The Best Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

There’s a comfort in the flavor of teriyaki—that perfect balance of salty, sweet, and savory that makes your mouth water. For me, that craving always hit hardest right around 5 PM, when the thought of stirring a complex sauce on the stove felt utterly exhausting. I used to rely on pre-made sauces or, worse, expensive restaurant meals to satisfy it.

One evening, staring at a package of chicken breasts and my trusty slow cooker, I decided to simplify the process entirely. I ditched the fancy stovetop reduction and tossed all the ingredients into the crock pot. The result? The most tender, deeply flavored Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken I had ever tasted. The low-and-slow heat transformed simple soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger into a thick, glossy glaze that clung to the chicken like a dream.

This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a way to reclaim your evening. This slow cooker chicken is now the cornerstone of my weeknight dinner routine, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that proves you don’t need complicated techniques to achieve takeout-level flavor. If you’re looking for the single best easy Asian recipe to add to your repertoire, stop searching. This is it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

In the vast world of crock pot recipes, this one stands out. It’s pinned, saved, and shared relentlessly because it speaks directly to the needs of the modern, busy cook. Here are the core reasons this recipe will become your new kitchen hero.

Time-Saving “Set It and Forget It” Ease

The number one reason people flock to the slow cooker is convenience. This Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken takes literally 10 minutes of prep time. You can assemble it before your first cup of coffee and walk into a home filled with the delicious aroma of dinner cooking itself. It’s the definition of a hands-off, easy weeknight dinner solution. When you see a result this flavorful with so little effort, you’ll feel like you cracked the dinner code.

A Superior Takeout Fakeout

Authentic teriyaki is all about the glaze—that sticky, shiny coat that melts in your mouth. Unlike store-bought sauces that can be thin or overly salty, the magic of the crock pot is that the sauce concentrates slowly, intensifying the flavor of the ginger and garlic. By thickening the sauce at the very end, you achieve a restaurant-quality “sticky chicken” glaze that is far healthier and more budget-friendly than any meal you’d order.

Versatility for Meal Prep Ideas

This recipe is designed to yield a generous batch, making it perfect for your meal prep ideas. The shredded teriyaki chicken holds up beautifully in the fridge, making it an excellent base for various lunches or dinners throughout the week. Whether you’re making teriyaki bowls, lettuce wraps, or quick salads, this recipe minimizes waste and maximizes efficiency. It’s a true budget-friendly meal.

Ingredients and Instructions: Building the Perfect Teriyaki Base

The key to great Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken is creating a balanced sauce that won’t separate or scorch during the long cooking time. Our simple mixture relies on kitchen staples to build a complex, deep flavor profile.

The Best Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

Slow cooker teriyaki chicken is made with tender shredded chicken breasts simmered in a homemade teriyaki sauce of soy, honey, and ginger. Finished with sesame seeds and green onions, it’s a simple yet flavorful Asian-inspired meal perfect over rice.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6 people

Course: Main

Cuisine: Asian

Calories: 227

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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

Equipment

• slow cooker
• mixing bowl
• whisk
• saucepan
• forks for shredding chicken
• strainer
• measuring cups and spoons

Method

 

1. Place the chicken breasts in a slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, ginger, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
3. Pour the soy sauce mixture over the chicken.
4. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5–6 hours.
5. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks.
6. Pour the teriyaki sauce from the slow cooker through a strainer into a saucepan.
7. Place the saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer.
8. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the water until dissolved, then add to the pan.
9. Cook for 1–2 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
10. Pour the sauce over the shredded chicken and toss to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

Notes

For best results, use low-sodium soy sauce to balance flavor. You can thicken the sauce further by simmering longer or add a dash of sriracha for heat. Serve over steamed rice or noodles and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

The Basic Instructions:

1. Mix Sauce: In the slow cooker, whisk together the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add Chicken: Place the cubed chicken into the sauce mixture and toss gently to coat every piece.
3. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5–2.5 hours. The chicken is done when it’s cooked through and easily pierced with a fork.
4. Thicken: Mix the cornstarch and cold water in a separate small bowl until smooth (the slurry). Turn the crock pot to the “High” setting. Pour the slurry into the sauce, stirring constantly for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns into a glossy glaze.
5. Serve: Let the chicken sit for a few minutes to allow the sauce to set. Serve over rice and garnish generously with sesame seeds and scallions.

