Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo is a classic Filipino dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a savory and tangy sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and aromatic spices. Perfect for a hands-off meal, the slow cooker tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with bold flavors, creating a comforting and delicious dish served over steamed rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks
Adobo Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
Vegetables and Garnishes
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
To Serve
- Cooked rice
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Lightly sear the chicken thighs or drumsticks for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. This step enhances the flavor but can be skipped if desired for convenience.
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared (or raw, if skipping searing) chicken to the slow cooker.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, 1 tablespoon brown sugar (if using), and 1 teaspoon paprika. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Add Aromatics: Add the sliced onion and 2 bay leaves on top of the chicken and sauce.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily pulls apart.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove and discard the bay leaves. If desired, transfer the cooking sauce to a saucepan and simmer on the stovetop for a few minutes to reduce and thicken.
- Serve: Serve the chicken with the thickened sauce over cooked rice, garnished with chopped green onions.
Notes
- Searing the chicken adds flavor but is optional.
- You can adjust the brown sugar and red pepper flakes to balance sweetness and spice to your taste.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer the sauce separately after cooking.
- Using low sodium soy sauce helps control saltiness.
- Bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks are preferred for juiciness and flavor.
