Filipino Chicken Adobo

1. Combine the chicken, vinegar, garlic, bay, and peppercorns with 1 cup water in a dutch oven or large saucepot, over a moderate flame.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat slightly, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Remove cover, add the soy sauce.
4. Cover and simmer for another 20 minutes.
5. Remove chicken with a slotted spoon.
6. Pat dry with a kitchen towel.
7. Simmeri the liquid for 10-15 minutes, until reduced to 1 cup remove from heat, cool.
8. Skimi the fat from the surface.
9. Remove and discard the bay leaves.
10. Heat the oil in a saute pan or skillet, over a moderate flame add chicken, in small batches, and brown well on all sides remove to drain on a cooling rack and blot with paper towels.
11. Repeat with remaining chicken.
12. Arrange the chicken onto a serving platter.
13. Reheat the sauce mixture and pour over the chicken.
14. Serve hot, with hot cooked rice.