Save It Tender chicken simmered in a savory-sweet homemade teriyaki sauce, served over fluffy steamed rice. Perfect for a fuss-free weeknight dinner with minimal prep.
I first made this easy slow cooker teriyaki chicken on a hectic workday when I wanted a homemade dinner without much effort. It became an instant favorite, especially served over warm rice with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: 4 pieces
- Vegetable oil: 1 tablespoon
- Salt and pepper: to taste
- Low-sodium soy sauce: 1/2 cup
- Honey: 1/4 cup
- Brown sugar: 1/4 cup, packed
- Rice vinegar: 3 tablespoons
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Fresh ginger: 1 tablespoon grated (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
- Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons
- Cold water: 1/4 cup
- Sesame oil: 2 tablespoons (optional)
- Jasmine or long-grain white rice: 2 cups, uncooked
- Green onions: 2, sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds: 1 tablespoon
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken:
- Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear for Flavor (Optional):
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2&3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
- Slow Cook:
- Place chicken in the slow cooker.
- Make the Teriyaki Sauce:
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger and sesame oil. Pour over chicken.
- Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 4&5 hours, or until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Thicken Sauce:
- About 30 minutes before serving, whisk cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir into the slow cooker.
- Finish Cooking:
- Cover and cook on high for 20&30 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Cook Rice:
- Meanwhile, cook rice according to package instructions.
- Slice and Serve:
- Shred or slice chicken and return to sauce. Serve teriyaki chicken over steamed rice with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Save It Making this for Sunday family dinner always gets rave reviews, especially when my kids help garnish the bowls with sesame seeds.
Required Tools
Slow cooker, mixing bowls, whisk and a rice cooker make this recipe simple to prepare and serve.
Allergen Information
This dish contains soy from soy sauce and sesame from oil and seeds. Double-check sauce ingredients if preparing for gluten-free diets.
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides about 490 calories, 7 g total fat, 72 g carbohydrates and 35 g protein.
Save It This easy teriyaki chicken is a comforting meal for any night. Enjoy with friends and family for a simple yet impressive dinner.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative and tend to be juicier and more tender after slow cooking.
- → How can I thicken the teriyaki sauce?
Mix cornstarch with cold water and stir into the slow cooker towards the end of cooking to achieve a glossy, thickened sauce.
- → Is searing the chicken before slow cooking necessary?
Searing is optional but helps develop deeper flavors and a richer color before slow cooking.
- → What type of rice works best with this dish?
Jasmine or long-grain white rice are ideal choices as they cook fluffy and light, complementing the savory sauce well.
- → Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Yes, steamed broccoli or snap peas added before serving provide a fresh, crunchy contrast to the tender chicken and sauce.