Description
Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo is a flavorful Filipino classic made tender by slow cooking chicken thighs in a savory mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices. This comforting dish delivers rich, tangy, and slightly sweet notes and is perfect served over steamed rice for an easy and satisfying meal.
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
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
Other Ingredients
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and lightly sear the chicken thighs or drumsticks for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. This step enhances flavor but can be skipped for convenience.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the browned (or raw) chicken into the slow cooker.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, white vinegar, water, minced garlic, black peppercorns, optional brown sugar, and paprika. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Add Aromatics: Add the sliced onion and bay leaves on top of the chicken and sauce.
- Cook Slowly: Cover 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 bay leaves. If desired, transfer the cooking sauce to a saucepan and simmer for a few minutes to thicken it.
- Serve: Serve the slow-cooked chicken with sauce over cooked rice and garnish with chopped green onions.
Notes
- Searing the chicken adds depth of flavor but can be skipped to save time.
- Using low sodium soy sauce allows better control of saltiness.
- Brown sugar is optional to add a touch of sweetness balancing the acidity of the vinegar.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for spiciness.
- Cooking times vary depending on your slow cooker model.
- Serve with steamed white rice or garlic rice for a traditional Filipino meal.
