilo chicken breast, cut into small cubes
- ½ cup soy sauce (or substitute with tomato sauce)
- 1/3 cup vinegar (or cover with apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons garlic-flavored oil (or substitute with minced garlic)
Directions
Step 1: Marinate the chicken in soy sauce, vinegar, and onion. Once done, heat the oil in a wok. Fry the chicken until golden brown and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess fat.
Step 2: Add butter and sauté garlic until golden brown in the same wok. Now add the chicken back to the wok. Sauté for 15 minutes until the meat is cooked through and no longer pink in color.
Step 3: Lastly, add soy sauce, vinegar, and onion into the wok. Stir to mix well. Simmer for about a minute before serving.
Nutrition Fact
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 217.2 |
| Total Fat | 12.9 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5.0 g |
| Cholesterol | 111 mg |
| Sodium | 897 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 2.3 g |
| Sugars | 2.2 g |
| Protein | 19g |
6 Essential Healthy Nutrition of Chicken Molido
1. Lean Protein
Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein. It is commonly known for its low-fat content and high-quality nutritional value, highly recommended for individuals suffering from obesity or overweight.
Chicken breast is also a good source of vitamin B6 and contains essential amino acids that aid in proper muscle development and heart function. Thus, it is no wonder why Chicken Molido has become a favorite dish among Filipinos, known to be non-vegetarians.
2. Fiber
Chicken also provides a good amount of fiber, essential for maintaining digestive health. Fiber aids in preventing the absorption of cholesterol, the main culprit behind heart diseases, thus contributing to healthy long-term health.
The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming at least 36g of fiber daily for adults.
3. Vitamins
One serving of Chicken Molido has 10% of your daily Vitamin B-12 requirement and provides you with half your daily folate intake (1.5mg/day). Vitamin B-12 is important for producing red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen via hemoglobin in your body.
Meanwhile, folate helps in reducing homocysteine levels, an indicator of heart health.
4. Minerals
Chicken is also rich in minerals like phosphorus and zinc. Phosphorus is needed to produce energy from food and can be found in almost all organ tissues and fluids in our body, including the bones and teeth.
Zinc helps stimulate the production of testosterone, which is paramount for proper reproductive system development.
5. Potassium
Besides promoting tooth and nerve health, potassium aids in muscle contraction by helping to regulate heart rate and blood pressure. The body also needs potassium for proper kidney function and maintenance of fluid balance.
Chicken is an excellent source of potassium, making it a great food choice for those with adequate kidney function. This gives the chicken its distinctive ‘molido’ taste that Filipinos are familiar with.
6. Thiamin
Thiamin is an essential B-vitamin that helps in releasing energy from carbohydrates. This B vitamin is also needed to maintain a healthy nervous system and plays an important role in developing cells and tissues. One serving of Chicken Molido provides 0.3mg of Thiamin, which is 11% of your daily requirement.
How Healthy Is Chicken Molido?
Chicken Molido provides plenty of benefits to individuals looking for some variation to their current diet. There is no denying that the dish is delicious, with its unique taste and addictive meat.
Chicken Molido is also relatively low in fat, providing 7% of your daily requirements when served with rice (1 cup). It has a moderate amount of carbohydrates and protein, making it a great food choice for bodybuilders or athletes.
Can Chicken Molido Good For Kids?
Yes, chicken molido is good for kids; that’s why some parents make this for their Lil ones. This healthy food is low in cholesterol and recommended for children above 2.
The dish can be a great way to introduce your child to different Filipino dishes without worrying about the health risks involved.
Chicken is also a great source of protein, which helps in the proper growth and development of the body.
How Can Store Chicken Molido?
Chicken molido can be stored in the refrigerator for one week. You can also freeze the leftovers and reheat them when you want to eat again. don’t forget to line your plate with paper towels before storing them in the fridge or freezer.
Have Any Side Effects Of Chicken Molido?
This dish is safe to consume for most individuals. However, it may cause gastric discomfort or diarrhea in people who are more sensitive to chicken.
This may also be due to Ajinomoto, a common condiment used in most Filipino dishes like pancit canton and adobo.
Ajinomoto is used as a flavor enhancer, so those who have adverse reactions should be cautious when consuming the word.
Bottom Line
Chicken molido is a great dish to try if you are looking for a new way to prepare your chicken. It offers plenty of nutritional value and is easy to prepare, making it a great meal for not having time to cook.
Chicken molido is also budget-friendly, as its main ingredients are relatively cheap and can be found in almost all supermarkets.
