Let the slow cooker deliver melt-in-your-mouth chicken with this simple adobo recipe.
There are a million chicken recipes in the world, but this one is special. Adobo is a recipe from the Philippines and is sometimes referred to as the unofficial national dish. This recipe makes chicken so tender, you’ll barely need to chew it. You should have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already, and the slow cooker is doing most of the work, so it’s easy to prepare.
Other than its tenderness, what’s the appeal of this chicken recipe, you ask? It’s undoubtedly the mixture of flavors that keeps this one on the rotation for me. The onion, garlic, peppercorn, and ginger all mingle together with the chicken broth and soy sauce in the slow cooker, creating an incredible dark sauce at the bottom of the pot. There’s also a little bit of tangy brightness from the white vinegar. In the end, your chicken will be falling apart in a rich and flavorful sauce that begs to be soaked up with rice or crusty bread.
Is Slow-Cooker Chicken Adobo Healthy?
Since the recipe calls for skinless chicken thighs and no added oils or butter, this recipe is relatively low in fat. The chicken is a great source of protein, and the dish is overall low-carb and perfect for people on a keto diet. Those watching their sodium intake may want to replace the soy sauce with coconut aminos.
To make the dish healthier, consider serving it with a side of brown rice and sautéed vegetables.
Don’t Peek!
This meal is prepared in a slow cooker, which means you won’t have to do much once everything is in the pot. For the best results, you should resist the urge to remove the lid while it’s cooking. I know, it’s hard! Think of it as a trust exercise; you have to trust the slow cooker to do its job.
That being said, if you’d prefer a thicker sauce, but less of it overall, we’ll give you a pass to peek, but you have to wait until it’s nearly done cooking. About 30 minutes before you plan to eat, ladle out about half of the liquid and leave the lid tilted open at an angle, so some of the remaining liquid evaporates. The sauce will reduce, making it thicker.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Since this meal is made in the slow cooker, it’s easy to prepare ahead of time. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container. In the fridge, it should remain good for up to 3 days. Or, freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Rice is perhaps the best side dish to serve with this slow-cooker chicken adobo. Specifically, I would recommend white rice, and if you enjoy a pop of flavor in your rice, consider this Cilantro-Lime Instant Pot Rice. It’s also not a bad idea to incorporate both rice and vegetables into the meal. Try Vegetable Fried Rice or perhaps Vegetable Rice Pilaf. You opt for a low-carb option with this Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice. You can also eat your chicken adobo with a big chunk of warm, crusty bread, if you prefer that.
If you want to explore other chicken recipes, there are a few I’d like to share. For a little Southwestern flare, I would recommend Santa Fe Chicken. I’m quite fond of this recipe for Healthy Homemade Orange Chicken, too. Finally, if you’re more of a stir-fry person, I know you’ll enjoy Easy Paleo Cashew-Chicken Stir-Fry.
Ingredients
- 5 bone-in chicken thighs skin removed
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup yellow onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves crushed
- 3 slices fresh ginger peeled and sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 1/4 cup green onions sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, chicken broth, and diced onion. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
- Add crushed garlic, ginger slices, bay leaves, and black peppercorns to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours, resisting the urge to open the lid as it cooks.
- Once cooked, remove and discard the bay leaves and ginger slices. Serve the chicken with the sauce from the slow cooker, garnished with sliced green onions.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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