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Home » Main Dishes Recipes » Chicken Main Dishes

CROCK-POT CHICKEN TERIYAKI

Updated: May 3, 2026 · Published: Mar 31, 2026 by Sana Umer · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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  • In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, ketchup, garlic, and ginger benefits.

  • Place chicken thighs into the crock pot in a single layer, pouring the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken pieces.t and savory sauce. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or when you want a fuss-free dinner.

    This recipe is perfect for both beginners and seasoned cooks, requiring minimal preparation while delivering restaurant-quality flavors. You’ll love the aroma filling your kitchen as it simmers.

    Using a slow cooker makes the chicken juicy and flavorful without constant supervision. The sauce thickens beautifully, clinging to every piece of chicken for an irresistible taste.

    It’s a versatile dish that pairs well with rice, noodles, or vegetables. You can easily adjust sweetness or soy sauce levels to match your personal preference.

    Whether for a family dinner, meal prep, or a cozy night at home, this crock pot chicken teriyaki recipe is a delicious, stress-free solution everyone will enjoy.

    WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

    • Tender Chicken: Slow cooking ensures chicken stays juicy, soft, and full of flavor, perfect for a comforting meal.

    Whether for a family dinner, meal prep, or a cozy night at home, this crock pot chicken teriyaki recipe is a delicious, stress-free solution everyone will enjoy.

    • Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples, making it accessible and easy to prepare without extra grocery trips.

    • Hands-Free Cooking: Let your crock pot do the work while you focus on other tasks or relax.

    • Rich Teriyaki Sauce: Balanced sweet and savory sauce creates restaurant-quality flavor without complex cooking techniques.

    • Family-Friendly: Loved by kids and adults alike, this dish satisfies a wide range of taste preferences.

    • Versatile Pairings: Easily served over rice, noodles, or with stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.

    INGREDIENTS

    • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
    • 1 cup soy sauce
    • ½ cup honey
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
    • ¼ cup rice vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • Sesame seeds, for garnish
    • Sliced green onions, for garnish

    DIRECTIONS

    • Step No.1: Prepare the Sauce
      In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, health benefits of garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar until smooth and well combined.

    • Step No.2: Add Chicken to Crock Pot
      Place chicken thighs into the crock pot in a single layer, pouring the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken pieces.

    • Step No.3: Cook
      Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked.

    • Step No.4: Thicken Sauce
      Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Stir into the crock pot and cook on high for 15-20 minutes until sauce thickens.

    • Step No.5: Finish and Garnish
      Drizzle sesame oil over the chicken. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
    Slow cooker chicken teriyaki with broccoli and carrots in a black crockpot.

    TIPS FOR SUCCESS

    • Use Thighs: Chicken thighs remain juicier than breasts, ensuring tender, flavorful results every time.

    • Don’t Overcrowd: Give chicken space for even cooking and sauce penetration for the best flavor.

    • Adjust Sweetness: Modify honey and brown sugar amounts to suit your preferred sweetness level perfectly.

    • Low and Slow: Cooking on low heat produces more tender meat compared to high heat cooking.

    • Cornstarch Mix: Always mix cornstarch with water before adding to avoid clumps in the sauce.

    • Fresh Garnish: Green onions and sesame seeds add fresh flavor and texture to the finished dish.

    • Make Ahead: Sauce can be prepared ahead of time for even quicker meal assembly.

    VARIATIONS

    • chicken breast: Substitute thighs with breasts but cook slightly less to prevent drying out the meat.

    • Spicy Kick: Add sriracha or red pepper flakes for a sweet-heat flavor twist everyone will enjoy.

    • Vegetable Boost: Add broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

    • Low-Sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce for a healthier, less salty version of this classic dish.

    • Thicker Sauce: Reduce sauce on the stove after cooking for a richer, stickier teriyaki coating.

    • gluten-free diet: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make the recipe completely gluten-free.

    • Meal Prep Friendly: Prepare in bulk and refrigerate or freeze for quick weekday lunches or dinners.

    SERVING AND STORAGE

    Serving

    Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for extra flavor.

    Storage

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for 2-3 months.

    FAQ

    Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?

    Yes, but increase cooking time and ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.

