Teriyaki Chicken Recipe in Crock Pot: Easy, Juicy, and Flavor-Packed!
Teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot is one of those weeknight heroes I never get tired of. There’s something deeply comforting about the scent of a warm, saucy meal simmering all day, and it takes me right back to my early twenties. I didn’t grow up cooking, but I remember the first time I tossed some chicken, soy sauce, and garlic into my old slow cooker and hoped for the best. What came out was tender, flavorful, and surprisingly addictive.
That dish marked the beginning of my slow-cooking obsession. Over the years, I’ve played with a lot of variations, but this teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot is one I keep coming back to. It’s simple, bold, and completely foolproof. Just toss in your ingredients, set it, and forget it. By dinnertime, you’re greeted with juicy chicken coated in a glossy, sweet-savory glaze that tastes way better than takeout.
If you’ve already tried my crock pot recipes chicken teriyaki or loved the sweetness of my pineapple teriyaki chicken in crock pot, this version dials it back to the basics without sacrificing flavor. Think pantry staples, no complicated steps, and lots of saucy goodness.
Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal prepping for the week, or just want a cozy meal with zero stress, this recipe is about to become a regular on your menu. Let’s get into how to make it next!
Teriyaki Chicken Crock Pot: 1 Secret for Juicy Flavor
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place chicken into the crock pot.
- In a small bowl, mix teriyaki sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.
- Pour sauce mixture over chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- In the final 30 minutes, whisk cornstarch and cold water together. Stir into crock pot to thicken the sauce.
- Shred or slice chicken, return to sauce, and stir to coat.
- Serve hot over jasmine rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients for a Flavor-Packed Crock Pot Meal
One reason I love this teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot is that it calls for just a handful of basic ingredients, most of which you probably already have. It’s proof that simple really can be delicious. No fancy steps, no hard-to-find ingredients. Just a few pantry staples and some juicy chicken, and you’re on your way to a crowd-pleasing dinner.
You’ll need:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- ¾ cup teriyaki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup honey (adds sweetness and a glossy finish)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger (or ½ tsp ground)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (adds salty depth)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water (for thickening the sauce)
- Optional toppings: green onions, sesame seeds
- For serving: steamed rice or rice noodles
Want to make it even faster? You can swap in a pre-made teriyaki glaze and just enhance it with honey and garlic for more depth. If you liked my honey chicken teriyaki crock pot, this is another great variation.
Step-by-Step: How to Cook Teriyaki Chicken in Crock Pot
1. Layer the Chicken
Place the chicken in the bottom of your crock pot. Thighs give you a richer, juicier result, but breasts also work well, just don’t overcook them.
2. Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together the teriyaki sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Stir until smooth, then pour the mixture over the chicken.
3. Let It Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. The chicken should be fully cooked and tender enough to shred with a fork.
4. Thicken the Sauce
About 30 minutes before it’s done, mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir it into the crock pot. It will thicken into a glossy, rich sauce that coats every bite.
5. Shred, Serve, and Garnish
Shred or slice the chicken, then return it to the sauce and stir. Serve it over jasmine rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps. Finish with green onions and sesame seeds for that final touch.
This method is similar to my frozen chicken in crock pot, where the key is low-and-slow cooking and a quick sauce upgrade at the end.
Why Teriyaki Sauce Works So Well in a Crock Pot
There’s something magical about how this teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot comes together. The slow cooker does more than just cook your food, it allows every ingredient to mingle, deepen, and create bold layers of flavor you just can’t rush on the stovetop.
Slow Cooking Enhances Flavor
In a teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot, the long, gentle cooking time gives the sauce a chance to fully infuse the chicken. The sweet notes from the honey and teriyaki glaze combine with the saltiness of soy sauce and the bite of fresh garlic and ginger. As the chicken simmers, it soaks up all those flavors, turning incredibly tender and juicy.
And because the lid stays closed, nothing escapes. Every drop of that savory-sweet glaze stays locked in the pot, intensifying over time. That’s what makes crock pot meals like this one, and even my BBQ chicken with pineapple crock pot, so rich and satisfying.
