Effortless Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken: A Weeknight Winner 🍗🥢✨
1. Introduction
If you’re searching for a delicious, fuss-free dinner idea, look no further than this Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken. Perfectly tender, glazing with a savory-sweet teriyaki sauce, and cooked to perfection in your slow cooker, this dish is a true weeknight winner. Whether you’re craving an easy teriyaki chicken or a dump and go chicken recipe, this method guarantees flavorful results with minimal effort. Plus, it works wonderfully with most ingredients for a versatile and satisfying meal.
2. Ingredients for Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
- 4 large chicken breasts (or thighs, if preferred)
- 1 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 1/2 cup honey or brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
Explore more chicken recipes at our chicken collection and check out our slow cooker ideas for additional inspiration.
3. Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
Preparing the Sauce
In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Whisk everything together until well blended. This flavorful sauce forms the base of your easy teriyaki chicken.
Adding Chicken to the Slow Cooker
Place your chicken breasts or thighs into the slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Cover with the lid.
Cooking the Chicken
Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken will become tender and flavorful, absorbing all the delicious flavors of the sauce.
Thickening the Sauce
Once cooking is complete, remove the chicken and set aside. To thicken the sauce, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker. Turn the setting to high and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Serving Your Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
Slice or shred the chicken, pour the thickened sauce over it, and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot over steamed rice or dinner noodles for a complete meal.
4. Storage Tips and Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave or warm in a skillet until heated through. This dump and go chicken recipe tastes just as good the next day and even freezes well for later meals.
5. Serving Suggestions & Ways to Customize
Enhance your Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken by adding vegetables like broccoli, peppers, or snap peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Serve over jasmine rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a healthy twist. For a spicy kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes or add sriracha sauce.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs are juicier and become even more tender in the slow cooker. Adjust cooking time to about 5-6 hours on low.
Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?
Absolutely! Just ensure you use a gluten-free soy sauce and verify other ingredients are gluten-free.
How long does it take to prepare this Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken?
The preparation involves mixing the sauce ingredients, which takes about 10 minutes. Cooking time varies from 2-6 hours depending on the setting. Overall, you can expect a meal ready in under 30 minutes of active prep.
7. Kitchen tools that you might need for this recipe
To streamline your cooking process and achieve perfect results, consider using these tools:
- Fullstar Ultimate Veggie Prep Master — makes chopping garlic and ginger effortless, saving you time and effort in prep work.
- Crock-Pot Family-Size Slow Cooker — ensures your Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken cooks evenly and stays warm until ready to serve.
- CAROTE Premium 16pc Nonstick Cookware Set — ideal for cooking rice or prepping side dishes alongside your main meal.
Having the right tools not only enhances your cooking experience but also guarantees restaurant-quality results at home.
8. Related Recipes to Try
- Sweet & Savory Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta
- Dynamite Chicken Slider Bites
- Golden Oven Crispy Chicken Strips
9. Conclusion
This Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken recipe is a surefire way to enjoy a flavorful, tender, and hassle-free meal any night of the week. Its straightforward dump and go approach makes weeknight cooking a delight while delivering restaurant-quality taste. Experiment with different vegetables and sides to customize your meal and impress family and friends effortlessly. For more ideas and kitchen essentials, explore our recipe collection. Happy cooking!
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Effortless Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken: A Weeknight Winner
Effortless Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is a quick and delicious weeknight dinner that yields tender, flavorful chicken coated in a savory-sweet teriyaki sauce. Perfect for busy evenings, this easy crockpot recipe guarantees juicy chicken with minimal prep and maximum taste.
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken breasts (or thighs, if preferred)
- 1 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 1/2 cup honey or brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Whisk until well combined to create the sauce.
- Place chicken breasts or thighs into the slow cooker and pour the sauce over, ensuring all pieces are coated evenly. Cover with the lid.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is tender and flavorful.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set aside. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then stir into the slow cooker. Turn to high and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Slice or shred the chicken, pour the thickened sauce over it, and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- You can add vegetables like broccoli, peppers, or snap peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a complete meal.
- Storing leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days makes for easy reheating.
- This recipe can easily be doubled for larger groups or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten-Free (with gluten-free soy sauce)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 330 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg