If you’re looking to make slow cooker teriyaki chicken that’s not only tasty but also easy, you’re in the right spot! This dish is a fantastic way to enjoy that sweet and savory flavor you love, while keeping things simple.
Solves busy weeknights by delivering tender chicken with minimal prep, reduces cleanup with a hands-off cooker, and yields kid-friendly meals using pantry staples.
Sometimes, after a long day, the last thing I want to do is worry about dinner. That’s why this recipe is a lifesaver. You can throw everything in the slow cooker and go about your day. No more stressing about overcooked chicken or washing a ton of dishes.
The beauty of this slow cooker teriyaki chicken is that it cooks on its own. You only need about 10 minutes to prep, and then it simmers away for four hours. As it cooks, the sauce seeps into the chicken, making it tender and juicy. Plus, leftovers make for easy meal prep!
If you love quick and tasty dinners, you’ll want to try this out. If you want something a little different, how about checking out this Greek Chicken Pie? It’s another simple dish that’s sure to please!
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Tender Texture : The slow cooker locks in moisture, ensuring that the chicken comes out super tender every time. No more dry, overcooked meat.
- Flavorful Sauce : The sweet and savory teriyaki sauce seeps into the chicken, giving it that authentic taste you crave without the hassle of complicated methods.
- Convenience : With just a quick prep time, you can set it and forget it, making it ideal for those busy weeknights when you just want dinner ready.
- Great for Leftovers : This dish stores well, so you can whip up a big batch for meal prep and enjoy delicious teriyaki chicken throughout the week.
Easy Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: main dish
- Method: slow cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: gluten free
Description
A flavorful slow cooker teriyaki chicken recipe that is easy to prepare and perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, fresh without blemishes
- 21/2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 21/2 teaspoons ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup honey, raw preferred
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce, tamari for gluten-free
- 21/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted preferred
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Start by whisking together soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl. The mixture should emit a sweet and savory aroma.
- Prep the Chicken: Place your chicken in the slow cooker. Ensure the pieces are evenly spaced to allow for even cooking. If the chicken is thick, consider cutting it to promote proper cooking.
- Pour the Sauce: Gently pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is thoroughly covered.
- Set & Forget: Secure the lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook for about four hours. Avoid lifting the lid frequently to maintain cooking temperature.
- Thicken the Sauce: Once the cooking time concludes, remove the chicken. Pour the remaining sauce into a saucepan and cook it over medium heat until it thickens, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
- Serve it Up: Place the chicken on a plate and drizzle the thickened sauce over the top.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Expert Tips: Use low sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content. If the chicken appears dry after cooking, ensure you do not exceed the recommended cooking duration. For a thicker sauce, mix additional cornstarch with cold water and bring to a boil.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve over steamed rice for a complete meal. Garnish with additional green onions and sesame seeds for enhanced presentation. Pair with steamed broccoli or snap peas for a fresh crunch. For added nutrition, consider incorporating vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli during the last hour of cooking.
- Recipe Variations: For a stir-fry version, add bell peppers and broccoli. Substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan alternative. Drizzle with more teriyaki sauce before serving for extra flavor.
- Ingredient Notes: Select fresh, blemish-free chicken breasts for the best flavor. If fresh garlic or ginger is not available, garlic powder or ground ginger can serve as alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 227
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 542mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 72mg
Ingredient Notes
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: This is the star of the show! Tender chicken soaks up the flavors nicely. Always look for fresh pieces without any blemishes.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic brings a fantastic aroma and depth to the dish. For an easier option, you can use garlic powder if you’re out of fresh.
- Ginger: A little bit of minced ginger adds a warm spice that’s key in teriyaki. If short on fresh ginger, ground ginger can work in a pinch.
- Honey: This gives a lovely sweetness and helps to balance the savory notes. Use raw honey for a more complex flavor, if you can find it.
- Brown sugar: It complements the honey and contributes a slight caramel flavor. If you’re out, you can use white sugar, but it’ll change the taste a bit.
- Low sodium soy sauce: This is crucial for that umami kick without too much saltiness. If you’re gluten-free, tamari is a great alternative!
- Toasted sesame oil: Just a touch adds a fantastic nutty flavor. It’s super fragrant, so a little goes a long way, don’t skip it!
- Rice vinegar: This gives a nice acidity to balance the sweetness. If you can’t find it, white wine vinegar can be a fine substitute.
- Cold water: Helps to dissolve the cornstarch later. Just make sure it’s cold to help with the thickening process!
- Cornstarch: This is what’ll give your sauce that nice thickness. If you don’t have any, you can use arrowroot powder as an alternative.
- Sesame seeds: Sprinkle these on top for a little crunch and nuttiness. If you’ve got them, toasted seeds have an even better flavor!
- Sliced green onions: They add a fresh bite on top. Feel free to use any onion you have on hand; just adjust the amount for flavor.
Recipe Tips
- If the chicken seems dry after cooking, monitor the time closely; it shouldn’t exceed the recommended cooking duration.
- When the sauce tastes too salty, opt for low sodium soy sauce and adjust sugar to balance the flavor profile.
- If your sauce isn’t thickening, stir in the cornstarch thoroughly and bring the mixture to a full boil for best results.
- For added nutrition, mixing in vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli can elevate your slow cooker teriyaki chicken.
- When prepping, consider adding your favorite vegetables at the last hour of cooking to keep them tender yet crisp.
Serving Suggestions
Serve over steamed rice for a complete meal. Add a side of steamed broccoli or snap peas for a fresh crunch.
This dish works well in rice bowls, or as a filling for lettuce wraps. You can also use it in teriyaki-inspired stir-fries with your favorite vegetables.
Top with additional green onions and sesame seeds for garnish. A drizzle of gluten-free soy sauce can add extra flavor if desired.
Recipe variations
- You can use 1 1/2 pounds of chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a juicier option.
- Add 1 tablespoon of sriracha for a spicy kick or 1 tablespoon of pineapple juice for a fruity twist.
- Either toss in bell peppers and broccoli for a stir-fry effect or serve over rice for a comforting meal.
- If you want to serve more people, increase the chicken to 2 pounds and double the sauce ingredients accordingly.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your slow cooker teriyaki chicken fresh, follow these storage tips:
Refrigeration: Store chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days after cooking. Seal well for best results.
Freezing: Place chicken in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Warm leftovers in a microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
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- Green Goddess Pasta Salad
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- Spinach Feta Stuffed Chicken with Sundried Tomato
If you enjoyed this slow cooker teriyaki chicken or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
