Introduction:

Slow cooker teriyaki chicken is a yummy dish that is easy to make, bringing together the robustness of teriyaki sauce and cooking tender chicken at a slow pace until it’s cooked to perfection. This recipe is perfect for those busy days when you want something tasty but don’t have time to spend all day in the kitchen.

Ingredients:

1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

½ cup of soy sauce

¼ cup honey

¼ cup brown sugar

2 minced garlic cloves

One teaspoon grated ginger

Two tablespoons Rice Vinegar (optional)

 

 

 

Instructions:

In a bowl, mix together well soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic cloves, grated ginger and rice vinegar.

Carefully pour the teriyaki over the tops of the chicken sections in the slow cooker so that they are covered evenly with it.

The chicken will be cooked through and become tender after cooking on high heat for between two to three hours or low heat for four to six hours.

Mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl which will create a slurry then add this liquid into the slow cooker about half an hour before finishing cooking to thicken the sauce.

After cooking, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Put back the shredded chicken in the slow cooker, add thickened teriyaki sauce, and toss.

Serve the hot slow cooker teriyaki chicken sprinkled with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired for a more appealing look; enjoy it with rice together with steamed vegetables to complete your meal.

 

 

 

Hints for Success:

Choose low-sodium soy sauce when on a low-salt diet.

Adjust depending on how sweet you want or like it.

Garlic and ginger are two other things which we could use to marinate our chicken before cooking it in this teriyaki sauce for several hours to make them taste better.

Be careful not to overcook as that can result into dryness

 

 

 

Health Benefits:

Chicken is a rich source of lean protein required for muscle development and repair

Both garlic and ginger have anti-inflammatory effects while they support immune system by healing them

Honey is a natural sweetness that has some anti antioxidants properties hence helping in sore throats soothing as well

 

 

 

Nutritional Information: (Per serving)

Calories: 280

Protein: 30g

Carbohydrates: 22g

Fat: 8g

Fiber: 1g

Sugar: 18g

Sodium: 900mg

 

 

 

Variations and Ingredients Replacements:

Swap the chicken thighs with chicken breasts for a healthier alternative.

To make it more delicious and healthy, insert pieces of sliced bell pepper, onions or pineapple inside the slow cooker.

Use low-carb sweeteners such as erythritol or stevia instead of honey and brown sugar for keto dieters.

You can use tamari instead of soy sauce as an option for gluten-free diets.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Can I freeze leftover slow cooker teriyaki chicken?

   – Yes, you can store leftover cooked chicken in an air tight container and it should be fine to go into the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating

Can I substitute my own teriyaki sauce with a bottled one?

   – You may use bottled teriyaki sauce but homemade gives a better chance at controlling what goes into the sauce and how it tastes.

Can I cook this recipe on the stove or in the oven instead of using a slow cooker?

   – Nevertheless, you can cook it on top of your stove or even bake your chicken in an oven but cooking your chicken slowly allows all flavors to develop well besides tenderizing it.

Can I use other meats like beef or pork for this recipe?

   – Absolutely! This dish can be made with beef or pork steak instead. However, cooking time depends on meat cut so check first if not using poultry joint.

Enjoy