Tender, juicy chicken slow-cooked in a sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce—this dish is a set-it-and-forget-it dinner winner. Perfect over rice or noodles!
Origin Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
Teriyaki is a traditional Japanese cooking method where food is broiled or grilled with a glaze of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. This slow cooker version brings the teriyaki magic into a convenient, weeknight-friendly dish that combines Asian-inspired flavors with the ease of modern cooking.
What I Love About This Recipe
What’s not to love? You toss everything into the slow cooker, go about your day, and return to a house that smells like an Asian restaurant. The chicken gets ultra-tender and soaks up all that glossy, sticky teriyaki goodness. It’s kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Also Read : Jalapeño Popper Potatoes
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
Course: Recipes4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalIngredients
1.5 to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
⅓ cup honey
¼ cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (or ½ tsp ground ginger)
1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
Sesame seeds and chopped green onions, for garnish
Directions
- Place chicken in the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Pour over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove chicken, shred with two forks.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water, then stir into the sauce in the slow cooker. Let it cook for another 15–20 minutes on high until thickened.
- Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat with the sauce.
- Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- Chicken thighs are more flavorful and tender but breasts work too.
- Add steamed broccoli, carrots, or snap peas for a full meal.