This take on the classic slow cooker Cuban chicken recipe combines the zing of orange and lime with the warmth of smoked paprika, to create a light summery dish. Serve with a green side salad and brown rice.
Slow Cooker Cuban Chicken
Ok, I have to admit it. I really am quite a lazy cook. I do love cooking and experimenting with new flavours and techniques, but as a busy Mum of three juggling two jobs, a hardcore exercise routine and the desire to go adventuring outdoors every time the sun comes out, I often like quick to prepare no-fuss meals.
This recipe is one of those meals. The ingredients for this slow-cooked Cuban-inspired chicken can get plonked into the slow cooker first thing in the morning before heading out for a day’s adventuring with the family in the full, glorious Shetland sun (when it shines it shines!).
Upon our return, wind-swept and exhausted with big smiles on our faces, we are met at the door with the aroma of citrus and roasting chicken wafting from the slow cooker.
This is my take on the classic slow cooker Cuban chicken recipe. Combining the zing of orange and lime with the warmth of smoked paprika and toasted cumin, this light summery dish can be served with a green side salad and brown rice or crusty bread to help soak up the juices.
Ingredients you need for this Slow Cooker Cuban Chicken Recipe
- chicken thighs – 8 large ones should be sufficient to feed four
- olive oil – I use Pomora
- garlic – loads of it! I use at least 12 garlic cloves, as they sweeten and mellow in flavour when slow cooked.
- freshly squeezed orange juice – 2 or 3 good sized oranges
- freshly squeezed lime juice – about 4 or 5 limes
- one large brown-skinned onion
- whole cumin seeds
- dried oregano
- smoked paprika
- bay leaf
- dark brown sugar
- one green pepper
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- spring onions, to garnish (optional)
How to make this Slow Cooker Cuban Chicken – Step by Step Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a saute pan and brown the seasoned chicken thighs in batches.
- Add the chicken to your slow cooker bowl along with the garlic and green pepper, reserving a little of the fat in the saute pan.
- Saute the onion in the remaining fat until softened.
- Add the cumin seeds and cook a further minute.
- Add the oregano, paprika, brown sugar and citrus juices and bring to the boil.
- Pour the liquid over the chicken thighs and slow cook on low for 5 hours.
Slow Cooker Cuban Chicken {Recipe Video}
This take on the classic slow cooker Cuban chicken recipe combines the zing of orange and lime with the warmth of smoked paprika, to create a light summery dish.
Weight Watchers Points in this Slow Cooker Cuban Chicken Recipe
There are 14 Smart Points in this recipe.
Slow Cooker Cuban Chicken
Ingredients
- 8 large chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 12 garlic cloves peeled but left whole
- 125 ml freshly squeezed orange juice (2.5 large oranges)
- 125 ml freshly squeezed lime juice (about 5 limes)
- 1 large onion finely sliced
- 1 tsp whole cumin seeds
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tbsp dark brown sugar
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- Shetland sea salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- spring onions chopped, to garnish
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Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over a medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken with plenty of salt and pepper and brown on both sides in the oil.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place into the bowl of your slow cooker along with the whole garlic cloves and chopped green pepper.
- Drain off most of the chicken fat, leaving about 1 tbsp of liquid in the saute pan. Fry the onion for a few minutes until it begins to soften.
- Add the whole cumin seeds and fry for a further minute.
- Add the dried oregano, smoked paprika and stir well.
- Add the brown sugar and orange and lime juices and bring to the boil, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Boil for one minute and season to taste.
- Pour the liquid over the top of the chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
- Pop the lid on, and leave on low for 5 hours.
- Garnish with spring onions and serve the chicken with plenty of brown rice to soak up the juices.
Video
Notes
Weight Watchers Points Per Serving
This recipe contains approximately 14 Smart Points per serving, given that each chicken thigh yields approximately 2.5 oz/ 70 grams of meat.Nutrition
Some other slow cooker chicken recipes to whet your appetite! Not only is the meat – breast included – wonderfully soft and moist, the cooking liquid becomes rich and delicious stock! A pasanda is usually a curry containing cream, yoghurt or coconut milk and almonds. Chicken thighs seasoned with plenty of cracked black pepper and cayenne and then browned before being cooked in chicken stock with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. A chilli that is full of flavour and can be made easily from pantry staples. Post includes a regular, Instant Pot and slow cooker version.Other Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
Slow Cooker Poached Chicken
Slow Cooker Chicken Pasanda Curry
One Pot Lemon Pepper Chicken with Country Vegetable Rice
White Chicken Chili Recipe
Cooking over a Nordic Fire Log
Can i use chicken breasts instead? Also shouldn’t the orange juice be twice the amount of the lime juice in a mojo sauce? How much ground cumin equals 1 tsp cumin seeds?
Thanks
Katherine
I’ve never made this recipe with chicken breasts before as I prefer the juiciness of bone-in thighs, but I see no reason why one couldn’t experiment! I’ll give your suggestion a go with regards to the citrus quantities next time I make it, but folk seem to quite like this recipe as it is. My father always used to say: recipes are only guidelines anyway. Make it your own. 🙂 Use 1/2 tsp of ground cumin to substitute 1 tsp cumin seeds.
My goodness this looks and sounds incredible! I would so love to try this 🙂
This looks wonderful!
this could make me hungry after a full blown Xmas dinner
need to try this in my slow cooker
Oh wow that looks so good, love slow cooker cooking, so tender and the chicken here looks so juicy! Ty
I love this, I adore Cuban, Floridian and Caribbean food. Nom.
I don’t eat chicken but this recipe does make me homesick for my native Florida! The mix of citrus, oregano, cumin and garlic is used extensively in southern Florida as it is an area heavily influenced by its near neighbour. I make a dressing with these ingredients for a black bean and roasted vegetable salad. Love these flavours SO much!
oh the chicken thighs!… food of the gods! and can you believe i’ve not cooked them in the slow cooker yet… that needs to change and with you beautiful recipe I think i have the inspiration I need!
Gorgeous colour and the flavours sound fantastic.
Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum!! Speaks for itself!!
Yes please, chicken cooked slowly with all these spicy fruity flavours would certainly make me happy!
I am, as you know, a huge fan of slow cookers, they are just so very handy and I love the look of this recipe for cuban chicken!
This cuban chicken looks so good, I love chicken thighs in the slow cooker too. Slow cookers are just the best things when you are busy aren’t they. Love the flavours in your dish, it must have been delicious.
I forgot to say thanks for linking to my recipe, too.
This would certainly be a change up from most slow cooker recipes. So much flavor!
The chicken looks delicious. Love citrus and spice on chicken. Perfect for summer.
What a lovely one pot recipe that would be very welcoming after a hard day at work.
Slow cooker meals are great when I have a busy day ahead so a new recipe is very welcome
I love no fuss meals as well and this one looks delicious – thanks for sharing x
Elizabeth this looks soooooooooooooooooooooo good. Now if only I lived close to you I would invite myself over to lunch.