Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken (or Sesame Chicken)
Description
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is a sweet, savory, and ultra-tender dish made with juicy chicken slow-cooked in a rich homemade-style teriyaki sauce. It’s an easy dump-and-go recipe that delivers restaurant-style flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for rice bowls, meal prep, or quick family dinners.
Ingredients Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs (900 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
Teriyaki Sauce
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup honey or brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 3 tablespoons water (slurry)
Optional Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Place chicken in the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Pour sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken and shred with two forks (or leave whole if preferred).
- Stir cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker sauce. Cook for 10–15 minutes until thickened.
- Return chicken to the sauce and mix well.
- Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- Chicken thighs give the juiciest results.
- Sauce thickens more as it cools.
- Adjust sweetness by reducing honey or sugar.
Tips
- Add broccoli or bell peppers for a full meal.
- Double the sauce if you like extra coating.
- Serve with jasmine rice or noodles for best flavor.
Servings
6 servings
Nutritional Info (Approx. Per Serving)
- Calories: 340
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fat: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
Benefits
- High in protein
- Easy slow cooker meal
- Better-than-takeout flavor
- Great for meal prep
- Family-friendly and versatile
Q&A
Can I use chicken breasts?
Yes, but thighs stay more tender.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Use the cornstarch slurry method included in the recipe.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, freeze for up to 3 months.
What goes well with it?
Rice, noodles, steamed vegetables, or stir-fried greens