Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki is a simple and convenient way to prepare tender and flavorful chicken infused with a classic Japanese teriyaki sauce. This method allows the chicken to slowly cook and absorb the sweet and savory sauce, resulting in incredibly moist and flavorful meat that can be easily shredded or served as is. It’s a versatile dish that can be served over rice, noodles, or used as a filling for wraps and salads. The chicken, typically boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces or left whole, is placed in a slow cooker and coated with a homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce. The slow cooking process, usually over several hours on low heat, tenderizes the chicken beautifully and allows the flavors of the teriyaki sauce to deeply penetrate the meat. Teriyaki sauce is characterized by its balance of soy sauce (for saltiness and umami), sugar or honey (for sweetness), mirin or sake (for a subtle sweet and tangy flavor), and ginger and garlic (for aromatic depth). Some variations may also include sesame oil for a nutty aroma or a thickening agent like cornstarch to create a glossier sauce towards the end of cooking. As the chicken cooks in the slow cooker, it releases its juices, which combine with the teriyaki sauce to create a rich and flavorful braising liquid. The long, slow cooking ensures that the chicken becomes incredibly tender and easily shreds with a fork. Towards the end of the cooking time, the heat can be turned to high or the lid removed to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. The finished Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki is typically served hot, often garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added texture and visual appeal. It’s a hassle-free way to prepare a delicious and satisfying meal with minimal hands-on time, perfect for busy weeknights.
The texture of Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki is incredibly tender and moist, often to the point of being easily shreddable with a fork. The slow cooking process breaks down the muscle fibers in the chicken, resulting in a very succulent and yielding texture. The teriyaki sauce coats the chicken, creating a slightly sticky and flavorful glaze.
The flavor profile is a classic balance of sweet and savory, characteristic of teriyaki sauce. The soy sauce provides a salty and umami-rich base, while sugar or honey adds a significant sweetness. Ginger and garlic contribute a warm and aromatic depth. Mirin or sake adds a subtle sweet and tangy fermented note. The overall flavor is rich, slightly syrupy, and deeply infused into the tender chicken.
Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki is a versatile dish that can be served in various ways. It is commonly served over steamed rice or noodles (like udon or soba). Shredded chicken teriyaki is also excellent in wraps, sandwiches, or as a topping for salads and grain bowls. It makes a convenient and flavorful option for meal prepping as well.
The preparation of Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki involves placing chicken in a slow cooker with teriyaki sauce ingredients and cooking it on low heat for several hours until tender. The process typically begins by cutting boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized pieces or leaving them whole. These are placed in the bowl of a slow cooker. A teriyaki sauce is then made, either from scratch or using a store-bought version. A homemade sauce usually consists of soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, mirin (or rice vinegar with a pinch of sugar as a substitute), minced garlic, grated ginger, and sometimes sesame oil. This sauce is poured over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring all pieces are coated. The slow cooker is then set to low heat and cooked for 4-6 hours (or 2-3 hours on high), or until the chicken is cooked through and very tender. Towards the end of the cooking time, a slurry of cornstarch and water can be added to the slow cooker and the heat turned to high (with the lid off or ajar) to thicken the sauce to a desired consistency. Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce is thickened (if desired), the chicken can be shredded directly in the slow cooker using two forks or removed and shredded on a cutting board. It is then served hot, often garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces or left whole
- ¾ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup mirin (or 2 tablespoons rice vinegar + 1 teaspoon sugar)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions, for garnish
Equipment:
- Slow cooker (3-6 quart size)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small bowl (for cornstarch slurry)
- Fork (for shredding)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts or thighs into 1-inch pieces, or leave them whole for shredding later. Place the chicken in the bowl of the slow cooker.
- Make the Teriyaki Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin (or rice vinegar and sugar), minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil (if using).
- Pour Sauce Over Chicken: Pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring all the chicken pieces are well coated.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, or on high heat for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and very tender. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, if you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir well. Turn the heat to high and cook with the lid off or ajar for the remaining time, allowing the sauce to thicken.
- Shred Chicken (if using whole pieces): If you cooked the chicken whole, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks on a cutting board. Then, return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce. If you used pre-cut pieces, you can leave them as is or shred them slightly if desired.
- Serve: Serve the Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki hot over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Enjoy this easy and flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki!