Description

A comforting and flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki recipe featuring tender chicken slow-cooked in a rich, sweet, and savory homemade teriyaki sauce. This easy, hands-off recipe is perfect for stress-free weeknight dinners, meal prep, and customizable to suit your taste and dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1.5 to 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts

Teriyaki Sauce

1/2 cup soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon ground garlic)
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/4 cup water or chicken broth

Thickening Slurry

1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey or maple syrup, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and water or chicken broth until well combined. This mixture is the heart of your Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki and sets the tone for all the flavor to come.
Arrange the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs or breasts neatly in a single layer inside the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and maximum sauce absorption.
Pour the Sauce Over the Chicken: Slowly pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the chicken, coating each piece generously to ensure every bite is packed with sweet and savory flavors.
Cook Low and Slow: Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 4 to 6 hours. This slow cooking process makes the chicken tender and allows the sauce to fully penetrate the meat.
Thicken the Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it and keep warm. Mix the cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy teriyaki glaze.
Combine and Serve: Return the chicken to the thickened sauce, coating each piece thoroughly before serving to complete the classic Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki experience.

Notes

Choose the right cut: thighs yield juicier results while breasts provide a leaner option, both work well.
Don’t overcrowd the slow cooker to allow the sauce to circulate for even flavor distribution.
Use fresh garlic and ginger for more vibrant flavor compared to powdered versions.
Adjust the sweetness by tasting the sauce before cooking and adding more sugar or honey as preferred.
Thicken the sauce only after slow cooking for the best texture and glaze finish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 850 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 100 mg

Keywords: slow cooker chicken teriyaki, easy chicken recipes, teriyaki sauce, meal prep, gluten free chicken, slow cooker dinners