Did you know 70% of home cooks search for easy weeknight dinners, making Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken a top pick? Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is a hands-off meal that builds flavor while you work or relax, with the keyword placed right up front for search clarity.
This guide is tighter than most, with tested timing, clear steps, and smart swaps so you avoid soggy veggies or bland sauce. For more protein-forward chicken ideas, see our high-protein chicken recipes that complement this dish.
What Is Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken?
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is chicken cooked low and slow in a savory-sweet teriyaki sauce, resulting in tender, shreddable meat and a glossy sauce. It’s ideal for meal prep and family dinners.
Compared to stovetop teriyaki, the slow cooker deepens flavor without frequent stirring. The low heat breaks down collagen in thighs, giving a rich texture that pairs well with rice or steamed vegetables.
Quick Facts about Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
- Typical cook time, 6-7 min on low, actually 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high for full tenderness.
- Protein source, chicken thighs give 23 g protein per 100 g cooked on average.
- Calories, variable by sauce, estimate 350 kcal per serving with rice.
- External reference for nutrient estimates: USDA.
Ingredients & Tools
Gather these staples before you start. Using thighs gives better texture than breasts for slow cooking, and basic tools keep prep quick and tidy.
- Chicken thighs, 900 g, boneless, skinless
- Teriyaki sauce, 240 ml, store-bought or homemade
- Garlic, 2 cloves, minced; ginger, 1 tbsp, minced
- Honey, 2 tbsp; bell pepper, 1 large, sliced; onion, 1 medium, sliced
- Slow cooker, 4-6 L capacity; two forks for shredding
Chef tip, use low sodium teriyaki to control salt and finish with a touch of toasted sesame oil for depth.
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 900 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs Gives better texture than breasts for slow cooking
- 240 ml teriyaki sauce Store-bought or homemade
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 large bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
Instructions
Preparation
- Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, arranging thighs in a single layer when possible for even cooking.
- In a bowl, mix together the teriyaki sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, and honey. Pour the mixture over the chicken, whisking until smooth.
- Add the sliced bell pepper and onion on top of the chicken, distributing the vegetables evenly.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender.
- Shred the chicken with two forks in the slow cooker and mix it with the sauce.
- Serve over rice and garnish with chopped green onions.
Notes
Nutrition
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these precise steps for reliable results every time. Each step shows the action and the expected result.
Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker.Action, arrange thighs in a single layer when possible. Expected result, even cooking and easy shredding after cooking.
In a bowl, mix together the teriyaki sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, and honey. Pour the mixture over the chicken.Action, whisk until smooth. Expected result, well coated chicken with balanced sweet and savory flavor.
Add the sliced bell pepper and onion on top of the chicken.Action, distribute vegetables evenly. Expected result, softened veggies that absorb sauce without becoming mushy.
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender.Action, set timer and resist opening the lid. Expected result, meat that pulls apart easily and a reduced, concentrated sauce.
Shred the chicken with two forks in the slow cooker and mix it with the sauce.Action, shred directly in the cooker to keep juices. Expected result, saucy, pull-apart chicken ready for serving.
Serve over rice and garnish with chopped green onions.Action, plate hot over steamed rice. Expected result, comforting, visually appealing serving with fresh garnish.
Variations & Substitutes
Adapt this recipe for diets and flavor preferences. Swaps change cook time and nutrition in predictable ways, described here so you can choose confidently.
- Low-sugar, use sugar substitute or reduce honey, lowers carbs and calories.
- Gluten-free, choose tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, same cook time, safer for celiac diets.
- Chicken breast, use 900 g but reduce cook time to 4-5 hours on low to avoid dryness.
- Spicy version, add 1 tsp chili flakes or sriracha, increases heat but not time.
- For a smoky twist, try a blackened chicken alfredo twist seasoning before slow cooking, it changes profile to bolder spices.
Mistakes to Avoid
Beginners commonly make preventable errors that affect texture and taste. Use this checklist to avoid them and rescue dishes when needed.
- Adding too much liquid, fix, reduce sauce by 25% or thicken after cooking with cornstarch slurry.
- Overcooking veggies, fix, add bell pepper in last 60 minutes for texture.
- Using low-quality sauce, fix, boost with fresh garlic and ginger for brightness.
- Shredding too early, fix, allow rest 10 minutes for juices to settle before shredding.
- Not seasoning, fix, taste and add salt or soy at the end for balance.
Storage, Reuse
Keep leftovers safe and tasty with these storage tips. Proper reuse turns dinner into quick lunches or new meals within days.
- Refrigerate in airtight container, up to 4 days, 4 C recommended fridge temp.
- Freeze portioned jars, up to 3 months, thaw overnight in fridge.
- Reuse idea, serve in bowls, wraps, or over roasted vegetables for 1 meal to 4 servings depending on portion size.
Related Recipes / See Also
If you love this, try our blackened chicken alfredo sauce for a creamy alternate, or explore other matching mains below.
- Pairing idea, check creamy white chicken chili ideas for a cooler weather menu.
- Mexican-style chicken nights, see best chicken enchiladas recipes for crowd-pleasers.
- High-protein swap recipes, look at our high-protein chicken recipes collection for more meal prep options.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is an easy, flexible dish that rewards patience with deep flavor and tender meat. This guide focused on timing, swaps, and common fixes so you get reliable results every time. In this guide, you’ll learn how to make, adapt, and store this favorite for busy nights and meal prep.
