Slow Cooker Portuguese-Style Chicken with Piri Piri Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender chicken slow-cooked in a spicy and smoky piri piri sauce inspired by Portuguese flavors, perfect for effortless weeknight meals. This Portuguese-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 375 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, piri piri sauce, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 4 Portuguese cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
1/2 cup piri piri sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup piri piri sauce, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
Step 2: Rub the marinade all over 6 bone-in chicken thighs and place them into the slow cooker.
Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Step 4: Once done, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the chicken for a fresh herbal finish before serving.