Okay, so there are nights when the last thing I want to do is stand over a hot stove after a long day. You know those nights, right? That’s exactly when this Irresistible Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken Recipe becomes my absolute superhero. Seriously, it’s a lifesaver! I stumbled upon this little gem a few years back when I was juggling work, kids’ soccer practice, and a general feeling of being completely overwhelmed. This recipe just… happened. You basically throw everything into the slow cooker, and BAM! Magic happens. It’s the kind of meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but really, it’s mostly just the slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting. Delicious, flavorful, and ridiculously easy – it’s a weeknight dinner dream come true!
Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Seriously, this recipe is a game-changer for so many reasons:
- Super Simple Prep: You’ll spend maybe 10 minutes tops getting this ready. Just toss everything in and let the magic happen!
- Minimal Cleanup: Your slow cooker is basically your main dish (and only pan!). Less scrubbing means more relaxing.
- Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: That sweet and savory honey teriyaki flavor? It’s a hit with everyone, from picky eaters to grown-ups.
- So Versatile: Serve it over rice, noodles, or even stuffed into lettuce wraps. It’s always a win!
Gather Your Ingredients for Irresistible Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken
Alright, let’s get our ingredients ready for this taste explosion! Don’t worry, it’s mostly pantry staples with a few fresh goodies. Trust me, the simplicity is part of the magic. To make this Irresistible Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken perfect, you’ll want to have these on hand:
You’ll need:
- About 2 pounds of chicken thighs. I love using boneless, skinless ones because they get so tender and soak up all that yummy sauce.
- 1 cup of your favorite teriyaki sauce. Store-bought is totally fine, but if you have a homemade one you love, go for it!
- 1/4 cup of honey. This is where that lovely sweetness comes from, giving it that irresistible “honey teriyaki” name.
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. This adds a little extra depth of flavor, but make sure your teriyaki sauce isn’t super salty already, or you might want to adjust this!
- 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger. I love grating it fresh; it just has a brighter flavor than the powder.
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced. Fresh garlic is best here!
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons of water
And for serving, don’t forget some cooked rice, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and some fresh sliced green onions. They really finish the dish beautifully! Looking for other awesome slow cooker chicken ideas? You might want to check out my Irresistible Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Legs recipe, too!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Irresistible Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken
Okay, now for the fun part – actually making this ridiculously tasty chicken! It’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it every week. Just follow these simple steps and get ready for some seriously happy taste buds. If you love easy chicken dinners, you should totally check out my Irresistible Crockpot Orange Chicken or the Irresistible Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli too!
Preparing the Sauce for Your Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken
First things first, let’s get that amazing sauce ready. In a medium bowl, just whisk together your teriyaki sauce, honey, soy sauce, that grated ginger, and the minced garlic. Give it a good whisk until it’s all nicely combined and smells incredible. Pour this glorious mixture right over the chicken in your slow cooker.
Cooking the Chicken to Perfection
Now, put the lid on your slow cooker. You can cook this on low for about 4 to 6 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a rush, high for 2 to 3 hours works too. I usually go with low because I like the chicken to get super tender. Just make sure it’s cooked all the way through when it’s done; it should pull apart easily with forks.
Thickening the Irresistible Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked and tender, carefully take it out of the slow cooker and put it on a plate or cutting board. Shred it up with two forks – this is super satisfying! Now, for the magic thickening sauce step: grab a small bowl and whisk together the cornstarch and water until it’s smooth, like a thin paste. Pour this slurry into the yummy sauce left in the slow cooker. Turn your slow cooker to high, pop the lid back on, and let it bubble away for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll see it get nice and thick, perfect for coating that chicken!
Serving Your Delicious Honey Teriyaki Chicken
Last step! Add your shredded chicken back into that thickened sauce. Give it a good stir to make sure every single piece is coated in that amazing honey teriyaki goodness. Serve this warm over fluffy cooked rice. Don’t forget to garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and some fresh sliced green onions for that extra pop of flavor and color. Enjoy!
Tips for Success with Your Irresistible Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken
Okay, so this recipe is pretty darn forgiving, but here are a few little secrets to make it absolutely perfect every single time! First off, chicken thighs are my jam for this. They just stay so juicy and tender in the slow cooker. If you *have* to use chicken breasts, just be super careful not to overcook them, or they can get a bit dry – maybe check them a little earlier. Want a little kick? Totally add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you mix the sauce; it gives it a nice little warmth without being too crazy. My personal tip? Sometimes I like to stir in a tiny bit of orange zest with the teriyaki and honey. It adds this really subtle, bright layer that just makes everything sing! And if your sauce isn’t quite as thick as you like after the cornstarch step, just let it go a few more minutes on high, or make another tiny slurry with a *half* tablespoon of cornstarch and a tablespoon of water to be safe. You want it coating the chicken, not runny! For more awesome ideas on using chicken thighs, you should definitely check out these 10 Irresistible Chicken Thighs Recipes!
Serving Suggestions for Your Honey Teriyaki Chicken
This honey teriyaki chicken is so wonderfully versatile, it pretty much goes with anything! For a classic experience, you can’t go wrong with a big bowl of fluffy white rice. Jasmine or basmati rice are delicious choices. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, try serving it over some nicely seasoned Mexican chicken and rice – who knew teriyaki and Mexican could be friends, right?! I also love pairing it with some simple steamed broccoli or snap peas. They add a nice fresh crunch and a pop of green. Seriously, just about any of your favorite veggies will be super happy alongside this chicken!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This honey teriyaki chicken is actually even better the next day. Just pop any extra chicken and sauce into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll taste great for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, I find the best way is gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, so it doesn’t dry out. You can also microwave it, just make sure to stir it halfway through for even heating. Enjoy that second round of deliciousness!
Frequently Asked Questions about Irresistible Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken
You’ve got questions, I’ve got answers! This recipe is pretty straightforward, but sometimes little things pop up. Here are some common ones I get:
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
You totally can! Just know that chicken breasts cook a bit faster and can dry out if you’re not careful. I’d check them after about 2 hours on high or 4 hours on low. They might not get quite as fall-apart tender as thighs, but they’ll still be delicious!
How can I make this honey teriyaki chicken spicier?
Easy peasy! If you like a little heat, just toss in a pinch (or more, if you’re brave!) of red pepper flakes along with the sauce ingredients in the beginning. You could also add a dash of sriracha at the end if you want to kick up the spice level. Want to explore more tasty sauces? You might love learning how to make your own Teriyaki Sauce!
My sauce isn’t thickening! What should I do?
Don’t panic! This happens sometimes. The best fix is to make another cornstarch slurry, but start with just a *half* tablespoon of cornstarch and maybe 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk it really well and stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker. Turn it to high and let it cook for another 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. It should thicken up nicely. Just be careful not to add too much cornstarch at once, or you might end up with a gloopy mess!
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! The flavor actually deepens overnight, making it fantastic for meal prep. You can cook it completely and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave. It’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know, all these numbers are estimates, since brands and exact ingredients can change things up a bit! But based on everything, one serving of this yummy Irresistible Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken is roughly:
Calories: 450
Fat: 20g
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 1200mg
Protein: 35g
Carbohydrates: 30g
It’s a great balance of flavor and substance, perfect for a hearty meal!
Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious slow cooker recipe for honey teriyaki chicken.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together teriyaki sauce, honey, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Pour over chicken.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
- Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker.
- Turn the slow cooker to high and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat with the sauce.
- Serve the honey teriyaki chicken over cooked rice, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but adjust cooking time as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: slow cooker, honey teriyaki chicken, easy chicken recipe, teriyaki chicken, crock pot chicken, asian chicken