If you are craving a dish that effortlessly blends sweet and savory flavors while filling your home with an irresistible aroma, this Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, the chicken absorbs every bit of that luscious teriyaki sauce, creating a meal that’s as comforting as it is delicious. Whether you’re a busy weeknight cook or someone who loves to prepare meals ahead of time, this recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with minimal hands-on effort. Once you try it, this cozy, crowd-pleasing dish will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays an important part in building layers of flavor and texture. From the sweetness of honey to the punch of soy sauce, each component is straightforward yet essential for that perfect balance you expect from teriyaki chicken.
- 2 pounds chicken breasts: Choose boneless for easy shredding and quick cooking.
- ½ cup honey: Adds natural sweetness to balance the salty soy sauce perfectly.
- ¾ cup soy sauce: The salty and savory foundation of the teriyaki sauce.
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar: Brings a subtle tanginess to brighten the sauce.
- ¼ cup mirin: A sweet Japanese rice wine that adds depth and richness.
- ½ teaspoon powdered ginger: A warm, slightly spicy flavor essential to teriyaki.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a mellow savory aroma without overpowering.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder: Enhances the sauce with subtle sweetness and body.
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper: Just enough to add a gentle kick.
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil: Infuses a nutty, toasty flavor signature to Asian dishes.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Mixed with water to thicken the sauce perfectly at the end.
How to Make Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Slow Cooker
Start by greasing the inside of your slow cooker with a light coating of oil or cooking spray. This simple step helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup so much easier after your chicken has soaked up all those fantastic flavors while cooking low and slow.
Step 2: Mix the Teriyaki Sauce
In the slow cooker, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, powdered ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and sesame oil. This combination of ingredients creates a rich, glossy sauce that will deeply penetrate the chicken as it cooks. Hold off on adding the cornstarch just yet—that will come later for the perfect finish.
Step 3: Add the Chicken
Place your chicken breasts directly into the slow cooker and turn them in the sauce to coat every bit. The chicken will slowly soak up all those teriyaki flavors, becoming tender and moist as it cooks. Distributing the sauce evenly ensures every bite is packed with that classic teriyaki taste.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook the chicken on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3 hours if you’re short on time. Either way, you’ll know it’s done when the chicken is so tender it easily shreds with a fork. This long, gentle cooking allows the meat to absorb all the sauce’s delicious nuances and results in melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Step 5: Prepare the Sauce
Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set it aside. Strain the remaining sauce into a saucepan to remove any bits, ensuring a smooth glaze. Meanwhile, shred the chicken using two forks to get that irresistible pulled texture.
Step 6: Thicken the Teriyaki Sauce
Mix the cornstarch with a bit of cool water until smooth, then stir it into the strained sauce in your saucepan. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens into a luscious glaze. This step gives your teriyaki chicken that perfect glossy finish that clings beautifully to every bite.
Step 7: Combine and Serve
Stir half of the thickened sauce into the shredded chicken to infuse even more flavor throughout. Reserve the remaining sauce to drizzle on top when serving, ensuring each plate shines with that savory-sweet glaze.
How to Serve Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe, finish with fresh garnishes like toasted sesame seeds or thinly sliced green onions. These simple additions add a lovely crunch and burst of color, making your dish look as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice, which soaks up every bit of the flavorful sauce. For a lighter side, toss together a crisp cucumber salad or quickly sauté some stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your family or guests? Serve the shredded teriyaki chicken over a bed of warm rice noodles or tucked inside soft steamed bao buns for a fun handheld treat. You can even pile it on whole-grain wraps with crunchy slaw for a delicious teriyaki chicken wrap that’s perfect for lunches or picnics.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover teriyaki chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually develop further over time, making the next day’s meal even tastier and convenient.
Freezing
If you want to save some for a later date, place shredded chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible. It freezes well for up to 3 months, making it a great make-ahead freezer meal for busy nights.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened in the fridge. Alternatively, use the microwave with short bursts to avoid drying out the chicken. Serve hot and enjoy just like freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe. They tend to be more tender and juicy, and the slow cooker will make them melt-in-your-mouth delicious just like the breasts.
Is mirin necessary or can I substitute it?
Mirin adds sweetness and depth, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can substitute with a dry sherry or a mix of sake and sugar. Just keep in mind that it slightly alters the flavor profile, but the dish will still be delicious.
How thick should I make the sauce?
The sauce should be thick enough to coat the chicken nicely but still pourable. The cornstarch slurry helps achieve that glossy, clingy texture that makes teriyaki so addictive. If it gets too thick, just whisk in a splash of water to adjust.
Can I add vegetables to the crock pot?
You can, but choose quick-cooking or sturdy vegetables carefully. Bell peppers, mushrooms, or snap peas added in the last hour of cooking can work well. Avoid delicate veggies that may become mushy during long cooking times.
What can I do with leftover sauce?
Don’t waste any of that flavorful sauce! Use it as a dipping sauce for dumplings, drizzle over steamed rice, or toss with roasted vegetables for an extra burst of teriyaki goodness anytime.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly satisfying about walking into your kitchen to find a pot of tender, flavorful chicken slow-cooking away, filling your home with cozy aromas. This Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe is not only simple but incredibly versatile and crowd-pleasing. Whether you’re feeding family, meal prepping for the week, or looking to impress at your next dinner, you simply can’t go wrong with this recipe. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
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Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-American
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken recipe offers a flavorful, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts slow-cooked in a savory and sweet teriyaki sauce infused with ginger, garlic, and sesame oil create a delicious dish that can be served over rice or with your favorite sides.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
Teriyaki Sauce
- 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 freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Thickening Agent
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)
- 2 Tablespoons cool water (to mix with cornstarch)
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Grease the slow cooker lightly to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup after cooking.
- Mix Sauce: Whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, powdered ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, freshly ground black pepper, and sesame oil directly in the slow cooker. Do not add cornstarch at this stage.
- Add Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker, coating them thoroughly with the sauce mixture to ensure even flavor throughout the cooking process.
- Cook Chicken: Cover and cook the chicken on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and can be easily shredded with a fork.
- Remove Chicken and Strain Sauce: Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and transfer them to a plate. Strain the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan, discarding any solids.
- Make Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cool water until smooth to create a slurry. Add this to the strained sauce in the saucepan.
- Thicken Sauce: Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Combine and Serve: Shred the cooked chicken using two forks. Mix half of the thickened sauce into the shredded chicken to infuse flavor. Reserve the remaining sauce for serving alongside or drizzling over the finished dish.
Notes
- For best results, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking and easy shredding.
- You can substitute chicken thighs if preferred for a juicier texture.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey according to taste.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.
- The reserved sauce makes a great dipping sauce or can be drizzled over rice.
- The slow cooker setting influences texture: low and slow cooking yields more tender chicken.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce.
