Description
A stress-free, slow-cooked chicken dish featuring tender thighs in a homemade sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. This recipe balances umami, sweetness, and tang for a comforting meal that is perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 – 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. If large, cut in half. Place them in the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sesame oil until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring all pieces are coated. Reserve any extra sauce if desired.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- About 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken from the pot and set aside on a plate.
- In a small saucepan, whisk cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Pour the sauce from the slow cooker into the saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry while simmering. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Return the chicken to the thickened sauce or spoon the sauce over the top. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. To thicken the sauce, always use a separate saucepan to avoid clumping. If using chicken breasts, reduce cooking time to prevent drying out. The dish tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Chicken thighs with
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 950
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker teriyaki chicken, easy dinner, meal prep, sweet and savory chicken, japanese comfort food, gluten-free option