Description
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish where tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked with a flavorful mixture of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, honey, and brown sugar, then shredded and coated in a thickened homemade teriyaki sauce. Perfect served over rice for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
Sauce Thickener and Garnish
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker in an even layer to ensure they cook evenly.
- Make the Teriyaki Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, minced ginger, honey, brown sugar, low sodium soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and rice vinegar until fully combined.
- Cook the Chicken: Pour the teriyaki sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 5 to 6 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Strain the Sauce: Pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker through a fine mesh strainer into a medium saucepan, discarding any solids.
- Simmer the Sauce: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer to concentrate the flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the simmering sauce and continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Pour the thickened teriyaki sauce over the shredded chicken and toss well to coat every piece evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the teriyaki chicken. Serve immediately, ideally over steamed rice or your favorite sides.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- You can add vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli to the slow cooker for a complete meal.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- If the sauce is too thick after refrigeration, gently reheat with a splash of water to loosen it.
- Serve over rice or noodles for a hearty and filling dinner.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 227 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 542 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 72 mg
