After a long day, the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours in the kitchen cooking dinner. Between work, errands, and family life, simple meals are a must—and that’s exactly where this Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken shines.
With just a few minutes of prep in the morning, your slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day. By dinner time, you’ll have tender, juicy chicken coated in a rich, homemade teriyaki sauce that tastes even better than takeout.
👉 It’s sweet, savory, and incredibly satisfying—perfect for busy weeknights!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- ⏱️ Set it and forget it – Let the slow cooker do all the work
- 🛒 Simple pantry ingredients – No special grocery trips needed
- 🍱 Better than takeout – Homemade flavor with less sodium and sugar
- 🍗 Super tender chicken – Slow cooking makes it melt-in-your-mouth
- 💸 Budget-friendly – Affordable ingredients that feed the whole family
🥩 Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1.5 lb chicken thighs
- ¾ cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1½ tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
For serving:
- Cooked brown rice
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions, sliced
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Make the teriyaki sauce
In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger until well combined.
2. Cook the chicken
Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over them.
- Cook on LOW for 4 hours or
- HIGH for 2 hours
Low and slow is best for extra juicy, flavorful chicken.
3. Shred the chicken
Remove the cooked chicken and shred it using two forks.
4. Thicken the sauce
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
Add the slurry while stirring and cook until the sauce thickens.
Stir in sesame oil.
5. Combine and serve
Return the shredded chicken to the sauce and toss to coat.
Serve over rice and top with sesame seeds and green onions.
⚠️ Tips for Best Results
- Don’t overcook the chicken—it can become dry
- Always mix cornstarch with cold water first to avoid lumps
- For extra flavor, sear the chicken before slow cooking
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels
🍽️ Serving Ideas
This teriyaki chicken pairs perfectly with:
- Steamed rice or noodles
- Broccoli, snap peas, or stir-fried veggies
- Cauliflower rice for a low-carb option
🧊 Storage
- Fridge: up to 4 days (store with sauce)
- Freezer: up to 3 months
- Reheat with a splash of water if needed
💡 Pro Tip
Make extra sauce—it’s so good you’ll want to drizzle it on everything!