Get ready to ditch the takeout menus for good. This Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken recipe delivers incredibly tender, juicy chicken smothered in a thick, glossy, and deeply flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it meal that requires minimal effort for maximum flavor, making it the perfect weeknight dinner solution for busy families.
We’re skipping the bottled stuff and whipping up a simple, 5-minute teriyaki sauce from scratch. The difference in taste is unbelievable, and it’s made with pantry staples you probably already have. Let your slow cooker do all the work, and come home to a delicious, savory meal that the whole family will love.
Why This Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe Works
This isn’t just another slow cooker recipe; it’s a game-changer for weeknight meals. Its simplicity and incredible flavor are what make it a staple in our home.
- Effortless Preparation: With just 10 minutes of prep time, this dish is a lifesaver. You can get everything in the crockpot in the morning and have a hot, delicious meal waiting for you at dinnertime.
- Better-Than-Takeout Flavor: Our simple homemade teriyaki sauce is the star. It’s a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy, without the extra preservatives and sodium found in many store-bought sauces.
- Perfectly Tender Chicken: The slow cooking process breaks down the chicken until it’s perfectly tender and shreds effortlessly. It soaks up all the flavor from the sauce, ensuring every bite is delicious.
- Versatile and Family-Friendly: This recipe is a certified crowd-pleaser. It’s mild enough for kids to enjoy but packed with enough flavor for adults to crave. Serve it over rice, with noodles, or in wraps.
The 5-Minute Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
The secret to the best Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is a fantastic sauce. While bottled sauces are convenient, making your own is incredibly easy and elevates the dish to a whole new level. Our sauce is built on a foundation of classic, simple ingredients that create a perfectly balanced flavor.
You’ll combine low-sodium soy sauce for that savory, umami base, honey for a touch of natural sweetness, and rice vinegar for a subtle tang that cuts through the richness. Freshly minced garlic and ginger provide an aromatic kick, and a bit of sesame oil adds a nutty depth. The final touch is a cornstarch slurry, which transforms the sauce into a thick, glossy glaze that clings perfectly to the chicken.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
- Chicken: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- Onion: 1/2 medium onion, diced.
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced.
- Ginger: 1 tablespoon fresh, grated.
For the Homemade Teriyaki Sauce:
- Soy Sauce: 1/2 cup, low sodium.
- Honey: 1/4 cup. You can substitute with maple syrup or brown sugar.
- Rice Vinegar: 2 tablespoons.
- Sesame Oil: 1 teaspoon.
- Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons.
- Water: 1/4 cup, cold.
- Optional Garnish: Toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
How to Make Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
Making this delicious meal is as simple as it gets. Just follow these easy steps for perfect results every time.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker or use a liner for easy cleanup. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the teriyaki sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Set aside.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour the remaining liquid from the crockpot into a small saucepan over medium-high heat. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the saucepan, whisking constantly. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, until it has thickened to a glaze-like consistency.
- Combine and Serve: Return the shredded chicken to the empty crockpot. Pour the thickened teriyaki sauce over the chicken and stir to combine. Serve warm, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Tips for the Juiciest Chicken
For the best results, here are a few simple tips to ensure your chicken is moist and flavorful every time.
- Choose the Right Cut: While chicken breasts work well, chicken thighs are more forgiving in the slow cooker and tend to stay juicier due to their higher fat content.
- Don’t Overcook: Every slow cooker is different. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the recommended cooking time to prevent the chicken from becoming dry.
- Cook from Raw: There is no need to pre-cook the chicken. Placing it in the crockpot raw allows it to gently cook and absorb all the flavors of the sauce.
What to Serve with Teriyaki Chicken
This versatile Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are a few of our favorite serving suggestions:
- Steamed Rice: Classic white or brown rice is perfect for soaking up the delicious teriyaki sauce.
- Steamed Vegetables: A side of steamed broccoli, green beans, or a medley of vegetables adds a healthy and colorful touch. For an even easier meal, try our Roasted Delicata Squash.
- Noodles: Serve over soba, udon, or even spaghetti noodles for a fun twist.
- Wraps or Sliders: Use the shredded chicken to make flavorful lettuce wraps or serve on slider buns for a great party appetizer.
Variations and Add-ins
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Feel free to get creative and add your own touch!
- Add Pineapple: For a sweet and tangy twist, add a can of pineapple chunks (drained) during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Extra Veggies: Bulk up the meal by adding sliced bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snap peas to the crockpot during the final hour of cooking.
- Other Proteins: This sauce works wonderfully with pork tenderloin or beef as well. If you enjoy slow-cooked meats, our Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is another must-try.
Storing and Reheating
This Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken makes for fantastic leftovers. Store any extra chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, simply microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through, or gently heat in a saucepan over low heat. The sauce may thicken in the fridge, but it will loosen up again once warmed.
For another delicious and easy-to-store meal, check out our popular Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole.
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken FAQs
Yes! This is a great recipe for adding veggies. For best results, add heartier vegetables like broccoli florets or sliced bell peppers during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking so they don’t become too soft.
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, you can substitute the homemade sauce ingredients with about 1.5 cups of your favorite bottled teriyaki sauce. However, we highly recommend trying the simple homemade version for the best flavor.
The best way to thicken the sauce is to remove the cooked chicken, pour the remaining liquid into a saucepan, and whisk in a cornstarch slurry (2 tablespoons cornstarch + 1/4 cup cold water). Simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens into a beautiful glaze.
This recipe is a healthy dinner option. It uses lean protein and a homemade sauce, which allows you to control the sugar and sodium content—unlike many store-bought sauces. Serve it with brown rice and steamed vegetables for a well-balanced meal.
Both work wonderfully in this recipe. Chicken thighs have a bit more fat, which makes them extra juicy and forgiving in the slow cooker. Chicken breasts are a leaner option and are still incredibly tender when cooked on low.
More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
We hope you love this easy and delicious Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken! It’s a recipe that proves homemade can be just as simple as takeout, and ten times more satisfying. If you tried this recipe, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and a rating below to let us know how it turned out.
For more simple and flavorful recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest. Your next favorite dinner is just a pin away!
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken (Easy & Better Than Takeout!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker or use a liner. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil.
- Pour the teriyaki sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Set aside.
- Pour the remaining liquid from the crockpot into a small saucepan over medium-high heat. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the saucepan, whisking constantly. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, until it has thickened.
- Return the shredded chicken to the empty crockpot. Pour the thickened teriyaki sauce over the chicken and stir to combine. Serve warm, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Make it a Meal: Serve over steamed rice with a side of roasted broccoli for a complete and balanced dinner.