Step by Step: Achieving the Perfect Sticky Glaze

The difference between watery teriyaki and truly spectacular, sticky teriyaki comes down to one simple step: the thickening process. I learned this the hard way after serving a few soupy chicken dinners. By following these detailed steps, you’ll get that perfect, irresistible coat every time.

Step 1: Pre-Sauce and Placement

Start by mixing your sauce components directly in the slow cooker before adding the chicken. This ensures the brown sugar dissolves fully, preventing any gritty texture. I use boneless chicken thighs for this recipe most often, as the higher fat content guarantees the most tender slow cooker chicken, but breasts work wonderfully too—just be mindful not to overcook them!

Step 2: The Gentle Cook

Resist the urge to lift the lid! Every time you check, you release precious heat and steam, slowing down the cooking and affecting the final texture. The low-and-slow method is what makes the sauce reduce subtly, concentrating the flavor of the ginger and garlic into a richer base. A typical 2-pound batch is ready in 3 hours on LOW, which is just enough time for the chicken to be fork-tender.

Step 3: Shred or Cube?

While shredding is great for tacos, for this Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken, I prefer to leave the chicken in cubes. The whole cubes offer a better texture and allow the glaze to coat the exterior more thoroughly, mimicking that restaurant sticky chicken look. If you used large pieces, remove them and cube them on a cutting board, then return them to the sauce.

Step 4: The Slurry Transformation (The Chef’s Secret)

This is the single most important step. When you add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed only with cold water), your sauce will transform from thin liquid into a gorgeous, thick glaze almost instantly. Make sure your crock pot is on HIGH and that you stir vigorously as you pour it in. Continue stirring for about one minute until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. This is the moment your teriyaki recipe goes from good to great.

Step 5: The Final Presentation

The last step is the garnish. Teriyaki is visual! The nutty aroma of sesame seeds and the fresh, sharp crunch of sliced scallions are mandatory. If you want to take it one step further, quickly sauté the chicken in a skillet for 30 seconds after it’s thickened—this adds a beautiful caramelization to the sticky glaze.

Variations, Serving, and Storage

This simple Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken recipe is a canvas for versatility. It’s an excellent candidate for expanding your meal prep ideas and customizing flavors.

Delicious Variations to Try:

• Spicy Teriyaki: Add 1 teaspoon of Sriracha sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other sauce ingredients for an extra kick.
• Pineapple Teriyaki: Substitute the water in the sauce with canned pineapple juice and add 1 cup of canned pineapple chunks during the last hour of cooking for a tropical sweetness.
• Veggie Loaded Teriyaki: For a complete, one-pot healthy dinner, add 1 cup of frozen broccoli florets, sliced carrots, or snap peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking. They will steam perfectly in the teriyaki sauce.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Easily make this recipe gluten-free by swapping out the traditional soy sauce for Tamari or certified gluten-free coconut aminos.¹

Serving Suggestions:

This flavorful slow cooker chicken pairs perfectly with these sides:

1. Classic Bowl: Serve over hot steamed white or brown rice with a side of steamed broccoli.
2. Stir-Fry Style: Toss with cooked lo mein noodles and a handful of stir-fry vegetables.
3. Lettuce Wraps: Use the shredded chicken inside crisp butter lettuce cups for a fresh, low-carb and healthy dinner option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Teriyaki Recipe

This Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken is proof that the simplest recipes are often the most profound. It takes the stress out of the dinner hour while delivering a deeply satisfying, sweet-and-savory flavor that rivals your favorite Japanese takeout spot.

By embracing this easy crock pot recipe, you’re making a choice for convenience, health, and flavor. It’s the perfect centerpiece for your next meal prep session and the answer to every frantic 5 PM question.

Go ahead, prep the sauce, set the timer, and relax. You’ve earned this delicious, low-effort win. Pin this recipe today and say goodbye to expensive takeout forever!