    Can I make this in an Instant Pot instead?

    Yes, use the sauté function for the sauce and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes with natural release.

    How do I prevent the sauce from being too sweet?

    Reduce honey or brown sugar slightly, and taste the sauce before adding to the chicken.

    Can I use pre-made teriyaki sauce?

    Absolutely, but homemade sauce offers better control over sweetness, saltiness, and flavor depth.

    Can I double the recipe?

    Yes, but ensure your crock pot isn’t overcrowded to maintain even cooking and sauce coverage.

    Crock pot chicken teriyaki is a versatile, comforting dish perfect for busy families or home cooks seeking flavorful meals. Its ease of preparation makes it a go-to for weeknight dinners.

    The slow cooking method ensures the chicken stays tender, juicy, and infused with sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. Minimal prep allows you to focus on other tasks while dinner cooks.

    This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables, making it an easy, well-rounded meal. Garnishes like sesame seeds and green onions elevate its presentation.

    With options for variations and spice levels, this recipe can cater to individual tastes and dietary preferences. It’s a meal that can be adapted to suit any occasion.

    Slow cooker chicken teriyaki with vegetables.

    CROCK-POT CHICKEN TERIYAKI

    Sana Umer
    This Crock-Pot Chicken Teriyaki is tender, juicy, and full of sweet-savory flavor. Perfect for a hands-off weeknight dinner with rice or veggies.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 320 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Chicken Teriyaki:

    • 2 lbs chicken thighs or breasts boneless, skinless
    • ½ cup soy sauce low sodium
    • ¼ cup honey
    • ¼ cup ketchup
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 tsp ginger grated
    • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoon water
    • 2 tbsp water
    • sesame seeds for garnish
    • green onions sliced, for garnish

    Instructions
     

    Prepare Sauce:

    • In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, ketchup, garlic, and ginger.

    Cook Chicken:

    • Place chicken in the crock-pot. Pour sauce over chicken.

    Slow Cook:

    • Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until chicken is tender.

    Thicken Sauce:

    • Remove chicken and stir in cornstarch-water mixture into sauce. Cook on high for 5-10 minutes until thickened.

    Serve:

    • Return chicken to sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with rice or veggies.

    Notes

    • Make Ahead: Sauce can be mixed ahead of time for quicker prep.
    • Variations: Add bell peppers or broccoli for extra veggies.
    • Serving Suggestions: Serve over steamed rice, noodles, or alongside stir-fried vegetables.
    • Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. Do not freeze.
    Keyword backyard BBQ, CROCK-POT CHICKEN TERIYAKI, shredded pork, slow cooker pork

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    About Sana Umer

    I'm Sana Umer — the home cook behind every recipe on For Foodie Friends. I'm a Pakistani-American mom of two based in the US, and I've been cooking seriously for about a decade now, mostly because feeding a family every day is the fastest way to learn how to actually cook.

    I'm completely self-taught. I learned by watching my mother in Pakistan, by burning a lot of food in my early years, and by paying attention to which recipes worked and which ones needed fixing. I don't specialize in just one cuisine — I cook the Pakistani dishes I grew up with, the American desserts my kids request, weeknight dinners, holiday roasts, and everything in between.

    Every recipe is personally tested in my own kitchen, every word is written by me, and every photo is taken of food I actually made.

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    for-foodie-frends-logo-1

    Hi, I'm Sana Umer — the home cook, recipe tester, and writer behind For Foodie Friends.

    I'm a Pakistani-American mom based in the US. I learned to cook in two kitchens — my mother's in Pakistan, where I grew up watching whole spices bloom in oil, and my own kitchen now, where I cook for my husband and kids.

    Every recipe on this site has been tested in my own kitchen, often more times than I'd like to admit, before it ever made it here. I cook a little bit of everything: the Pakistani comfort food I grew up with, the American desserts my kids beg for, weeknight dinners that need to come together fast, and the holiday spreads that take all day.

    If a recipe is on this site, it earned its place. No ghostwriters, no AI shortcuts, no copy-paste from somewhere else — just real recipes from a real kitchen, written to actually work the first time you make them.

    Welcome to my corner of the internet.

    — Sana

    More about me →

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