Chicken Tocino

Chicken tocino is a popular breakfast ulam found in many carinderia across the Philippines. Made with chicken meat marinated in a blend of sweet seasonings like brown sugar, garlic, and sometimes pineapple juice, chicken tocino offers a lighter alternative to the traditional pork tocino. The meat is typically pan-fried until caramelized and served with garlic fried rice (sinangag) and sunny-side-up egg, a classic 'silog' meal. Some people also enjoy chicken tocino as a quick merienda, tucked into pandesal or paired with atchara for a tangy contrast. Nutritionally, chicken tocino provides about 180 kcal and 18g of protein per 100g serving. It's less fatty than pork tocino, but still contains 8g of fat and 10g of carbohydrates from its marinade, so it's best to moderate portion sizes — especially if you usually order extra rice. To keep your meal on the lighter side, ask for less oil when cooking or enjoy it with more gulay on the side. Chicken tocino has virtually no fiber, so pairing it with fresh vegetables or pickled papaya (atchara) can help balance the meal.