Are you craving a meal that’s packed with flavor but takes minimal effort? Look no further than this incredibly simple Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken recipe. We’re making a fantastic homemade teriyaki sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into something truly special. The magic of your slow cooker handles most of the work, letting you come home to a delicious, aromatic dinner without any fuss. This easy Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken will quickly become your new family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
This simple Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is a weeknight wonder for many reasons. It delivers on convenience, flavor, and versatility, making it a staple in any busy kitchen.
- Effortless one-pot meal preparation: Simply combine ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do the rest.
- Deep, rich homemade teriyaki flavor: Forget store-bought; our scratch-made sauce is irresistibly delicious.
- Highly customizable for various tastes: Easily adjust spice levels and add-ins to suit your family’s preferences.
- Perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights: Prepare it ahead of time for grab-and-go lunches or a quick dinner.
Ingredients
Making delicious Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken starts with simple ingredients you likely already have. You will need:
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup water
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (according to your tastes)
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3, or 700 grams)
Notes & Substitutions
You can easily adapt this slow cooker teriyaki chicken recipe to fit your preferences or what you have on hand. For even juicier results, consider using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts; the cook time remains similar. If you need a gluten-free option, swap low sodium soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. For alternative sweeteners, brown sugar or maple syrup work well in place of honey. Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to achieve your desired level of spice. If fresh ginger and garlic aren’t available, use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger respectively.
Equipment
You won’t need much specialized equipment for this easy Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken recipe. Gather these basic kitchen tools to get started:
- 2-4 quart slow cooker
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Meat thermometer
- Cutting board (optional)
- Two forks (for shredding)
Instructions
This Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken recipe comes together effortlessly, making it perfect for beginners. Just follow these straightforward steps for a delicious meal.
- In a large glass measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes. Adjust the amount of chili flakes according to your preferred spice level. This creates your flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce for the chicken.
- Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the bottom of your 2- to 4-quart slow cooker. Arrange them in a single layer if possible.
- Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce evenly over the chicken. Turn the chicken pieces to ensure they are thoroughly coated in the sauce. This helps infuse every bite with that rich teriyaki flavor.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook the chicken on the low setting for 3 hours. Always verify that a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This ensures the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Once cooked, you can either shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks, allowing it to soak up more sauce, or remove it to a cutting board to slice. Both methods result in tender, flavorful chicken.
- Taste the sauce and the chicken, then adjust any seasonings to your liking. You might want a little more soy sauce for saltiness or a touch more honey for sweetness. Serve the hot Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken immediately with your favorite sides.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve perfect slow cooker teriyaki chicken every time with these helpful tips.
- Preventing Dry Chicken: Avoid overcooking your chicken breasts by using a meat thermometer. Cook only until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then remove from heat.
- Thickening Sauce: If your sauce seems too thin, create a slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this into the slow cooker during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
- Flavor Balance: Always taste and adjust your homemade teriyaki sauce at the end. Add more honey for sweetness, soy sauce for saltiness, or red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
- Uniform Cooking: Ensure all chicken pieces are roughly the same size. This promotes even cooking throughout the slow cooker, preventing some pieces from drying out while others finish.
- Don’t lift the lid! Resist the urge to peek during cooking. Lifting the lid releases heat and can add up to 20-30 minutes to your cooking time.
Serving, Storage & Variations
This versatile Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is perfect for various meals and keeps well. Get creative with how you enjoy it.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy your savory Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken in many delightful ways.
- Serve it over fluffy white rice, nutritious brown rice, or fragrant jasmine rice for a complete meal.
- Add a healthy dose of steamed vegetables like vibrant broccoli florets or crisp snap peas alongside.
- Pair it with your favorite noodles or incorporate it into a quick stir-fry for an Asian-inspired dinner.
- Use the flavorful shredded chicken in wraps or add it to fresh green salads for a protein boost.
Storage Instructions
Properly store your leftover Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken to maintain its freshness and flavor.
- Refrigerate any leftovers promptly in an airtight container within two hours of cooking.
- The chicken will store well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
Freezing Instructions
Freezing is an excellent option for meal prep or saving portions of your slow cooker teriyaki chicken.
- Allow the cooked teriyaki chicken to cool completely before portioning it for freezing.
- Freeze it in an airtight freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months.
- Thaw the frozen chicken overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Variations
Get creative with your Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken and try these delicious variations.
- Pineapple Teriyaki: Stir in a can of drained pineapple chunks during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a sweet and tangy twist.
- Spicy Kick: Easily increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of sriracha to the sauce for an extra fiery flavor.
- Vegetable Boost: Incorporate hearty vegetables like bell peppers, sliced carrots, or onions into the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking.
Nutrition
Understanding the nutritional breakdown of your Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken helps with meal planning. Here is the approximate nutritional information per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 284 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Protein | 38 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.02 g |
| Cholesterol | 109 mg |
| Sodium | 966 mg |
| Fiber | 0.3 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 2 g |
| Serving Size | 1 serving |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1 g |
| Potassium | 732 mg |
| Vitamin A | 70 IU |
| Vitamin C | 3 mg |
| Calcium | 22 mg |
| Iron | 1 mg |
Easy Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Whisk together the soy sauce, water, honey, vinegar, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes in a large glass measuring cup.
- Place the chicken into a slow cooker, then pour the sauce over top and turn the chicken to coat.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3 hours, or until the chicken reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer.
- Shred the chicken in the sauce or remove it to a cutting board to slice.
- Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking before serving.
Notes
FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions about making this fantastic Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken.
Can I use frozen chicken?
No, you should always thaw chicken completely before placing it in the slow cooker. Cooking frozen chicken in a slow cooker can keep it in the “danger zone” for too long, promoting bacterial growth.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and often yield a more tender, juicy result. The cook time will remain approximately the same.
How do I make more sauce?
Simply double all the sauce ingredients to create extra delicious teriyaki sauce. This is great if you plan to serve it over a lot of rice or noodles.
Can I cook on high?
Yes, if you are short on time, you can cook the teriyaki chicken on the high setting. It will typically take about 1.5 to 2 hours until the chicken reaches 165°F.
Can I add vegetables to the crockpot?
You can definitely add hearty vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers. For best results, add them during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking to prevent them from becoming too mushy.
Conclusion
This easy Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken truly makes weeknight dinners a breeze, offering incredible flavor with minimal effort. The homemade teriyaki sauce combined with tender slow-cooked chicken creates a meal that tastes like it took hours, but only requires a few simple steps. We encourage you to try this delightful slow cooker teriyaki chicken recipe soon! If you give it a go, please share your thoughts and ratings in the comments below – we love hearing from you.
