Pinaupong Manok
Chicken "Sitting" on a Bed of Flavorful Vegetables
About This Recipe
Pinaupong Manok literally means "seated chicken" - and that's exactly how it's cooked. A whole chicken is positioned upright on a bed of vegetables and aromatics, then steamed until tender. As it cooks, the chicken's juices drip down into the vegetables, creating layers of incredible flavor.
This is one of the healthiest Filipino chicken dishes, requiring no added oil. The result is incredibly moist, flavorful chicken and vegetables infused with garlic, ginger, and lemongrass. It's simple, wholesome, and perfect for family meals or when you're watching your diet without sacrificing taste.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs)
- 1 head garlic, cloves separated and peeled
- 1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced
- 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised and tied in knots
- 2 medium onions, quartered
- 3 tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cabbage, cut into wedges
- 2 potatoes, quartered
- 1 sweet potato (kamote), cubed
- 1 cup green beans (sitaw), cut into 2-inch pieces
- 3-4 Thai chilies (siling labuyo), optional
- 3 cups water or chicken broth
- 3 tbsp fish sauce (patis)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Chicken
Clean chicken thoroughly inside and out. Pat dry. Rub cavity and outside with salt, pepper, and fish sauce. Stuff cavity with some garlic, ginger, and lemongrass.
- 2
Layer the Vegetables
In a large pot, create a bed of vegetables: start with onions, tomatoes, remaining garlic and ginger, potatoes, and sweet potato. This forms the "seat" for the chicken.
- 3
Position the Chicken
Carefully place chicken upright on the vegetable bed, breast side up. The chicken should be sitting naturally. Add lemongrass around it and pour in water or broth.
- 4
Steam Until Tender
Cover pot tightly. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat. Steam for 45-60 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender. Add cabbage and green beans in the last 10 minutes.
- 5
Serve
Carefully transfer chicken to a serving platter. Arrange vegetables around it. Serve the flavorful broth on the side. Perfect with steamed rice and fish sauce with calamansi.
Tips & Variations
Size Matters
Use a pot large enough to fit the whole chicken upright comfortably. A Dutch oven works perfectly.
Herb Variations
Add tanglad (lemongrass), dahon ng sili (chili leaves), or pandan leaves for extra aroma.
Use the Broth
The vegetable-infused broth is liquid gold. Save it for soup or use as a base for other dishes.