Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken – a true weeknight hero and undoubtedly one of the best and easiest crock pot meals you can master! Imagine succulent chicken thighs or tender chicken breasts, slow-cooked to perfection in a delectable brown sugar teriyaki sauce, ready to be shredded and served over a bed of fluffy rice. This recipe promises a burst of authentic Asian flavors with incredibly minimal effort, making it an indispensable addition to your family’s meal rotation.
This dish delivers an incredible depth of flavor that rivals your favorite takeout, but with the convenience and comfort of homemade cooking. Much like our popular Easy Sesame Chicken or the delightful Easy Chicken Yakisoba, this teriyaki chicken recipe is designed for maximum taste with minimal fuss. Serve it generously over perfectly Fluffy Rice, alongside a refreshing Asian Slaw, or with your favorite steamed vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
In our increasingly busy lives, finding meals that are both delicious and incredibly easy to prepare feels like discovering a culinary superpower. This Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken recipe embodies just that – it’s a comforting, flavor-packed dish that literally saves your hectic days. The magic of the slow cooker means you can simply combine a few simple ingredients, set it, and forget it, returning hours later to a perfectly cooked, savory meal. The comforting, drool-inducing aroma that fills your home as it simmers is an added bonus, a delicious preview of the feast to come.
Beyond its convenience, this recipe stands out for its robust and authentic teriyaki flavor profile. We’re talking about that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes that makes teriyaki chicken so irresistible. The slow cooking process allows the chicken to absorb all the wonderful flavors of the sauce, resulting in incredibly tender, fall-apart meat that’s simply bursting with taste. For an even quicker prep, we highly recommend making a batch of our Homemade Teriyaki Sauce in advance. It makes all the difference and significantly cuts down on your ingredient whisking time!
Essential Ingredients for Your Teriyaki Masterpiece
Crafting the perfect Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken starts with a careful selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, along with some insights into why each component is crucial to the dish’s success:
- Chicken (Breast or Thighs): We recommend using boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, or a combination of both. Chicken thighs are incredibly forgiving and result in a more tender, juicy outcome, while breasts offer a leaner option. Ensure they are cut into uniform pieces for even cooking, or left whole if you prefer to shred them after cooking.
- Brown Sugar or Honey: These sweeteners provide the classic caramel notes and balance the savory soy sauce. Brown sugar offers a deeper, molasses-rich sweetness, while honey provides a lighter, floral sweetness. Either works beautifully, so choose based on your preference or what you have on hand.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Essential for that umami depth and savory foundation. Opting for low-sodium soy sauce gives you more control over the saltiness of your dish, allowing you to add more if needed without over-salting initially.
- Rice Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar: A touch of acidity is vital to cut through the richness of the sauce and add a bright, tangy counterpoint. Rice vinegar is traditionally used in Asian cuisine and offers a mild, sweet tang. Apple cider vinegar is a great alternative if rice vinegar isn’t available, providing a similar tartness.
- Fresh or Ground Ginger: Ginger is a cornerstone of teriyaki flavor, adding a warm, spicy, and aromatic kick. Freshly grated ginger offers a more vibrant and pungent flavor, but ground ginger is a convenient substitute, though you’ll need slightly less due to its concentrated flavor.
- Garlic: Minced garlic provides another layer of pungent aroma and savory depth, complementing the ginger perfectly. Freshly minced garlic is always preferred for the best flavor.
- Sweet Onion: Finely chopped sweet onion cooks down beautifully in the slow cooker, adding a subtle sweetness and foundational flavor to the sauce without being overpowering.
- Black Pepper: A pinch of freshly ground black pepper enhances all the other flavors and adds a touch of subtle heat.
- Cornstarch: This is your secret weapon for achieving that perfectly glossy, thick teriyaki sauce. It’s used to create a slurry that thickens the sauce at the end of the cooking process.
- Water: Cold water is mixed with cornstarch to create a smooth slurry, preventing lumps when added to the hot sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Easy Teriyaki Chicken
Creating this flavorful Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is wonderfully straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a meal that tastes like it took hours of intricate cooking, but was actually mostly hands-off:
- Prepare the Chicken: Begin by placing your boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts directly into the slow cooker pot. You can leave them whole or cut them into larger pieces, as they will be shredded later.
- Whisk the Sauce: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the sauce ingredients. Whisk together the brown sugar (or honey), low-sodium soy sauce, and rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) until well combined. Then, stir in the fresh or ground ginger, minced garlic, and chopped sweet onion, along with the ground black pepper. Whisk everything thoroughly to ensure all flavors are integrated.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Make sure the chicken is well-coated. Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cook the chicken on the LOW setting for 6 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 4 hours. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model, but the goal is for the chicken to be incredibly tender and easily shreddable.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the cooking time is complete, do NOT turn off your slow cooker. Carefully remove the chicken from the sauce (or shred it directly in the pot if there’s enough room) and shred it using two forks. The chicken should be so tender that it falls apart effortlessly. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce in the slow cooker.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with the cold water until a smooth slurry forms with no lumps. Pour this cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker with the chicken and sauce. Stir well to incorporate.
- Final Simmer: Allow the mixture to cook for another 10-15 minutes on the same LOW or HIGH setting, stirring occasionally. The sauce will visibly thicken and become glossy, coating the shredded chicken beautifully.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, your Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is ready to be served!
