Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

This Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken takes the stir fry favorite and gives it the low and slow treatment! Tender, juicy chicken breast and thigh meat are cooked in the crockpot with a sticky, sweet-and-savory sauce.

Teriyaki chicken is a favorite of mine—for evidence, see this Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich, Baked Teriyaki Chicken, and Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Pineapple Slaw. (Also see me at the mall food court when someone walks up to me with a tray of teriyaki chicken on toothpicks.) But I never thought to make it in the slow cooker until recently. Friends, I was missing out!

If you’re wondering how it works to cook teriyaki chicken in a crockpot, first, you have to let go of your idea of what teriyaki chicken is. This is not a stir fry—it’s more like Shredded Mexican Chicken. But instead of cooking in a Tex-Mex sauce, we use sweet, savory teriyaki sauce. 

While you could use a bottle of store-bought teriyaki sauce, it’s absolutely worth it to make your own. The fresh ginger and garlic give it a nice punch, and then you’re avoiding the corn syrup and preservatives in the bottled version. (It’s also incredibly easy—just a few ingredients and a few minutes of effort are needed to put it together.)

The finished chicken can be served over rice like a traditional stir fry, or you can tuck it into lettuce wraps, pile it on sandwiches, or add it to salads. 

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.

• Soy Sauce – You can swap in reduced-sodium if you need to, or tamari for a gluten-free option.
• Sweet Rice Wine – AKA mirin.
• Brown Sugar – Dark or light both work.
• Garlic and Ginger – These each add big flavor to the crockpot teriyaki chicken sauce.
• Cornstarch – For a sticky sauce that clings to the chicken.
• Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken thighs and breasts. If you have a preference for one over the other, you can use all breast or all thigh.

How to Make Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Here’s a summary of the steps involved in making teriyaki chicken in the slow cooker. The printable recipe card below has the full instructions.

1. Make the sauce. Combine the soy sauce, water, rice wine, brown sugar, garlic and ginger in a pan over medium heat; bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Thicken the sauce. Whisk cornstarch and a tablespoon of water in a small bowl, then whisk this into the sauce. Turn off the heat.
3. Assemble. Add the chicken to the slow cooker and pour the sauce over the top.
4. Cook. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
5. Finish. Remove the chicken and cut into chunks or shred with forks. Return to the slow cooker and cook for 30 minutes more, or until the sauce thickens.

Tips for Making Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

Follow these pointers for perfect teriyaki chicken in the slow cooker!

• Don’t skip the fresh ginger. Ground ginger is convenient, but it’s just not a good substitute—fresh ginger has more heat and more oomph. It really makes a difference here.
• Adjust the sweetness as needed. You can use less brown sugar for a sauce that leans a bit more savory.
• Add some garnishes. Sliced green onions and sesame seeds are perfect for garnishing this slow cooker teriyaki chicken.

How to Store Leftover Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Leftover slow cooker teriyaki chicken will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze the chicken in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave or in a skillet over medium-low heat.

What to Serve With Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

• How to Cook Jasmine Rice
• Yakisoba
• Asian Cucumber Salad
• How to Steam Broccoli
• Hibachi Fried Rice
• Easy Asian Slaw Recipe

More Slow Cooker Dinners

• Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
• BBQ Crockpot Ribs
• Slow Cooker Pork Chops
• Easy Crockpot Meatloaf
• Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
• Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
• Crockpot Mac and Cheese

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