It is a clean, clear broth, so the flavor has to be built early: bloom a lot of sliced ginger and garlic in the pot first and brown the chicken lightly before any water goes in, then simmer gently so the broth stays clear rather than boiling cloudy. The ginger should be assertive; it is the whole character of the soup.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep15 min
Cook35 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineFilipino
Cost$$
Gluten-freeDairy-free
Contains fish
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for4servings
Chicken pieces
Bone-in pieces for a flavorful broth. A pasture-raised chicken makes a cleaner, richer soup.
Can you make Tinola in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert
Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.
Can you freeze Tinola? — Yes
Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.
Can you make Tinola ahead of time? — Yes
Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.
Is Tinola gluten-free? — Yes
Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.
Is Tinola vegan? — No
No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.
Community Notes
Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.
Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →