Pinatisang Manok is easy to make and extra flavorful with added fresh chili leaves and mashed egg yolk. It's a hearty and tasty soup you can enjoy on its own or with steamed rice.

This pinatisang manok has been on my to-make list for months, but since fresh chili leaves are hard to come by, it was only yesterday when I could. Although I could have easily subbed spinach, I wanted to be as true to the traditional dish as possible.
You can imagine my excitement when I found these coveted leaves on my recent trip to Seafood City. So I've learned the supermarket sells on Fridays indigenous produce they don't normally have on other days.
Their large bins overflowing with ampalaya tendrils, saluyot, kalabasa flowers, and chili leaves were a sight to behold. I was like a little kid let loose in a candy store!

Pinatisang manok vs Tinola
As you can see from the list of ingredients and cooking steps, this chicken soup is similar to the ubiquitous tinola. What sets the flavor apart is we're using more fish sauce (its pinatisan, after all) and adding a mashed egg yolk just before the chili leaves are thrown into the pot.

Yes, egg yolks! Trust me, my peeps. You NEED this in your life!
The addition of a hardboiled yolk is a stroke of genius. It gives the broth a certain richness and depth of flavor that takes it up a notch.

Cooking tips
- For optimal flavor, use bone-in chicken cut-up into serving parts.
- I love the peppery taste fresh chili leaves bring to the soup, but spinach or malunggay are also delicious options.
- If you want a kick of spice, add a piece or two of finger chilies (siling haba).

How to serve and store
- Pinatisang manok is delicious on its own or served with steamed rice for lunch and dinner.
- To store leftovers, let cool completely and transfer in a container with a lid. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, place in a saucepot and heat to an internal temperature of 165 F.
More chicken recipes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 onion, peeled and sliced thinly
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 thumb-size ginger, peeled and julienned
- 1 whole (about 3 to 4 pounds) chicken, cut into serving parts
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1 hardboiled egg yolk
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups fresh chili leaves
Instructions
- In a wide pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions, garlic, and ginger, and cook until softened.
- Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until color changes and juices run clear.
- Add fish sauce and continue to cook for about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add water and bring to a boil, skimming scum that floats on top.
- Lower heat, cover, and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
- In a bowl, mash hardboiled egg yolk with about ¼ cup of the broth from the pot. Add to pot and stir to disperse.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook for another 1 minute.
- Turn off heat and add chili leaves. Cover and allow residual heat to continue cooking the leaves until just wilted. Serve hot.
Video

Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Camila says
Hello.
Adding mashed egg yolks seems interesting. I am curious tho if I can add this too in beef broth.
Noel D. Amor says
Hi Laine,
Mashed egg yolk added to Tinola is a very bright Idea. I remember my Mama she cooked this using native spring chicken that happened to be 'not so spring anymore' in that there were tiny eggs. She just added those tiny eggs in the boiling soup. When done, Mama scooped them in on a bowl of Tinolala for me. It was awesomely delicious!
Noel
Lalaine Manalo says
Hi Noel! That does sound awesomely delish!
Mica says
Use chicken stock if ur using chicken breast meat
Lalaine says
Thanks for the tip, Mica 🙂
Esther says
It's like tinola but there's no green papaya. The mashed egg yolk is interesting though. Perhaps I could try adding mashed egg yolk to my tinola next time I cook tinola. Thanks.