Sweet, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth tender — with only 5 minutes of prep.
Busy weeknights call for recipes that practically cook themselves. That’s where this Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken comes in: juicy chicken slow-cooked in a sticky-sweet garlic soy sauce until it’s fall-apart tender. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of prep, you’ll have a dish that tastes like takeout but is healthier, cheaper, and family-approved.
This is one of those easy meals that quickly becomes a permanent rotation — perfect for quick dinner ideas, easy weeknight dinners, or even cheap dinners for a family.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless: 5 minutes of prep, then let the slow cooker do the work.
- Family-Friendly: Picky eaters can’t resist sticky-sweet chicken.
- Versatile: Serve over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps.
- Budget-Friendly: Simple pantry ingredients, big flavor.
- Healthy Swap: Make it with low-sodium soy sauce and honey for a lighter option.
🧄 Ingredients You’ll Need

- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup honey or brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (or ½ tsp ground ginger)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening sauce)
- 2 tbsp water (for slurry)
- Garnish: sesame seeds, sliced green onions
🍳 How to Make Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

Step 1: Combine the sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and vinegar.
Step 2: Add to slow cooker
Place chicken in the Crockpot and pour the sauce over it. Cover and cook on low 4–5 hours or high 2–3 hours until chicken is tender.
Step 3: Shred and thicken
Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the slow cooker. Mix cornstarch and water, stir into sauce, and let cook 10–15 minutes until thickened.
Step 4: Serve and enjoy
Serve chicken over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions for that restaurant-style finish.
🍽️ How to Serve Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

- Over rice (classic comfort)
- With noodles for a takeout-inspired twist
- In lettuce wraps for a lighter option
- As meal prep — store in containers with veggies and rice for grab-and-go lunches
💡 Tips & Variations
- Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness.
- Add bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas in the last hour of cooking for a complete dinner.
- Make it spicy with sriracha or red pepper flakes.
- Double the recipe for freezer-friendly leftovers.
🧡 Reader Love
“My kids beg for this every week. It’s better than takeout and so easy!” – @BusyMomEats
“Made this for meal prep — stayed juicy and flavorful all week. Total keeper.” – @MealPrepPro
🔗 Related Recipes
- Herb Chicken Tortellini Soup in Rich Broth
Brothy, bright, and family-friendly with bouncy tortellini and fresh herbs. - Wild Rice & Vegetable Herb Soup (Dairy-Free)
Light, clean, and loaded with vegetables in a shimmering herb broth. - Creamy Mushroom Brown Rice & Spinach Soup
Silky, earthy comfort with a generous tumble of greens. - Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Creamy, garlicky, and craveable—tender chicken with nutty wild rice.
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Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
- Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Sweet, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth tender with only 5 minutes of prep. This Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is slow-cooked in a sticky garlic soy sauce until fall-apart tender. A healthier, budget-friendly alternative to takeout.
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
⅓ cup honey or brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (or ½ tsp ground ginger)
2 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening sauce)
2 tbsp water (for slurry)
Garnish: sesame seeds, sliced green onions
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and vinegar.
2. Place chicken in the Crockpot and pour sauce over it. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours until chicken is tender.
3. Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the slow cooker.
4. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl, stir slurry into the sauce, and cook for 10–15 minutes until thickened.
5. Serve over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for maximum juiciness.
Add bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas in the last hour of cooking for a complete dinner.
Spice it up with sriracha or red pepper flakes.
Double the recipe for meal prep or freezer-friendly leftovers.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker, Crockpot
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup chicken with sauce
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg

