Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
Crock pot teriyaki chicken has become a beloved dinner staple for busy households across the country. This easy-to-prepare dish combines tender, juicy chicken with a savory, umami-rich teriyaki sauce, all cooked to perfection in the convenience of your slow cooker. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing option for your next gathering, this recipe is sure to delight.
The beauty of crock pot teriyaki chicken lies in its versatility and the depth of flavor it achieves with minimal effort. The slow cooking process allows the chicken to become meltingly tender, while the teriyaki sauce infuses every bite with a wonderful balance of sweet, salty, and tangy notes. The result is a dish that’s both comforting and bursting with flavor – perfect for satisfying even the heartiest of appetites.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❓
What sets this crock pot teriyaki chicken recipe apart is its unbeatable combination of convenience and flavor. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep work, you can create a restaurant-quality meal that’s sure to impress. The slow-cooked chicken remains incredibly juicy and tender, while the teriyaki sauce develops a rich, caramelized texture that’s simply irresistible.
Beyond its delicious taste, this recipe also offers great versatility. Serve it over a bed of steaming white rice, toss it with fresh vegetables, or use it as a topping for salads or grain bowls. The possibilities are endless! Plus, the make-ahead nature of this dish makes it perfect for busy weeknights or meal-prepping, as you can easily assemble it in the morning and let the crock pot do the work while you go about your day.
🛒 What You Need to Prepare Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken ❓
• 1 cup teriyaki sauce (plus more for serving)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
The beauty of this crock pot teriyaki chicken is that most ingredients are pantry or freezer staples. The combination of savory teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, and aromatic garlic and ginger creates the Asian-inspired flavor profile that has made these types of recipes perennially popular.
📝 How to Make Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Step-by-Step ❓
• Step 2: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.
• Step 3: Once the cooking time is up, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce in the slow cooker and stir to combine.
• Step 4: Serve the crock pot teriyaki chicken over steamed rice, garnished with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and additional teriyaki sauce if desired.
⏱️ Timing Overview
• Cooking time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
• Total time: 6-8 hours
Compared to traditional teriyaki chicken dishes which can take up to an hour to prepare, this crock pot version saves you significant time while delivering similar flavors.
👩🏻⚕️ Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 6 servings):
• Protein: 32g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fat: 10g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sodium: 1,091mg
These crock pot teriyaki chicken provide approximately 64% of your daily protein requirements and 48% of your daily carbohydrate needs, making them not just delicious but nutritionally valuable as well.
🔄 Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
• Lower-carb version: Swap the brown sugar for a calorie-free sweetener like Stevia or Erythritol, and serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
• Dairy-free adaptation: Use a soy-based or coconut-based teriyaki sauce to make this recipe dairy-free.
• Added protein: Mix in cooked edamame or chickpeas to boost the protein content.
• Boost vegetables: Add sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or broccoli florets to the slow cooker for extra nutrition and texture.
These modifications can reduce calories by up to 20% or adapt the recipe for specific dietary needs without compromising the fundamental flavor profile of the crock pot teriyaki chicken.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
• Pair the teriyaki chicken with a side of roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or snow peas.
• Complement the dish with a fresh, crisp salad or a bowl of miso soup for a complete, well-balanced meal.
• For a casual gathering, serve the crock pot teriyaki chicken in lettuce wraps or slider buns, accompanied by pickled vegetables and a tangy slaw.
• Create an Asian-inspired platter with the teriyaki chicken, steamed edamame, and a selection of fresh fruit, such as pineapple or mandarin oranges.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Using a low-quality teriyaki sauce: The quality of the teriyaki sauce can make or break the dish. Opt for a sauce with a balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors, and avoid those with an overly strong vinegar or soy sauce taste.
• Skipping the sauce reduction: After the chicken is cooked, it’s important to return the shredded meat to the sauce in the slow cooker and stir to combine. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken, resulting in a more cohesive and flavorful dish.
• Serving the chicken without any accompaniments: While the teriyaki chicken is delicious on its own, it’s best enjoyed with a side of steamed rice, fresh vegetables, or a simple salad to create a complete and satisfying meal.
🧊 Storing Tips for the Recipe
These crock pot teriyaki chicken retain their quality remarkably well:
• Freezing unbaked: Prepare the raw chicken and sauce in the slow cooker, but do not cook. Freeze the mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking as directed.
• Freezing baked: Allow the cooked teriyaki chicken to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
• Reheating: Reheat the teriyaki chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of additional teriyaki sauce if needed to restore moisture and flavor.
❓ FAQs
Can I prepare the crock pot teriyaki chicken ahead of time?
Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. You can assemble the chicken and sauce in the slow cooker insert the night before, cover, and refrigerate until ready to cook. When it’s time to cook, simply place the insert in the slow cooker and turn it on. You can also freeze the uncooked chicken and sauce mixture for up to 3 months, then thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the thighs in this recipe. Keep in mind that chicken breasts may require slightly less cooking time, as they tend to cook faster than dark meat. Start checking the chicken for doneness around the 4-hour mark on low or the 2-hour mark on high, and adjust the cooking time as needed.
Is this recipe gluten-free or dairy-free?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, as it doesn’t contain any wheat-based ingredients. However, to make it dairy-free, be sure to use a soy-based or coconut-based teriyaki sauce, as some commercial teriyaki sauces may contain dairy products. You can also find gluten-free and dairy-free teriyaki sauce options at most well-stocked grocery stores.
Why is my crock pot teriyaki chicken coming out watery?
If your crock pot teriyaki chicken is turning out watery, there are a few possible reasons. First, make sure you’re using boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, as bone-in and skin-on chicken can release more liquid during cooking. Additionally, be sure not to overfill the slow cooker, as this can prevent the sauce from reducing properly. Finally, if the cooking time is extended beyond the recommended range, the excess liquid can cause the sauce to become thin and watery.
Can I add vegetables to the crock pot teriyaki chicken?
Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile and can accommodate a variety of vegetable additions. Try tossing in sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snow peas during the last 2 hours of cooking. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the vegetables are tender-crisp. You can also serve the teriyaki chicken over a bed of steamed vegetables for a complete, well-rounded meal.
Conclusion
These crock pot teriyaki chicken represent the perfect balance of convenience, flavor, and presentation. Whether you’re serving them as a weeknight dinner or as the centerpiece of a casual gathering, they’re sure to impress with their melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, umami-forward taste. The versatility of this recipe allows for countless variations to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, these crock pot teriyaki chicken demonstrate that sophisticated flavors don’t require complicated techniques – just quality ingredients and a little bit of care in the slow cooking process. So why not give this recipe a try and enjoy the delicious and hassle-free rewards of a perfectly cooked, teriyaki-infused chicken dish?
Print
Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
- Total Time: 6-8 hours
Ingredients
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup teriyaki sauce (plus more for serving)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Instructions
• Step 1: Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. In a medium bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring the pieces are evenly coated.
• Step 2: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.
• Step 3: Once the cooking time is up, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce in the slow cooker and stir to combine.
• Step 4: Serve the crock pot teriyaki chicken over steamed rice, garnished with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and additional teriyaki sauce if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: Americans
Keywords: Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
