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Chicken Tocino
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5 from 2 votes

Chicken Tocino Recipe

Enjoy a guilt-free breakfast with chicken tocino. Tenderize and slice chicken, mix with sugar, pineapple juice, salt, pepper, catsup, and cure overnight. Fry or boil and serve with rice and egg.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time11 minutes
Total Time21 minutes
Course: Chicken Recipe
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: chicken tocino, tocinong manok
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 402kcal
Author: Manny

Ingredients

How to Make Chicken Tocino

  • 1/2 kilo boneless chicken breast sliced
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/2 tsp. refined salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato catsup
  • annato powder or red food coloring optional

Instructions

How to make Chicken Tocino:

  • Pound the chicken breast to tenderize. Then slice it into serving pieces or your desired sizes.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine chicken, sugar, pineapple juice, salt, pepper, catsup and annato powder. mix well to combine the meat with the curing mixture.
  • Transfer the chicken with the curing mix in a container with lid or a zip bag. Refrigerate overnight to cure the meat.
  • To cook the chicken tocino, you can fry it straight in the frying pan with at least 4 tablespoons of oil. Fry the tocino for at least 3 minutes on each sides on medium heat or until brown.
  • Or you also boil the tocino with small amount of water with the marinade until the liquid evaporates and the meat is tender. Then add some cooking oil and fry until it caramelized. Serve with fried rice and fried egg for breakfast.

Video

Watch the Video on How to Cook Chicken Tocino:

Notes

Cooking Tips:

Tenderize for Maximum Flavor Absorption

Pounding the chicken before marinating isn't just for texture—it's key to ensuring the meat soaks up all the flavors. By breaking down the muscle fibers, the marinade penetrates deeper, giving you that juicy, flavorful bite in every piece. Don’t skip this step if you want tender chicken tocino that’s bursting with sweet-savory goodness.

Let the Marinade Work Its Magic Overnight

Marinating the chicken tocino overnight allows the flavors to fully develop and infuse the meat. The longer curing time helps balance the sweetness and tanginess while also softening the chicken. If you’re short on time, marinate for at least four hours, but overnight is truly best for rich, delicious flavor.

Cook Low and Slow to Prevent Burning

Because the marinade contains sugar, it’s easy for the tocino to burn if the heat is too high. Always start cooking on medium heat and adjust as needed to achieve a nice caramelization without charring. If you prefer a tender, juicy texture, simmer the chicken in water first before frying, which ensures even cooking and prevents dryness.

Nutrition Notes:

Calorie and other nutrition information is derived from HappyFolks.Com recipe nutrition calculator. The percent daily value (%DV) is based on a daily 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Information:

Amount per Serving:317g, Calories:402kcal, From fat:797,  Total fat:60g, Saturated Fat:1.4g, Trans Fat:0g, Cholesterol: 183mg, Sodium: 698g, Total Carbohydrate: 27g, Dietary Fiber: 1g, Sugars: 24g, Protein: 57g, Vitamin A: 3%, Vitamin C: 6%, Calcium: 2%, Iron: 6%