Slow Cooker Semur Chicken with Australian Spices

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tender Indonesian-influenced chicken stew slow-cooked with warm Australian spices and a rich soy-based sauce. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 375 minutes pairs skinless, bone-in chicken thighs, brown sugar, dark soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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 6 Australian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté 4 minced garlic cloves and 3 thinly sliced shallots until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Transfer the sautéed mixture to the slow cooker. Add 6 skinless, bone-in chicken thighs on top.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 cup dark soy sauce, 1/4 cup light soy sauce, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, and 1 cup water until combined. Pour over the chicken.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and sauce is thickened.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving with steamed rice or crusty bread.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Semur Chicken with Australian Spices take to make?

Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Semur Chicken with Australian Spices?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep brown sugar from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Semur Chicken with Australian Spices?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow Cooker Semur Chicken with Australian Spices for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Slow Cooker Semur Chicken with Australian Spices?

Australian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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