Here’s your complete recipe profile for Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken, crafted with all the requested sections and with the wide line removed.
Introduction
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is the ultimate balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, slow-cooked to tender perfection. It’s a comforting dish that requires minimal effort yet delivers a restaurant-quality taste. This recipe is a lifesaver for busy days when you want a satisfying meal without being tied to the stove.
Origin and Cultural Significance
Teriyaki is a classic Japanese cooking technique where foods are grilled or broiled with a glaze made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. While this slow cooker version is an adaptation for Western kitchens, it still preserves the harmony of sweet and salty flavors that define traditional teriyaki. In Japan, teriyaki is often used for fish, chicken, or beef, but around the world, it has evolved into a versatile sauce for many dishes. The slow cooker approach brings a modern, hands-off twist to this timeless classic.
Ingredients Quantity
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped
- 3/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped
Optional Additions
- Sesame seeds – for garnish and extra nuttiness
- Crushed red pepper flakes – for a touch of heat
- Pineapple chunks – for tropical sweetness
- Sliced bell peppers or carrots – for added color and crunch
- Fresh ginger – for a bolder flavor punch
Tips for Success
- Cut chicken evenly so it cooks uniformly.
- Low-sodium soy sauce keeps the flavor balanced without excess saltiness.
- Thicken the sauce gradually—adding the cornstarch slurry too fast can cause lumps.
- Don’t overcook—chicken breasts can become dry if left in too long.
- Add veggies later to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Instructions
Steps to Flawless Flavor:
- Lay the chopped chicken snugly at the base of a 4-quart slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Drizzle this mixture over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours.
- Once the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker.
- For the sauce left behind, prepare a mixture of cornstarch and warm water until smooth. Gradually stir this into the sauce to thicken it.
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker, ensuring it’s fully coated in the sauce.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve over fluffy rice, with steamed or stir-fried vegetables.
Description
This Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is a succulent, juicy dish infused with the sweet-salty richness of soy sauce, the warmth of ginger, and the gentle tang of rice vinegar. The slow cooking process ensures the chicken soaks up every drop of the flavorful sauce, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs perfectly with rice or noodles.
Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving, 6 servings)
- Calories: 295
- Protein: 34g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sugars: 15g
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fiber: 0g
Conclusion and Recommendation
If you want a dinner that feels special but fits into a hectic schedule, Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is your answer. It’s crowd-pleasing, adaptable, and perfect for meal prep. Pair it with steamed broccoli and jasmine rice for a complete, balanced meal.
Embracing Healthful Indulgence
This dish can be part of a health-conscious lifestyle with small tweaks—use reduced-sugar brown sugar substitutes, increase vegetables, and opt for cauliflower rice instead of white rice. You’ll still enjoy the comforting teriyaki flavor while boosting nutritional benefits.
If you want, I can also create a beautiful printable recipe card for this so it’s easy to store in your kitchen binder. That way it’s always on hand for quick dinner planning.