Description
This Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken recipe offers a delicious and easy way to enjoy tender, flavorful chicken thighs slow-cooked in a rich homemade teriyaki sauce. Perfect for a hassle-free weeknight dinner, the chicken is cooked low and slow, then shredded and tossed in a thickened sweet and savory sauce. Garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, this dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles for a comforting Asian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Thickening & Garnish
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the bottom of the crockpot, spreading them out evenly to ensure even cooking.
- Make the teriyaki sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper until well combined.
- Cook the chicken: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken thighs in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the crockpot and shred it into bite-sized pieces or slice as preferred; set aside.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the sauce left in the crockpot. Cover and cook on high for another 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to a glossy consistency.
- Combine and garnish: Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and toss it in the thickened teriyaki sauce to coat thoroughly. Garnish with optional sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
- Serving suggestion: Serve the crockpot teriyaki chicken over steamed rice or your choice of noodles, accompanied by stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For best flavor and tenderness, use chicken thighs rather than breasts, though breasts can be substituted if preferred.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Pair with stir-fried or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Ensure not to skip the thickening step for a perfect, glossy teriyaki sauce texture.
