Crock pot Teriyaki Chicken is a sweet, savory, and incredibly easy slow cooker dinner. Juicy chicken cooks slowly in a rich homemade teriyaki sauce, then shreds into tender bites. It is perfect for busy weeknights.
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Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
Crock pot Teriyaki Chicken is one of those dinners that feels comforting and effortless at the same time. First, the slow cooker does most of the work while the chicken absorbs the rich teriyaki flavor.
The sauce combines honey, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. As a result, every bite tastes sweet, savory, and slightly tangy. Meanwhile, the chicken turns incredibly tender as it cooks slowly.
Another reason people love crock pot Teriyaki Chicken is its versatility. You can serve it over rice, noodles, or vegetables. Also, the shredded chicken works well in bowls, wraps, or meal prep containers.
In fact, this recipe only takes about 10 minutes to prepare. Then the crockpot gently cooks everything until the chicken becomes juicy and easy to shred.
If you want a dependable slow cooker dinner that the whole family enjoys, this crock pot Teriyaki Chicken is a fantastic choice.
Ingredients for Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
This crock pot Teriyaki Chicken uses simple pantry ingredients, yet the flavor tastes rich and balanced. Each ingredient plays a role in building the sweet and savory sauce.
You will need about two pounds of chicken breasts. Meanwhile, honey brings sweetness while soy sauce adds that classic salty umami flavor.
Rice vinegar and mirin add a mild tang and slight sweetness. As a result, the sauce develops a deeper teriyaki taste.
Next, ginger, garlic powder, and onion powder create warm aromatic notes. Black pepper adds mild spice while sesame oil brings a subtle nutty finish.
Finally, cornstarch mixed with water thickens the sauce after cooking. This step creates the glossy teriyaki glaze that coats the shredded chicken beautifully.
Altogether, these ingredients create a flavorful crock pot Teriyaki Chicken that tastes like a homemade takeout favorite.
Key Ingredients for the Teriyaki Sauce
The teriyaki sauce is the star of crock pot Teriyaki Chicken. Honey provides natural sweetness while soy sauce builds the salty base.
Meanwhile, mirin gives the sauce its traditional Japanese style sweetness. Rice vinegar balances the flavors and prevents the sauce from tasting overly sweet.
Ginger and garlic bring warmth and aroma. Finally, sesame oil adds a deep toasted flavor that completes the sauce.
When these ingredients cook slowly together, they form a rich and flavorful teriyaki sauce.
Ingredient Substitutions and Flavor Variations
This crock pot Teriyaki Chicken recipe adapts easily depending on your pantry.
For example, chicken thighs can replace chicken breasts. They also stay juicy and slightly richer in flavor.
If you want less sodium, use low sodium soy sauce. Meanwhile, gluten free soy sauce or tamari also works well.
Coconut aminos provide a paleo friendly alternative. In addition, arrowroot powder or tapioca flour can replace cornstarch for thickening.
Fresh garlic, ginger, and onion may also replace powdered spices if you want stronger flavor.
How to Make Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Making crock pot Teriyaki Chicken is simple because everything cooks directly in the slow cooker.
First, prepare the sauce. Then coat the chicken and cook it slowly until tender. After that, shred the chicken and thicken the sauce.
Although the process is easy, a few small steps help create the best texture and flavor.
Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce
Lightly grease the slow cooker first.
Next, add honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and sesame oil directly into the crockpot.
Then whisk everything together until smooth. This mixture becomes the flavorful cooking sauce for the crock pot Teriyaki Chicken.
Add and Coat the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts into the sauce inside the slow cooker.
Then turn them gently so they coat evenly. As a result, the chicken absorbs the teriyaki flavors while cooking.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
Slow Cook Until Tender
Cook the crock pot Teriyaki Chicken for about 6 hours on low or about 3 hours on high.
Meanwhile, if possible, turn the chicken once halfway through cooking. This step helps the chicken soak up the sauce evenly.
When done, the chicken should be tender and easy to pull apart.
Shred the Chicken
Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker.
Then shred it using two forks until it forms tender pieces.
Thicken the Teriyaki Sauce
Pour the cooking liquid through a fine strainer into a saucepan.
Next, whisk cornstarch and water together. Stir it into the sauce and bring it to a boil until thick.
Finally, toss the shredded crock pot Teriyaki Chicken with half the sauce and reserve the rest for serving.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
A few simple tips can make crock pot Teriyaki Chicken even better.
First, always use thawed chicken rather than frozen. Frozen chicken sometimes turns rubbery in slow cookers.
Also, do not skip thickening the sauce. The glossy sauce creates the classic teriyaki texture.
Meanwhile, cooking the chicken directly in the sauce allows it to absorb flavor while staying moist.
