Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

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Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs are a delicious and easy way to make a flavorful meal with minimal effort. Make this homemade teriyaki sauce to put on everything.

Crock pot Teriyaki chicken thighs with rice and chopsticks.

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Crock Pot/ Slow Cookers

Slow cookers, also known as crock pots, offer many benefits including less electricity usage than traditional ovens, the convenience of not having to check the food’s progress regularly, and a budget-friendly alternative to preparing food in bulk. Slow cookers make it possible to create tasty meals with greater ease.

Why This Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Recipe is a Keeper

Not only are these Teriyaki Chicken Thighs so juicy, they are 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.

  • 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. Try this recipe for teriyaki salmon too.
  • Versatile: Teriyaki tender Chicken goes great with so many things, such as white rice, noodles, or vegetable stir-fry.

If you’re looking for more crockpot inspired recipes, try these: Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas, Crock Pot Sticky Chicken and Crock Pot Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

Is homemade teriyaki sauce hot?

Chopsticks picking up the dish.

It can be but does not have to be. Teriyaki sauce is a Japanese condiment that is typically sweet and savory. It can also be spicy depending on the ingredients. Some recipes add chili flakes, chili garlic paste, or other hot spices to give the sauce a kick of heat.

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Ingredient Notes for Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Chicken Thighs, sauce, garlic and vegetables.
  • Use Boneless Chicken thighs: While you can use the bone-in chicken thighs. I prefer using the boneless It is easier to shred the chicken.
  • Homemade Teriyaki Sauce: Of course you can use store bought sauce but this sauce is so easy to make yourself. Serve the sauce over the top of rice or noodles.
  • Cornstarch: Use cornstarch to thicken your sauce.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Variations and Substitutions for Teriyaki Recipe

You make these juicy chicken thighs several different ways and pour the teriyaki sauce over the top and toss to coat.

  • Regular Soy Sauce: I used low-sodium soy sauce so I can control the salt in this easy and delicious recipe. The low sodium soy sauce has the same exceptional flavor as the regular.
  • Rice Wine Vinegar: Use this to thin the sauce. If you like a more savory teriyaki sauce in place of sweet to pour over chicken and to serve over rice.
  • Cooking variation: Make this slow cooker recipe in the instant pot or on the stove top.

Special Equipment Needed for this Asian Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe

This is one of the best slow cooker meals. You will make teriyaki chicken in the slow cooker often and will become part of your recipe rotation.

  • Crock Pot: With the variety of different sizes and features you are sure to find the perfect one for your family.

How to Make Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

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.

These are the basic steps for making slow cooker chicken teriyaki thighs. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Learn how to create delicious Teriyaki Chicken Thighs in the crock pot.

STEP 1: Make the Teriyaki Sauce

First, in small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients: Soy sauce, brown sugar, and honey, garlic, black pepper, ginger, and white vinegar.

STEP 2: Add the Chicken to the Crockpot and Cook Time

Add the chicken and pour over the teriyaki sauce. 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.

Adding the ingredients to the pot.

STEP 3: Shred Chicken

Next, remove chicken from the crock pot using a slotted spoon. Then, shred chicken using 2 forks, and set aside.

Finishing the Chicken Thighs in a slow cooker.

STEP 4: Pour the Sauce and Garnish

Pour the remaining teriyaki sauce in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Make a slurry by combining cornstarch and water. Then add to the sauce. Allow to simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes. Next remove from heat and pour on to the shredded chicken. Serve crock pot teriyaki chicken thighs immediately for best taste. Finally, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Recipe FAQs for Chicken Thighs in the Slow Cooker

Reheat slow cooked teriyaki chicken in a small saucepan on the stove top, or heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until hot.

Serve crock pot teriyaki chicken thighs with white rice and vegetables, such as broccoli, mushrooms, eggplant, or snap peas.

Yes, you can make this recipe with frozen chicken, you will have to adjust your cook time until chicken is tender and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.

Crock Pot Chicken Teriyaki thighs with rice and chopsticks.

Expert Tips for Making This Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Making crock pot teriyaki chicken is a revelation. The chicken comes out tender and juicy, and it is so easy to throw together. I highly recommend this great recipe.

  • Add Chicken Breasts instead of Thighs: Chicken breasts will work just as well for this recipe.
  • Sear the Raw Chicken thighs: 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.
  • Too thick: If sauce is too thick add a little water until smooth.
  • Make Extra Sauce: The sauce is wonderful to serve it over rice, and is perfect for when reheating the dish. Double it so you have extra!

What to Serve with Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

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Crock pot Teriyaki chicken thighs with rice and chopsticks.
5 from 8 votes

Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Yield: 6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 10 minutes
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.
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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
  • 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

Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 855mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
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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Course: dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: American

This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe.  I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.

4 thoughts on “Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs”

  1. 5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    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!

    Reply

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