Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is tender chicken breasts cooked low and slow in the Crockpot with a delicious homemade teriyaki sauce made with garlic, fresh ginger, soy sauce, honey, and mirin. Shred the chicken, soak it in the sauce, and serve over steamed rice, fried rice, quinoa, or in sliders for the most delicious family-friendly meal!

You can let this Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken simmer in the Crockpot all day, or you can have it ready to go in a couple of hours. This chicken dinner will please all your tastebuds.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

I personally love Chinese and Japanese foods, but there are a few other reasons you will love this recipe too!

1. 5 minutes prep time. You literally need just 5 minutes of prep time, it’s one of my favorite recipes to make on busy days.
2. It’s so easy to make. You basically throw a few ingredients in and let it cook for as long as you’d like.
3. Homemade sauce. The homemade teriyaki sauce is bursting with flavor. It makes it taste just like the restaurant style teriyaki chicken you love.
4. You can cook it while you’re at work. With the slow cooker, you can literally leave your chicken to cook while you’re at work.

Teriyaki Chicken Ingredients

Before you start pulling out the chicken, make sure you have all the ingredients you need:

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

• Chicken Breasts. You can use any kind of chicken you like, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts are much easier to shred.
• Honey and soy sauce. Honey mixed with soy sauce is what makes such a deliciously sweet and tangy flavor. For a gluten-free version of this dish, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in place of soy sauce.
• Mirin or Rice Vinegar. Mirin vinegar is more sweet whereas rice vinegar creates a sour tanginess flavoring. Choose your flavor.
• Toasted sesame oil. This oil is used as a flavor enhancer for this delicious cuisine.
• Garlic and Ginger. Add in some more flavor with minced garlic and grated ginger.
• Cornstarch and water. Once your chicken is cooked, you will want to thicken up your sauce with cornstarch mixed with a little bit of water.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki

The best thing about this recipe is how incredibly easy it is to make. All you need to do is toss all of the ingredients in the slow cooker, cover, cook, shred the chicken and serve! Just follow the simple steps below!

1. In a small bowl or jug, combine soy sauce, water, honey, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger, and give it a whisk.
2. Place the chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce you just made in the small bowl over the chicken. 
3. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 2-2.5 hours or on low for 6 hours. 
4. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F/74°C with an instant-read thermometer.
5. Take the chicken out of the crockpot and shred it. 
6. Remove the sauce from the slow cooker, strain it, and add it to a small saucepan. 
7. Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk together. 
8. On medium high heat, heat the sauce. Then, add in a cornstarch slurry. Bring the mixture to a boil, and whisk until the sauce thickens. 
9. Toss the shredded chicken in the sauce. 
10. Serve the extra saucy chicken with cooked jasmine rice, quinoa, brown rice, or fried rice and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken Tips and Tricks

Along the way, I have learned a few tricks and tips to make this recipe just perfect!

• Cook the chicken on low. Low and slow makes it so much easier to shred your chicken.
• You can cook it longer than 5 to 6 hours. If you have to work and need to leave it in your crockpot until you get home, your chicken will be just fine. 
• Don’t skip any ingredients. Its ingredient that is used brings out the full teriyaki flavor and is used to ultimately make the sauce. So, don’t think you can just not add one in.
• Add vegetables. You can definitely add some vegetables to this slow cooker chicken teriyaki, but keep in mind that vegetables will need to be added later in the cooking process not to get mushy.
• You can easily double the recipe. Feeding a crowd? Feel free to double the ingredients, but keep the cooking time the same.
• Like a sweeter teriyaki sauce? Add a tablespoon of brown sugar!
• Make Teriyaki Chicken Bowls by layering the cooked chicken on top of rice and topping with fresh veggies like avocado, shredded carrot, and edamame.

Storing Tips

Fridge: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.

Freezer: You can freeze the leftovers in a sealed container for 3-4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat in the microwave or cook in a saucepan for 10 minutes. You can also freeze uncooked teriyaki chicken, by adding all of the ingredients in a Ziploc bag, seal it and freeze for 3 months.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

I tend to serve white rice with my teriyaki chicken, but if you are feeling creative, here are some other side dishes you can make:

• Instant Pot Fried Rice
• Cream Cheese Rangoons
• Egg Roll in a Bowl

Other Slow Cooker Recipes to Try

I love my slow cooker because it makes cooking so easy! If you love your slow cooker as much as I do, here are some other slow cooker recipes to try:

• Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
• Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili
• Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
• Slow Cooker Carnitas

Did you like this slow cooker teriyaki chicken recipe? If so, please pin it to Pinterest for others to enjoy!