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Easy Tender Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe for Perfect Weeknight Dinner

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A sweet, tangy, and tender chicken dish slow-cooked in a crockpot, perfect for busy weeknights and meal prepping with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
  • Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil until sugar dissolves.
  3. Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot in a single layer and pour the teriyaki sauce evenly over the chicken.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for about 3 hours until chicken is tender and easily shreddable.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Pour into the crockpot, stir gently, switch to high if on low, and cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes until sauce thickens.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more soy sauce or honey if needed. Remove chicken and shred with forks or serve whole.
  7. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

Drying the chicken before cooking helps the sauce cling better. Cook on low for 5-6 hours for best tenderness or on high for 3 hours if short on time. Add cornstarch slurry near the end to thicken sauce and avoid lumps. If sauce thickens too much, stir in a tablespoon of water to loosen. Can substitute honey with maple syrup and brown sugar with coconut sugar. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Adding pineapple chunks near the end adds a juicy contrast.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot teriyaki chicken, slow cooker chicken, easy weeknight dinner, teriyaki chicken recipe, tender chicken, meal prep chicken

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