Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
A simple, flavorful Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken recipe featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs slow-cooked in a rich, sweet, and savory homemade teriyaki sauce. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners, meal prep, and versatile serving options like rice, noodles, or veggies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce)
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 to 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
Thickening Slurry
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Optional Garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth and well blended.
- Arrange the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs evenly in the slow cooker. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated to absorb all flavors.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through, allowing deep flavor infusion.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 15 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker to coat the chicken and sauce, letting it thicken to a glossy consistency.
- Final Touches: Gently stir to evenly distribute the thickened sauce. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving for added flavor and color.
Notes
- Choose chicken thighs over breasts for juicier, more tender results.
- Prep the sauce ahead of time and refrigerate to save time.
- Do not overcrowd the slow cooker; arrange chicken in a single layer.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli during the last hour to keep them crisp.
- Adjust honey and brown sugar to suit your preferred sweetness level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/5 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: slow cooker, teriyaki chicken, easy dinner, meal prep, slow cooker recipe, Asian chicken, healthy chicken recipe, gluten free option
Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/slow-cooker-teriyaki-chicken/
