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–+ servings

Slow Cooker Chicken a la Criolla

Chicken a la Criolla is a flavorful Latin dish featuring tender stewed chicken thighs with bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, olives, and a blend of aromatic spices like oregano and cumin. It's an easy-to-make recipe, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner and can be prepared in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 1
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs fat trimmed
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1 clove garlic crushed
  • 1 bell pepper chopped or sliced
  • 4 plum tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp alcaparrado or pitted Spanish olives
  • 8 oz tomato sauce 1 can
  • 0.25 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.25 tsp cumin
  • salt to taste
  • 1 bay leaf 1 to 2
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped, plus 2 tbsp more for serving
  • 0.5 cup water

Method
 

Slow Cooker Instructions
  1. Place chicken, onion, garlic, bell pepper, and tomatoes in the slow cooker. Season with salt, cumin, and oregano. Mix everything well to ensure even seasoning.
  2. Add tomato sauce, alcaparrado (or olives) along with 1 tbsp of their brine, 0.5 cup water, bay leaf, and the initial 0.25 cup of chopped cilantro.
  3. Mix well and set the slow cooker to HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 to 8 hours.
  4. When cooked, taste for salt and seasoning, and adjust spices as needed.
  5. Stir in the remaining 2 tbsp of fresh chopped cilantro and serve over rice or your preferred side.
Instant Pot Instructions
  1. Place chicken, onion, garlic, bell pepper, and tomatoes in the Instant Pot. Season with salt, cumin, and oregano. Mix everything well to ensure even seasoning.
  2. Add tomato sauce, alcaparrado (or olives) along with 1 tbsp of their brine, 0.5 cup water, bay leaf, and the initial 0.25 cup of chopped cilantro.
  3. Mix well and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, then allow for natural release.
  4. When done, taste for salt and seasoning, and adjust spices as needed.
  5. Stir in the remaining 2 tbsp of fresh chopped cilantro and serve over rice or your preferred side.

Nutrition

Serving: 200gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 120gProtein: 120gFat: 120gSaturated Fat: 120gPolyunsaturated Fat: 120gMonounsaturated Fat: 120gTrans Fat: 120gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 120gSugar: 120gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 120mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 120mg

Notes

This recipe can be easily adapted to your spice preference. Feel free to add more cumin or oregano if you like a bolder flavor. For a richer sauce, you can briefly sauté the onions and bell peppers before adding them to the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
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