Slow cooker teriyaki chicken is chicken breasts cooked with garlic, ginger, soy sauce and honey, then shredded and drizzled with sauce. Serve over rice for an easy yet satisfying crock pot dinner!
I always order teriyaki chicken when I go to my local Japanese restaurant. This slow cooker recipe is SO simple to make at home and has all the same great flavors of the restaurant version.
Being able to throw a meal into my crock pot for dinner is something I have always been extremely thankful for. This slow cooker teriyaki chicken is one of my go-to dinner ideas because it’s quick and the entire family loves it. Plus, because it utilizes the slow cooker I can throw dinner on earlier in the day and forget about it.
HOW DO YOU MAKE SLOW COOKER CHICKEN TERIYAKI?
Thankfully, this teriyaki chicken is as easy as tossing all your ingredients in a crock pot and leaving it to cook. Chicken breasts are cooked with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey, then shredded before being drizzled with sauce. Serve your crock pot teriyaki chicken over rice and you’ve got a satisfying dinner!
Depending on your preferences, chicken thighs or breasts can be used to make teriyaki chicken. One of the best parts about this recipe is that it can easily be doubled to feed a crowd if need be. Not to mention, it only takes about 5 minutes of prep time which makes for a quick meal all the way around.
You can eat crock pot teriyaki chicken as is, but it’s best when served over steamed rice. If you love this slow cooker chicken teriyaki, you’ll also love this chicken teriyaki stir fry which has similar flavors but is ready in 30 minutes.
IS CHICKEN TERIYAKI HEALTHY?
Chicken teriyaki is made with mostly healthy ingredients. That being said, soy sauce is salty, and too much sodium is not good for you. Be sure to use a low sodium soy sauce in this recipe!
CAN YOU COOK RICE IN THE CROCK POT?
Yes, you can cook most things in the crock pot. However, you would have to cook it separate from the teriyaki chicken. Cooking rice in a crock pot makes it take much longer than just making it on the stove, however, it can be done if desired.
CAN VEGETABLES BE ADDED TO SLOW COOKER TERIYAKI CHICKEN?
Vegetables can definitely be added to this recipe. Most popular stir fry vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, snap peas, bell peppers, etc. can be added to this dish to personalize it. However, be aware, those most vegetables will need to be added later in the cooking process or they may get soggy.
If you’re dreading school because weeknight dinners are so stressful, I’m with you. However, I have started preparing for busy nights by pulling out as many slow cooker recipes as possible. I’m definitely adding this slow cooker teriyaki chicken to the weeknight dinner rotation!
MORE CHICKEN SLOW COOKER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
- Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
- Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Video
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in a slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, ginger, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce sesame oil and rice vinegar.
- Pour the soy sauce mixture over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or LOW for 8 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks.
- Pour the teriyaki sauce from the slow cooker through a strainer into a saucepan.
- Place the saucepan on the stove over medium high heat and bring to a simmer.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the water until dissolved.
- Pour the cornstarch into the pan and bring a boil. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until sauce has just thickened.
- Pour the sauce over the shredded chicken and toss to coat the chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, then serve.
Rebecca says
Could I possibly use regular sesame oil since I do not have toasted sesame oil? Not sure if there is a difference.
Sara says
Yes that’s fine!
NeeNee says
Good flavors but a bit too sweet for me. I will make it again but I will use less brown sugar and honey . I added book choy to the slow cooker for about the last hour and it was terrific. Probably didn’t even have to go that long.
Kara says
This sounds great! I have some ground chicken that I need to use. Do you think that would work?
Sara says
I don’t think ground chicken would be a good choice for this recipe as it won’t get tender and shred the way whole chicken pieces would.
Courtney says
This recipe is legit…..and I usually hate recipes. I’ve made this multiple times and every time I think “this is one of the best tasting things I’ve ever made”. When I’m not on a time crunch, I like to make this in the oven because I prefer chunks of chicken over shredded for something like this. But either way. 10/10. Will be a staple for my household for the rest of forever.
Shari Clement says
Can you leave out the rice vinegar if you don’t have any , can I use teriyaki sauce? Also how long for 2lbs of chicken breast?
Sara says
The teriyaki sauce is included in this recipe, so if you used store bought teriyaki sauce you’d be double saucing the chicken and it would be too salty. You could use half the amount of apple cider vinegar instead of rice vinegar.
Meaghan says
I have this is the slow cooker right now and it smells amazing! Does anyone happen to know how much is considered a serving? Thanks!
Sara says
1 1/2 cups!
Shellie says
Hello Mr I am going to be making this, This week. Can I use chicken tenderloins instead of Chicken Breast? I can’t wait to make this.
Sara says
Yes that’s fine!
Aly says
Hello! When is the best time to add broccoli or snap peas? Should they just be set aside with the chicken when shredding it?
Sara says
You can add them during the last hour of cooking or just steam and serve with the shredded chicken!
Els says
I made terryaki chicken
And i n thank you for sharing the recipe. Rverunn
Lucy says
Hi, can you freeze the teriyaki chicken once cooked, and reheat later? Thanks
Sara says
That should be fine!
AmyP says
Made it twice this week at hubbys request. Loved it. Thanks!!
Jeni says
I have a colander but not a strainer. Is there something else I can use or would the colander work?
Sara says
A colander should be ok if the holes are big you might want to line it with a paper towel so chunks of meat don’t fall through into the sauce!
Morgan says
Wow! My family had starting requesting this it’s so yummy even my picky eater loves it! Thank you!
Drifting Gypsy Designs says
SO YUMMY!!! This is restaurant good! This will be a monthly recipe in our home for sure. Thank you for teaching me how to make a thick teriyaki sauce! I could eat it with everything >> insert mouth watering emoji <<
Hannah says
Would love to make this recipe , I only hav ground garlic and ground ginger available – could I use this instead? If so , what would the measurements be ?!
Thank you !
Sara says
Yes use 1/3 of the amount for dried spices.
Terri says
Do you use frozen or thawed chicken?
Thank you
Sara says
Thawed chicken!
Jared says
3rd time making this recipe and I love it so much! Thanks for the post!
Cheryl Joyce Baker says
I was so excited to make this! It tasted so so good! Ill be cooking it again.
Shaelene says
can i use more brown sugar in place of honey? how much should i use?
Sara says
You would use a total of 6 tablespoons.
Crystal says
Can I use ground ginger?
Sara says
Yes that’s fine!
Rae Ann Martin says
This is amazing!! I used boneless skinless chicken thighs and they were to die for!! This recipe is going to be used often. Its quick and easy. Thank you for sharing!
Catherine Haywood says
I’m going to use boneless chicken thighs and add either broccoli or snap peas.