In this paper, a stable adaptive neural sliding mode controller is developed for a class of multivariable uncertain nonlinear systems. For these systems not all state variables are available for measurements. By designing a state observer, adaptive neural systems, which are used to model unknown functions, can be constructed using the state estimations. Based on Lyapunov stability theorem, the proposed adaptive neural control system can guarantee the stability of the whole closed loop system and obtain good tracking performances. Adaptive laws are proposed to adjust the free parameters of the neural models. Simulation results illustrate the design procedure and demonstrate the tracking performances of the proposed controller.