Craving that irresistible sticky, savory-sweet flavor of your favorite takeout teriyaki, but want to enjoy it from the comfort of your own kitchen? Look no further! This ultimate Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki recipe brings all the deliciousness of a restaurant meal right to your dinner table with minimal effort. Imagine tender, succulent chicken bathed in a rich, glossy homemade teriyaki sauce, all made effortlessly in your crockpot. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights, offering a healthier, more controlled version of a beloved classic.

The beauty of using a slow cooker for teriyaki lies in its ability to transform simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful and incredibly tender dish. The low and slow cooking process ensures the chicken absorbs every nuanced note of the sauce, resulting in a meal that’s bursting with infused flavor and fall-apart tenderness. Get ready to ditch the delivery menu and embrace the magic of homemade!

Why This is the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

When it comes to crafting the perfect weeknight meal, convenience and flavor are king. This crockpot chicken teriyaki recipe excels on both fronts, making it an instant family favorite and a staple in many kitchens.

Better Than Takeout

While takeout teriyaki is undeniably delicious, it often comes with hidden sugars and excessive sodium. Our homemade teriyaki sauce allows you to take full control, customizing the sweetness and saltiness to your exact preferences. You’ll be amazed at how fresh and vibrant the flavors are when made from scratch, with no mystery ingredients.

Hands-Off Cooking

This truly is a “dump-and-go” slow cooker chicken meal. After a quick initial prep of combining the ingredients, your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. You can set it in the morning and return home to a fragrant, delicious dinner ready to be served. It’s the ultimate solution for busy schedules and an ideal choice for easy weeknight dinner recipes.

Versatility

Whether you prefer lean protein or something a bit juicier, this Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki recipe is incredibly adaptable. It works beautifully with both boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs, giving you the flexibility to choose based on your preference or what you have on hand.

Ingredients You Need

Creating an outstanding Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki starts with quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

Chicken: You have a choice here. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are leaner and absorb flavor wonderfully, becoming incredibly tender. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are often juicier, more forgiving, and can offer a richer flavor. Both work perfectly for this recipe.
Soy Sauce: We highly recommend using low-sodium soy sauce to give you better control over the final saltiness of your dish. If you’re aiming for gluten-free teriyaki chicken, simply swap regular soy sauce for Tamari, which is naturally gluten-free.
Sweetener: Brown sugar is key to achieving that classic sticky, slightly caramelized teriyaki glaze. Its molasses notes add depth that granulated sugar can’t quite replicate.
Acidity: A touch of rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar in a pinch) is crucial for balancing the sweet and salty flavors, adding a bright tang that elevates the entire sauce.
Aromatics: Don’t skimp on the fresh stuff! Fresh garlic and ginger are non-negotiable for that authentic, pungent, and aromatic backbone that defines great teriyaki sauce. Powdered alternatives just won’t cut it here.
Thickener: A simple cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with an equal part cold water) is essential at the end of cooking to transform the thin sauce into that luscious, glossy, takeout-style glaze we all love.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making this Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for perfect results every time:

Prep the Chicken: You can cook the chicken in a few ways. For faster shredding or dicing after cooking, you can place whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs directly into the slow cooker. Alternatively, you can dice the chicken into 1-inch pieces before cooking if you prefer a bite-sized result from the start.
Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce (or Tamari), brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced fresh garlic, and grated fresh ginger until the sugar is dissolved and all ingredients are well combined. This is your flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce.
Cooking Time: Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5-2.5 hours. Cooking on low and slow is the secret to incredibly tender, fall-apart chicken that’s infused with maximum flavor. The chicken should be easily shreddable with two forks when done.
Thickening the Sauce: This is the critical step for achieving that signature sticky teriyaki texture. Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to form a smooth slurry. Pour the slurry into the hot sauce in the slow cooker, whisking constantly. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to a beautiful, glossy glaze. Return the chicken to the thickened sauce, tossing to coat thoroughly.

Pro Tip: For the most tender chicken and deepest flavor, always opt for cooking on the LOW setting for a longer duration. Patience truly pays off with slow cooker recipes!

Variations to Try

One of the best things about this Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki is its adaptability. Here are a few ideas to customize your dish:

Spicy Teriyaki

If you love a little kick, elevate your teriyaki with some heat. Add 1-2 teaspoons of Sriracha sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture before cooking. Adjust to your preferred spice level.

Pineapple Teriyaki

For a tropical twist, add 1 cup of canned pineapple chunks (drained) to the slow cooker along with the chicken. You can even substitute some of the water in your cornstarch slurry with a tablespoon or two of pineapple juice for an extra burst of fruity flavor.

Veggie Packed

Turn this into a complete one-pot meal by adding vegetables. Firmer vegetables like carrots or bell peppers can be added during the last hour of cooking on LOW. More tender vegetables like broccoli florets, snap peas, or sliced mushrooms should only be added during the last 30 minutes of cooking on LOW to prevent them from becoming mushy.

Serving Suggestions

This flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides.

Rice: The classic pairing! Serve your chicken teriyaki with rice such as fluffy jasmine rice, aromatic basmati rice, or hearty brown rice for a satisfying and complete meal.
Low Carb Options: For those watching their carb intake, cauliflower rice is an excellent substitute, soaking up all the delicious sauce. Zucchini noodles (zoodles) or steamed broccoli also make fantastic low-carb companions. This makes it a great option for healthy asian slow cooker meals.
Garnishes: A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and a generous scattering of thinly sliced green onions not only add visual appeal but also provide a delightful crunch and fresh flavor.

Storage and Reheating

This Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki is fantastic for meal prep, making your weeknights even easier.

Fridge

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.

Freezer

For easy slow cooker meal prep, you can freeze individual portions of the cooked chicken and sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. You can also freeze the raw chicken and sauce together in a freezer-safe bag as a “dump-and-go” freezer meal, then transfer directly to the slow cooker (adding a little extra cooking time).

Reheating

Reheat in the microwave until warmed through, or gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. If the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge, you can add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth while reheating to loosen it up to your desired consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I cook this on high?

Yes, you can cook this Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki on high for a shorter period, typically 1.5-2.5 hours. However, for the most tender chicken and deepest flavor infusion, cooking on the LOW setting for 3-4 hours is highly recommended.

My sauce is too thin, how do I fix it?

If your sauce isn’t as thick and glossy as you’d like, you can easily fix it. Simply whisk together an additional 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water to create another slurry. Stir this into the hot sauce in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on HIGH for another 15-20 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.

Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken in your slow cooker for this crockpot chicken teriyaki, but with a few important considerations. It’s crucial that the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature quickly. If cooking from frozen, ensure the chicken is not a large, solid block and add an additional 1-2 hours to the cooking time on LOW (or 30-60 minutes on HIGH) to ensure it cooks thoroughly and safely. Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).

Ready to master the art of effortless, delicious home cooking? This Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki recipe is your gateway to incredible flavors with minimal fuss. Enjoy!

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