Teriyaki Sauce Loves Low and Slow
The ingredients in teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and ginger, are perfectly suited for low-and-slow cooking. They don’t break down or burn; instead, they concentrate and cling beautifully to the meat. That’s why a teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot always tastes like it’s been cooked with way more effort than it actually takes.
What’s more, when you thicken the sauce at the end, you get that glossy, sticky finish that coats the shredded chicken just like your favorite takeout dish, only better and homemade.
Pro Tip: For extra depth, try using a splash of rice vinegar or a few drops of toasted sesame oil when mixing your sauce. Small tweaks can take your crock pot chicken from good to unforgettable.
Smart Tips & Tasty Variations for Teriyaki Chicken Recipe in Crock Pot
Once you’ve tried this teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot, you’ll see just how versatile it can be. With a few smart tweaks, you can adapt the flavor, texture, or heat level based on what your family loves, or what’s left in your pantry.
Tips to Make It Foolproof Every Time
Want the juiciest, most flavorful results? Stick with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They hold moisture better and are less likely to dry out during slow cooking, making them ideal for any teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot. If you’re using breasts, shorten the cooking time slightly and check for doneness around the 3-hour mark on HIGH.
Always add the cornstarch slurry near the end of cooking. Adding it too early will thin out the sauce and won’t give you that thick, glossy finish that makes this teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot so crave-worthy.
If you need to start with frozen chicken, that’s fine too, just adjust the cook time accordingly. I go over the safe method in my frozen chicken in crock pot guide.
And yes, it’s completely safe to put raw chicken in your slow cooker. The USDA confirms that as long as it reaches 165°F internally, it’s good to go. You can double-check that here on the USDA site for peace of mind.
Easy Variations & Serving Suggestions
Want to switch things up while keeping the heart of your teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot? Try these fun flavor additions:
- Add fresh pineapple chunks during the last hour of cooking for a tropical twist, just like in my pineapple teriyaki chicken in crock pot.
- Spice it up with red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha mixed into the sauce before cooking.
- Go low-carb by serving it over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps.
- Make it meal-prep friendly: Store individual portions with rice in airtight containers for up to 4 days. It reheats beautifully.
This teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot also makes a great freezer meal. Just add all ingredients to a freezer bag and freeze flat. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then cook as usual.
FAQs About Teriyaki Chicken Recipe in Crock Pot
How to cook teriyaki chicken in the slow cooker?
To make a flavorful teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot, simply place boneless chicken thighs or breasts in your slow cooker. Mix teriyaki sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce, then pour it over the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. In the last 30 minutes, add a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Shred the chicken, return it to the crock pot, and stir until evenly coated.
Is it okay to put raw chicken in a crock pot?
Yes, it’s completely safe to use raw chicken in a crock pot, as long as it’s cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. The USDA supports this method as long as you follow standard slow cooker guidelines. That’s why most teriyaki chicken recipes in crock pot begin with raw chicken; it absorbs more flavor this way.
Do you put teriyaki sauce on before or after cooking chicken?
In a classic teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot, the sauce goes in before cooking. This allows the chicken to soak up all the sweet and savory flavors throughout the slow cooking process. At the end, you simply thicken the sauce with cornstarch and water to create that signature sticky glaze.
What are the three ingredients in teriyaki chicken?
The base of any teriyaki dish includes soy sauce, sweetener (like honey or sugar), and aromatics (garlic and ginger). For a true teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot, we also add a splash of teriyaki sauce and a touch of cornstarch for thickening, keeping the recipe both flavorful and foolproof.
Conclusion
This teriyaki chicken recipe in crock pot isn’t just easy, it’s a total flavor win. Whether you’re feeding picky kids, meal prepping for the week, or just want to skip the oven, this recipe has your back. From the juicy, fall-apart chicken to the rich, sweet glaze, it delivers everything you crave with none of the stress.
You don’t need a pantry full of exotic ingredients. Just a slow cooker, a few basics, and a little time. And if you’re already a fan of my crock pot recipes chicken teriyaki or honey chicken teriyaki crock pot, this simplified version keeps the same warmth and flavor with even less work.
So go ahead, set it, forget it, and come home to a dinner you’ll actually be excited about.