Delicious Serving Suggestions
This versatile Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, allowing you to create a balanced and satisfying meal every time. Here are some of our favorite accompaniments:
- Rice: The classic choice! Serve your teriyaki chicken over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or even jasmine rice. If you’re looking to achieve that perfect, separate grain texture without a rice cooker, our guide to making perfect, fluffy rice is a must-read. For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice is an excellent substitute.
- Steamed Vegetables: Complement the rich chicken with vibrant, fresh vegetables. Steamed broccoli is always a hit, but you could also use snap peas, green beans, or a colorful stir-fry vegetable mix. Simply steam or lightly sauté your chosen veggies until crisp-tender.
- Asian Slaw: For a refreshing crunch and tangy contrast, serve alongside a crisp Asian slaw. The fresh flavors and textures beautifully balance the savory chicken.
- Garnishes: Elevate your dish with simple garnishes. A sprinkle of chopped green onions adds a pop of color and a fresh, mild oniony bite that is simply fantastic. A dash of sesame seeds also adds a lovely nutty flavor and texture.
- Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, drizzle some sriracha over your chicken and rice bowl, or mix it directly into the shredded chicken before serving. Red pepper flakes can also be added to the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking for an even spicier kick.
Tips for Making the Best Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
While this recipe is incredibly easy, a few simple tips can help you achieve truly outstanding results every time:
- Don’t Overcrowd Your Slow Cooker: For even cooking and maximum flavor absorption, avoid overfilling your slow cooker. Ensure there’s enough space for the chicken to be mostly submerged in the sauce.
- Customize Sweetness: The recipe calls for brown sugar, which provides a rich sweetness. If you prefer a less sweet sauce, you can slightly reduce the amount of brown sugar or honey. Conversely, if you like it sweeter, feel free to add a little extra.
- Fresh vs. Ground Ginger/Garlic: While ground spices are convenient, fresh ginger and garlic will always yield a superior, more vibrant flavor. If possible, opt for fresh. If using ground, remember that the flavor is more concentrated, so adjust the quantity accordingly (e.g., 1 tablespoon fresh ginger is roughly equivalent to 1 teaspoon ground ginger).
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like after adding the cornstarch slurry and simmering for 10-15 minutes, you can make another small slurry with 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch and cold water, then stir it in and cook for another few minutes. If it becomes too thick, a splash of hot water or chicken broth can thin it out.
- Check for Doneness: Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). However, for shredding, you want it to be very tender, which usually happens around 175-185°F (79-85°C) for thighs, or slightly lower for breasts without drying them out. The beauty of slow cooking is that it’s quite forgiving!
Meal Prep and Storage
This Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is fantastic for meal prepping! You can easily make a larger batch and enjoy it throughout the week. Here’s how to handle leftovers:
- Storage: Store any leftover teriyaki chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This dish freezes beautifully. Once cooled completely, transfer the chicken and sauce to freezer-safe bags or containers. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through, or in the microwave. If the sauce seems too thick after reheating, you can add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth to loosen it.
- Leftover Ideas: Beyond serving with rice and veggies, leftover teriyaki chicken makes excellent filling for lettuce wraps, a topping for salads, or even a flavorful addition to ramen noodles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I use frozen chicken?
- While it’s generally recommended to use thawed chicken for best results and food safety, you can use frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs directly in the slow cooker. You may need to increase the cooking time by 1-2 hours on LOW or 30-60 minutes on HIGH to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature and becomes tender enough to shred.
- Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
- Absolutely! To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute regular soy sauce with a certified gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos.
- What if my sauce is too thin/thick?
- If your sauce is too thin after the initial thickening step, make another small cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water) and stir it into the slow cooker. Let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes. If it’s too thick, you can thin it out with a tablespoon or two of hot water or chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?
- Yes, you can! Hearty vegetables like carrots or bell peppers can be added during the last 1-2 hours of cooking so they don’t become too mushy. Softer vegetables like broccoli florets are best steamed separately and added at the very end or served on the side.
Recipe Card: Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
Author: Anna
One of the easiest crock pot meals you can make! Chicken thighs or breasts cooked in teriyaki brown sugar sauce and served over rice.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 272 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts (or a mix of both)
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped ginger (OR 2 teaspoons ground ginger)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sweet onion, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
- Place chicken in slow cooker.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar (or honey), soy sauce, and vinegar. Add ginger, garlic, onion, and pepper. Whisk well. Pour the mixture over chicken. Cover slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
- When done, DO NOT turn off the slow cooker. Shred chicken with two forks.
- In a small measuring cup, whisk cornstarch with cold water. Add to slow cooker and stir. Let cook for 10 minutes and stir again. The mixture should thicken.
- Serve over rice with a side of steamed vegetables.
Notes
You can use ⅓ cup of honey in place of brown sugar for a slightly different sweetness profile.
Nutrition
Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 845mg | Potassium: 434mg | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1.7mg
More Easy Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of convenient and flavorful meals like this Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken, be sure to explore more of our easy-to-make recipes:
- Slow Cooker Sweet Garlic Chicken
- Shrimp Fried Rice
- Skinny Orange Chicken
- Honey Lemon Chicken Rice Bowls
For even more effortless culinary inspiration, feel free to browse our dedicated Slow Cooker category, packed with recipes designed to make your life easier and your meals tastier.
If you try this incredible Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken recipe and love it as much as we do, we’d be thrilled to see your creation! Snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Don’t forget to tag us @crunchycreamysweet so we can admire your culinary skills and leave a comment! We love hearing from you!
This recipe was originally published on January 18th, 2016, and lovingly updated on May 29th, 2019, to bring you the best possible version of this weeknight favorite.