Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki

If you’ve been searching for a flavorful, tender, and fuss-free dinner option, this Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki recipe is your new best friend. Imagine juicy chicken simmered slowly in a luscious teriyaki sauce that’s both sweet and savory, creating a dish perfect for busy weeknights or relaxing weekend meals. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki delivers maximum taste with little effort, making it a staple you’ll want to keep on rotation in your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Cooking: Simply toss the ingredients into the slow cooker and let time do the work for you.
• Perfectly Tender Chicken: Slow cooking makes the chicken incredibly juicy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
• Balanced Flavors: The classic blend of sweet soy, garlic, and ginger creates an irresistible sauce.
• Versatile Meal: Easily pairs with rice, noodles, or veggies for endless serving options.
• Great for Meal Prep: Cooks well in batches and reheats beautifully for lunches or busy nights.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Keeping the ingredients simple but vibrant is key to this recipe’s success. Each component plays a crucial role in building the authentic and rich teriyaki flavor while ensuring your chicken remains juicy and colorful.

• Chicken thighs: Skinless, boneless thighs are perfect for tender, flavorful results.
• Soy sauce: The salty backbone of the teriyaki sauce, providing umami depth.
• Brown sugar: Adds a natural sweetness and caramelizes into a glossy finish.
• Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic infuses a pungent warmth that brightens every bite.
• Fresh ginger: Offers a slightly spicy, aromatic kick essential for teriyaki.
• Rice vinegar: Balances sweetness with a subtle tang to elevate the sauce.
• Honey: Enhances the sauce’s complexity with a mild floral sweetness.
• Water or chicken broth: Helps thin the sauce and keep the chicken moist.
• Cornstarch slurry: To thicken the cooking liquid into that signature teriyaki glaze.
• Sesame seeds (optional): A beautiful garnish that adds texture and nutty flavor.
• Green onions (optional): Freshly chopped for a bright, herbal finish.

Variations for Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki

One of the best parts about this Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you need to adjust for dietary preferences or just want to mix things up, these variations keep the core deliciousness intact.

• Use chicken breasts: Swap thighs for breasts for a leaner option, just be mindful of cooking times to avoid dryness.
• Add vegetables: Toss in sliced bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas for extra crunch and nutrition.
• Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free tamari sauce instead of soy sauce to keep the dish safe for gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy twist: Stir in a dash of sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
• Swap sweeteners: Use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey or brown sugar for different flavor profiles.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, honey, and water or chicken broth until sugar dissolves completely. This forms the flavorful teriyaki base that will slowly infuse the chicken.

Step 2: Add Chicken to Slow Cooker

Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker, arranging them in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the chicken, making sure every piece is coated.

Step 3: Slow Cook

Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through. The slow cooker gently braises the chicken in the sauce, building deep flavor and perfect texture.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

About 15 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry and stir it into the slow cooker. Turn the heat to high and let the sauce thicken, stirring occasionally to a glossy, syrupy consistency.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions over the chicken for a pop of color and added flavor, then serve over steamed rice or your preferred base.

Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki

• Choose dark meat: Chicken thighs stay juicier and more flavorful when slow-cooked than breasts.
• Don’t skip fresh ginger and garlic: These fresh ingredients elevate the sauce beyond bottled teriyaki mixes.
• Add cornstarch slurry at the end: Thickening the sauce near the end ensures it doesn’t get too gloopy during long cooking.
• Use low and slow cooking: Cooking on low helps keep the chicken tender and infuses the sauce deeply.
• Remove excess liquid: If the sauce is too watery after cooking, thicken with a little more cornstarch slurry off heat.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki

Garnishes

To elevate the presentation and add texture, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top. These simple garnishes brighten the dish and bring an authentic restaurant-quality touch to your dinner table.

Side Dishes

Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine or brown rice to soak up the sauce. For more variety, serve alongside stir-fried vegetables, cauliflower rice, or even a fresh Asian-inspired slaw to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the teriyaki chicken as a filling for lettuce wraps or pile it over cooked soba or udon noodles tossed with sesame oil and scallions. This adds a new dimension to mealtime while keeping things simple and satisfying.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making for an even tastier next-day meal.

Freezing

Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki freezes beautifully. Transfer cooled chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat to preserve moisture and prevent the chicken from drying out. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken in the slow cooker?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but it will increase the cooking time by about an hour and may result in less even cooking, so it’s generally best to use thawed chicken for this recipe.

Do I need to brown the chicken before slow cooking?

Browning is optional but adds extra flavor and a more appealing texture. However, skipping this step makes the recipe quicker and easier without sacrificing much taste.

Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead?

Absolutely! Use the sauté function to brown the chicken if you like, then pressure cook on high for about 10 minutes with a natural release for equally tender results.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The traditional recipe contains soy sauce, which has gluten, but using tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative makes the dish safe for gluten-free diets.

How can I thicken the sauce if I don’t have cornstarch?

You can use arrowroot powder as a 1:1 substitute or simmer the sauce uncovered on the stove after removing the chicken to reduce it and intensify the flavor naturally.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki recipe is a total game-changer for anyone looking to add a comforting, flavorful meal to their week without stress or hours in the kitchen. Give it a try and enjoy the magic of tender chicken bathed in a perfectly balanced teriyaki glaze—weeknight dinners have never tasted so good or been this easy!

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