I threw this Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken together on one of those chaotic Tuesdays when I forgot to defrost dinner—but somehow, it turned into a family favorite. The sauce is sticky-sweet with a little tang, and the chicken? Fall-apart tender. Honestly, it’s one of those meals that feels like you tried (a lot) harder than you did.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
This recipe is a total lifesaver on busy days and still manages to taste like you ordered from your favorite takeout spot—but healthier and way more affordable. Here’s why it’s a keeper:
- Hands-off cooking. Just toss everything in and let the slow cooker work its magic.
- Kid-approved. Sweet, sticky, and not too spicy—my little ones devour it.
- Great for meal prep. It reheats beautifully, and the flavors deepen overnight.
- Customizable. Serve it over rice, tuck it in lettuce wraps, or add your favorite veggies.
- Made with pantry staples. No weird ingredients—just stuff you probably already have.
If you’ve ever wanted a dinner that’s comforting, craveable, and doesn’t require you to babysit the stove—this Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken has your name all over it.
Print
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken (Easy, Flavor-Packed Dinner)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is tender, sweet, and fall-apart delicious. Made with pantry staples and a glossy homemade sauce, it’s the perfect weeknight comfort food you can prep in minutes.
Ingredients
1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp minced ginger
¼ cup honey
3 tbsp brown sugar
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 tbsp rice vinegar
¼ cup cold water
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp sesame seeds (garnish)
2 tbsp sliced green onions (garnish)
Instructions
1. Place chicken breasts in slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, whisk garlic, ginger, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
3. Pour mixture over chicken.
4. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5–6 hours.
5. Remove chicken and shred with two forks.
6. Strain sauce into a saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat.
7. Mix cornstarch and water into a slurry, stir into sauce.
8. Boil for 1–2 minutes until thickened.
9. Pour thickened sauce over shredded chicken and toss to coat.
10. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for extra flavor and juiciness.
Add stir-fry vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers in the last 1–2 hours.
Serve over rice, cauliflower rice, or in lettuce wraps.
Freeze leftovers in portions for up to 2 months.
Always check that internal temperature reaches 165°F when using frozen chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 227
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 542mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 72mg
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken recipe uses pantry staples and delivers big comfort:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts – juicy and lean, perfect for the slow cooker
- Minced garlic and ginger – bring that bold, savory heat
- Honey + brown sugar – sweet and sticky goodness
- Low-sodium soy sauce – rich umami flavor without too much salt
- Toasted sesame oil – adds warmth and nutty depth
- Rice vinegar – for balance and brightness
- Cornstarch + water – to thicken that sauce to glossy perfection
Ingredient Substitutions & Add-Ins
Make your Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken your own:
- Swap in chicken thighs for extra moisture and flavor
- Use coconut aminos if you need a soy-free version
- Add pineapple chunks, snap peas, or bell peppers during the last 1–2 hours of cooking
- Double the honey and skip the brown sugar if you want to stick with natural sweeteners
How to Make Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
The magic of Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is that it feels like takeout but takes almost no effort:
- Place chicken breasts in your slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk garlic, ginger, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
- Pour that over the chicken, cover, and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5–6 hours.
- Once the chicken is tender, remove it and shred it using two forks.
- Strain the sauce into a small saucepan. Simmer it over medium-high heat.
- Stir in a cornstarch slurry (just water + cornstarch) and let it boil for a minute or two until thick.
- Pour that luscious, thickened teriyaki sauce back over the shredded chicken.
Toss it all together, and you’ve got seriously the best Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken for any night of the week.
Serving Suggestions
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is versatile enough for whatever you’ve got on hand:
- Serve it over white rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice
- Tuck it into lettuce wraps for a low-carb option
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions, or chili flakes for extra zing
- Use leftovers for teriyaki chicken rice bowls or sandwiches
This recipe is one of those flexible weeknight wins that adapts to what you need.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Tips
Got leftovers? Great—Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is even better the next day:
- Keep in the fridge up to 4 days
- Freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months
- Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water to loosen the sauce
FAQs
Can I add vegetables to the crockpot with the chicken?
Yes, just add them in the final 1–2 hours to avoid sogginess. Broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas are excellent choices.
Can I make this with frozen chicken?
Preferably thaw it first for food safety, but if using frozen, cook longer and check that it reaches 165°F. See these Food safety tips for using slow cookers.
Is Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken healthy?
Yes! Use lean meat like chicken breast, natural sweeteners, and low-sodium soy sauce for a healthier version of this comfort classic.
More Crockpot Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
Ready for more cozy, slow-cooked dinners? Try:
- This creamy 4-ingredient crockpot garlic parmesan chicken
- Sweet and spicy Sweet chili chicken with a sticky glaze
- Or the satisfying Street corn chicken rice bowl for weeknight dinners
Want to try your own twist on the sauce? Check out this Authentic Japanese teriyaki sauce recipe. And if your sauce turns out thin, this guide on How to properly thicken sauces with cornstarch is super helpful.