The Coziest Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki Recipe for Busy Days

Crafting an incredible slow cooker chicken teriyaki brings comfort right to your dining table.

Tender meat absorbs rich, sweet-savory flavors during its long, gentle cooking process.

Japanese-inspired meals often seem complicated, but this recipe simplifies complex tastes into something wonderfully accessible.

Minimal ingredients combine to create maximum deliciousness without hours of kitchen labor.

Busy home cooks appreciate straightforward techniques that deliver restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Fragrant spices and simple techniques promise a meal that will impress everyone around your table.

Your family might just request this dish on repeat.

How to Store Teriyaki Chicken Properly

• Store leftover chicken teriyaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Seal tightly, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle with a tablespoon of water to prevent drying. Cover and heat on 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even warming.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of other chicken cuts?

Yes, chicken breasts work perfectly for this teriyaki recipe and will cook tender and juicy in the slow cooker.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not automatically. Use gluten-free soy sauce to make the entire dish gluten-free. Regular soy sauce contains wheat.

• How spicy is this teriyaki chicken?

This recipe is mild and not spicy. The flavor profile is sweet and savory with no heat. If you want spice, add red pepper flakes or sriracha.

• Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep the ingredients the night before, store them in the slow cooker insert in the refrigerator, and start cooking in the morning.

Sweet and Savory Chicken Teriyaki Magic

• Simplify Weeknight Dinners: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic, creating a hassle-free meal that saves precious cooking time and energy.
• Boost Flavor Easily: The combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger creates a rich, tangy teriyaki sauce that infuses the chicken with incredible depth and taste.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This recipe transforms into excellent leftovers, making it ideal for preparing lunches or dinners in advance with minimal additional effort.
• Healthy Low-Carb Option: Serving over cauliflower rice adds nutrition and keeps the meal light, making it perfect for anyone watching their carbohydrate intake or seeking a healthier alternative.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

• Chicken: A tender protein that serves as the primary base for this teriyaki dish.

• Soy Sauce: Provides a rich, salty umami flavor that is essential to the teriyaki profile.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a subtle tangy brightness to balance the sauce.
• Garlic: Brings a pungent and aromatic depth to the overall flavor.
• Ground Ginger: Contributes a warm, slightly spicy note characteristic of Asian cuisine.
• Warm Water: Helps to thin and distribute the sauce evenly throughout the chicken.

• Green Onions: Fresh, crisp topping that adds a light, sharp flavor and visual appeal.
• Cauliflower Rice: A low-carb alternative to traditional rice that provides a light, neutral base for the teriyaki chicken.

Step-by-Step Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Base

Place chopped chicken pieces evenly across the bottom of a 4-quart slow cooker, ensuring they are spread out for consistent cooking.

Step 2: Create Flavor Marinade

• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Ground ginger

Pour this zesty marinade directly over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat. Allow chicken to cook gently for 4-5 hours until meat becomes incredibly tender and fully cooked through.

Step 4: Build Silky Sauce

After chicken finishes cooking, remove meat from the slow cooker. While the appliance remains warm, slowly incorporate warm water into the existing cooking liquid, stirring carefully to create a smooth, rich sauce.

Step 5: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return chicken pieces back into the slow cooker, gently stirring to coat every morsel with the luscious teriyaki sauce.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

Serve succulent chicken over riced cauliflower, sprinkling freshly chopped green onions on top for a burst of color and added flavor.

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Teriyaki

• Cut chicken into uniform chunks to ensure even cooking and maintain moisture throughout the slow cooking process.
• Add a splash of mirin or sake for an authentic teriyaki taste that elevates the overall dish's complexity.
• If sauce seems thin, mix cornstarch with cold water and stir into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking to thicken.
• Swap rice cauliflower with zucchini noodles or spiralized vegetables for a lighter, low-carb meal option.
• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or dinner rotations.

Variations to Enhance Teriyaki Flavor

• Spicy Teriyaki Kick: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the original sauce mixture for a fiery flavor boost.
• Pineapple Paradise: Mix in fresh diced pineapple chunks during the last hour of cooking for a tropical sweet-tangy dimension.
• Ginger Sesame Fusion: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and extra fresh grated ginger for enhanced aromatic complexity.
• Veggie Power Bowl: Replace chicken with firm tofu or add mixed vegetables like bell peppers and broccoli for a plant-based protein alternative.

Ideal Pairings with Teriyaki Chicken

• Elevate Flavor Fusion: Complement this Chicken Teriyaki with vibrant pairings that dance on your palate.
• Craft a Crisp Sake Match: Select a chilled junmai sake with light, clean notes that cut through the teriyaki's richness, creating a balanced Japanese-inspired dining experience.
• Rice Sidekick Strategy: Opt for cauliflower rice for a low-carb base, but consider adding a small portion of jasmine or short-grain rice to absorb the delicious teriyaki sauce.
• Veggie Harmony Technique: Roast sesame-glazed broccoli or stir-fry bok choy as a side dish, echoing the Asian flavor profile and adding nutritious green elements to complete the meal.

Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Succulent slow cooker chicken teriyaki brings Japanese-inspired flavors straight to your kitchen with minimal effort. Tender chicken bathes in a sweet and savory sauce, promising a delightful meal you can easily create and savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped into bite-size pieces

Sauce Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) warm water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Aromatics and Garnish:

• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup (40 grams) green onion, finely chopped

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Instructions

1. Layer diced chicken evenly across the bottom of a 4-quart slow cooker.
2. Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and ground ginger in a separate mixing bowl, whisking until thoroughly blended.
3. Pour the seasoned liquid mixture directly over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Secure the slow cooker lid and set to low temperature, cooking for 4-5 hours until chicken reaches optimal tenderness.
5. Carefully transfer cooked chicken from the slow cooker onto a separate plate.
6. While the slow cooker remains warm, gradually incorporate warm water into the existing sauce, stirring to create a smooth consistency.
7. Gently return chicken pieces back into the teriyaki sauce, delicately tossing to ensure comprehensive coating.
8. Plate the sauced chicken atop riced cauliflower for a low-carb base.
9. Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions across the dish for a vibrant garnish and added flavor complexity.
10. Serve immediately while the teriyaki chicken remains warm and aromatic.

Notes

• Trim chicken pieces uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Adjust soy sauce sodium levels by using low-sodium soy sauce for heart-healthy meal preparation.
• Consider marinating chicken beforehand for deeper flavor infusion and more complex taste profile.
• Swap cauliflower rice with quinoa or brown rice for additional protein and nutritional variety.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours (or 5 hours)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 3 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg