Honey Garlic Teriyaki Chicken Slow Cooker Style

Created on November 1st, 2025 at 06:49 pm

Sweet, savory, and effortlessly tender

Slow cooker teriyaki chicken slow cooker is the kind of meal that makes weeknights easy. With just 10 minutes of prep, your slow cooker turns simple chicken into a glossy honey-garlic dish that tastes like comfort in every bite. Serve this tender teriyaki chicken slow cooker with a bowl of fragrant for a complete Asian-inspired dinner that feels like takeout, only fresher and healthier.

Let’s get cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This teriyaki chicken slow cooker balances sweetness from honey with deep umami from soy sauce, creating a silky glaze that clings beautifully to every strand of shredded chicken. It’s ideal for meal prep, family dinners, or weekend gatherings where you need big flavor without constant supervision.

Because it cooks low and slow, the chicken stays juicy, tender, and easy to shred. The sauce thickens naturally, creating a rich finish that feels indulgent yet wholesome. It’s a dependable, family-friendly recipe that fits busy schedules and pairs perfectly with steamed vegetables or rice

It’s a dependable, family-friendly meal that fits busy schedules and pairs perfectly with steamed vegetables or rice. Learn more about the benefits of lean poultry from the Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Time Breakdown

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 8

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

For the Sauce

• ½ cup honey
• ¾ cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (sub for rice vinegar)
• ¼ cup caramel syrup + 1 tablespoon water (sub for mirin)
• ½ teaspoon powdered or minced ginger
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon onion powder or ½ cup finely diced onion
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

To Thicken

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• Slow cooker or multi-cooker
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Whisk
• Fine mesh strainer
• Medium saucepan
• Two forks

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the cooker. Lightly grease the insert with oil or nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the sauce. In the cooker, whisk together all sauce ingredients except the cornstarch and water until smooth.
3. Add the chicken. Nestle the chicken breasts into the sauce and turn to coat evenly.
4. Cook. Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours or High for 3 hours, turning once halfway through if possible. The chicken should shred easily with a fork.
5. Shred. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and shred using two forks. Keep it warm while you finish the sauce.
6. Thicken. Strain the liquid into a saucepan, whisk in the cornstarch-water mixture, and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Stir constantly until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly sticky.
7. Combine. Pour half the sauce over the shredded chicken and stir until coated. Reserve the rest for drizzling at the table.
8. Serve. Spoon the chicken over rice or noodles, garnish with chopped scallions or sesame seeds, and serve warm.

Pro Tips

• Prep ahead: Combine sauce ingredients a day before to save time.
• Storage: Keeps up to 3 days in the refrigerator or 2 months in the freezer.
• Thigh option: Substitute chicken thighs for deeper flavor.
• Healthier version: Use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce honey if preferred.
• Love slow-cooked flavors? Try our slow cooker Thai peanut chicken. It’s creamy, nutty, and just as effortless.

It’s Time to Plate Up

Once the slow cooker finishes, you’ll have chicken that falls apart at the touch of a fork and a sauce that glistens like lacquer. The honey caramelizes slightly around the edges, creating that unmistakable sweet-savory balance that defines good teriyaki.

Serve this teriyaki chicken slow cooker masterpiece over rice or noodles, or use it for wraps and meal-prep bowls. It’s flexible enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests. Add a side of steamed broccoli or crisp salad to complete the plate.

If you prefer a thicker glaze, simmer the remaining sauce for a few extra minutes before serving. It doubles beautifully as a dipping sauce or drizzle for roasted vegetables.

FAQ

Nutrition Table

Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber	Sugar
1 plate	228	25 g	16 g	6 g	1 g	13 g

Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.