This savory, yet sweet Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs recipe makes for a tasty and healthy dinner, perfect to prepare ahead of time for busy weeknights.
Not only are these Teriyaki Chicken Thighs so juicy and exploding with flavor, this is also a nutritious and protein packed meal. Teriyaki chicken is tried and true, even your kids will love this recipe. Plus there is no need to break out a pan and bake in the oven or broiler. It is all done in the crock pot.
For more slow cooker chicken recipes you’ll check out this collection of slow cooker recipes.
MORE CROCK POT CHICKEN RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas | Crock Pot Sticky Chicken | Crock Pot Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken
What We Love About This Asian Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe
- Family Friendly: Your family is sure to love these Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs.
- Easy Prep: This teriyaki crock pot chicken recipe is so easy to prep, making it perfect to make in the morning on a busy day.
- Versatile: Teriyaki Chicken goes great with so many things, such as white rice, noodles, or vegetable stir-fry.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Not bone-in, boneless is best for this easy recipe.
- Soy Sauce: Regular or low salt varieties work in this recipe.
- Honey
- Brown Sugar: Light or brown sugar.
- White Vinegar
- Sesame Oil
- Garlic Cloves or Garlic Powder
- Dried Ginger: Fresh ginger is also great for this Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs.
- Black Pepper: to taste.
- Cornstarch: This is the thickening agent for the recipe.
Equipment Needed
- Crock Pot
- Saucepan
- Small Bowl
- Forks
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Meat Thermometer
- Slotted Spoon
How to Make Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
These are the basic steps for making Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and cook time.
STEP 1: MAKE THE TERIYAKI SAUCE
In small bowl, mix together the sauce soy, brown sugar, honey, garlic, black pepper, ginger, and white vinegar.
STEP 2: ADD EVERYTHING TO THE CROCK POT
First add the chicken and then pour over the teriyaki that you just made. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours. To ensure chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees.
STEP 3: SHRED CHICKEN
Remove chicken from the crock pot using a slotted spoon. Shred chicken using 2 forks and set aside.
STEP 4: THICKEN THE TERIYAKI
Pour the remaining teriyaki sauce in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Make a slurry by combine cornstarch and water, then add to the sauce. Allow simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat and pour on to the shredded chicken. Serve crock pot teriyaki chicken thighs immediately for best taste.
Prep and Storage Tips
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
This recipe is perfect to make a head of time in the morning before you head to work or dropping the kids off at school. You could also prepare the teriyaki sauce and chicken thighs in a plastic bag and leave in the fridge for 1-2 days.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-3 days.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
You can prepare this recipe in a freezer bag and store the raw chicken thighs up for to 9 months. Allow to thaw completely before transferring to the crock pot.
HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE
To reheat slow cooked teriyaki chicken, you can reheat in a small saucepan on the stove top or heat in the microwave for for 1-2 minutes or until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions about Slow Cooked Teriyaki Chicken
Slow cookers also known as crock pots are meant to slowly cook your food at a lower temperature for a longer period of time, where as pressure cooker (eg. Instant Pot) cooks food at a temperature higher than the boiling point, therefore it cooks food at at higher temperate for shorter amount of time.
You could also use turkey in place of chicken for very similar results.
This recipe can easily be doubled or halved, just increase or decrease ingredients proportionally.
Teriyaki chicken has a savory, yet sweet and tangy flavor.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Add Chicken Breasts for Thighs: Chicken breasts will work just as well for this recipe.
- Sear the Chicken: To ensure the chicken thighs stay juicy and moist while cooking, you can sear the chicken using a skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side to lock in the juices.
- Serve With: Serve crock pot teriyaki chicken thighs with white rice and vegetables such as broccoli, mushrooms, eggplant, or snap peas.
What to Serve with Teriyaki Chicken in Slow Cooker
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Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless chicken thighs, or boneless chicken breasts
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon dried ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup warm water
Optional garnishes:
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Add soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, white vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and black pepper to a measuring cup or small bowl and whisk to combine.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on the high setting for 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees F when fully cooked.
- Use a large slotted spoon to scoop out all of the pieces of chicken and place them in a serving dish. Use two forks to shred the meat and set aside.
- Pour the remaining sauce from the slow cooker into a medium saucepan on medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and warm water. Pour the mixture into the saucepan.
- Allow the sauce to come to a simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and pour the sauce over the shredded chicken. Toss to coat the chicken completely. Serve warm garnished with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
Expert Tips
- Add Chicken Breasts for Thighs: Chicken breasts will work just as well for this recipe.
- Sear the Chicken: To ensure the chicken thighs stay juicy and moist while cooking, you can sear the chicken using a skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side to lock the juices.
- Serve With: Serve crock pot teriyaki chicken thighs with white rice and vegetables such as broccoli, mushrooms, eggplant, or snap peas.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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This was a delicious and easy meal. Definitely going into our rotation!
Great recipe! Really loved the seasonings, turned out so flavorful! Thank you for sharing this recipe, looking forward for more! This is really highly recommended!
The whole family loved this easy chicken dish! The thigh meat was so flavorful and delicious.
Tried this yesterday, it was a crowd favorite! Thank you for the clear instructions Christina, the chicken thighs turned out to be flavorful. This is a new addition to my go-to recipe. YUM!