Finally, shredding the chicken and mixing it back with the sauce helps every bite stay flavorful.
Cooking on Low vs High Heat
Cooking crock pot Teriyaki Chicken on low heat usually produces the best texture.
Low heat allows the sauce flavors to develop slowly. As a result, the chicken stays tender and juicy.
Using Chicken Breasts or Chicken Thighs
Chicken breasts work well because they shred easily and stay lean.
However, chicken thighs also work great. In fact, they stay slightly juicier and add a deeper flavor.
Avoiding Rubbery or Overcooked Chicken
To prevent rubbery chicken, avoid cooking frozen chicken in the slow cooker.
Also, keep an eye on the cooking time. If the chicken cooks too long, the texture may become dry.
Therefore, check the chicken once it becomes tender enough to shred.
Serving Ideas for Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
Crock pot Teriyaki Chicken pairs well with many simple side dishes.
Because the sauce is sweet and savory, it balances perfectly with rice, noodles, and fresh vegetables.
Meanwhile, the shredded chicken works great in bowls or wraps. It also makes a great meal prep option for busy weeks.
Best Side Dishes to Serve with Teriyaki Chicken
Steamed jasmine rice is the most popular option. It absorbs the teriyaki sauce beautifully.
Meanwhile, stir fried vegetables add color and crunch. Broccoli, carrots, and snap peas work especially well.
Vegetable lo mein or fried rice also pairs nicely with crock pot Teriyaki Chicken. Asian salads with sesame dressing bring a fresh contrast too.
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Teriyaki Chicken
Leftover crock pot Teriyaki Chicken can turn into many quick meals.
For example, add it to rice bowls with avocado and cucumber. Meanwhile, it also works well inside lettuce wraps or tortillas.
You can also mix it into noodle stir fry or fried rice the next day.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Crock pot Teriyaki Chicken stores well, so it is perfect for meal prep.
Because the sauce keeps the chicken moist, leftovers remain flavorful even after reheating.
How to Store Leftovers in the Refrigerator
Place leftover crock pot Teriyaki Chicken in an airtight container.
Then store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Freezing and Reheating Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
You can freeze crock pot Teriyaki Chicken for up to two months.
First allow the chicken to cool completely. Then place it in a freezer safe container with some sauce.
When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Meanwhile, reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warm.
Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken FAQs
Can you cook teriyaki chicken in a slow cooker?
Yes, crock pot Teriyaki Chicken cooks very well in a slow cooker. The chicken slowly absorbs the teriyaki sauce, which makes it tender and flavorful.
What are common mistakes to avoid in teriyaki?
Common mistakes include using too much soy sauce, skipping the thickening step, or overcooking the chicken. Balancing sweet and salty flavors is important.
Do I have to put liquid in the crockpot with chicken?
Yes, some liquid helps the chicken cook properly. In this recipe, the teriyaki sauce acts as the cooking liquid.
Do I add teriyaki sauce before or after cooking chicken?
In crock pot Teriyaki Chicken, the sauce goes in before cooking. The chicken cooks directly in the sauce and absorbs the flavor.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- sweet and savory crockpot hawaiian bbq chicken made with pineapple and tender slow-cooked chicken
- crispy sweet chilli chicken recipe with sticky sauce and crunchy chicken bites
- juicy lemon pepper chicken recipe that’s quick, zesty, and perfect for weeknight dinners
- flavorful greek chicken bowls packed with fresh ingredients and healthy protein
- easy oven roasted chicken breast recipe that stays juicy and full of flavor
- explore more easy chicken dinner ideas in our complete collection of chicken recipes
Final Thoughts
Crock pot Teriyaki Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dinner that fits perfectly into busy schedules. The slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into tender shredded chicken coated in rich teriyaki sauce.
Because it is easy to prepare and great for leftovers, many families make it again and again. Meanwhile, you can pair it with rice, noodles, or vegetables for a complete meal.
If you enjoy simple slow cooker recipes, you can also find more meal inspiration on our Pinterest page at pinterest.
Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
Equipment
- Slow cooker Crockpot or similar slow cooker
- Saucepan Used to thicken the teriyaki sauce
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
- ½ cup honey
- ¾ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ cup mirin
- ½ teaspoon powdered ginger
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Lightly grease a slow cooker. Add honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and sesame oil to the crockpot. Whisk until blended.
- Add the chicken breasts and turn them to coat evenly with the sauce.
- Cover and cook until the chicken becomes tender and easy to shred. Cook about 6 hours on low or about 3 hours on high. Turn once during cooking if possible.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks.
- Strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Whisk it into the sauce and bring to a boil while stirring until thickened.
- Toss the shredded chicken with about half of the thickened sauce. Serve with the remaining sauce over rice or vegetables.
