Oven-Roasted Chicken Adobo

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°. Pat chicken thighs dry, then season very lightly all over with seasoning salt (or kosher salt and pepper). Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Arrange chicken, skin side down, in pan and cook until deeply browned underneath, 8–10 minutes. Turn chicken over and cook until lightly browned on the other side, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a roasting dish just large enough to fit chicken in a single layer and arrange skin side up; set aside. Pour out and discard all but 2 Tbsp. chicken fat from the pan.

Step 2

Set skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden and onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add vinegar, scraping up any browned bits stuck to bottom of skillet with a wooden spoon, then add soy sauce, liquid seasoning, bay leaves, ½ tsp. cracked pepper, and ½ cup water. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat and pour over reserved chicken in baking dish (chicken should be mostly covered with only skin left exposed).

Step 3

Bake chicken, adding a splash or so of water if dish is looking dry at any point, until meat is almost falling off the bone, 60–75 minutes.

Step 4

Divide rice among plates and nestle chicken thighs alongside, dividing evenly. Serve with laing.