This slow cooker teriyaki chicken is the kind of set-it-and-forget-it dinner that fits right into a busy weeknight but still feels comforting and intentional. Teriyaki, with its roots in Japanese cooking, combines soy, sugar, and aromatics to create that glossy, savory-sweet sauce many of us grew up loving in takeout form. Here, we lean on a good-quality store-bought teriyaki sauce and just five pantry-friendly add-ins, then simply pour everything over raw chicken thighs in the slow cooker. A few hours later, you have tender, saucy chicken that tastes like you fussed, even though you mostly just used gravity.
Serve the teriyaki chicken spooned over hot steamed rice—jasmine or short-grain are especially nice—so the sauce can soak in. Add a green vegetable for balance: quickly sautéed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a simple side of steamed edamame all work well. If you’d like more texture, top bowls with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. For a heartier spread, pair it with a crisp cabbage slaw dressed in rice vinegar and a light miso or sesame dressing to echo the flavors of the chicken.
Slow Cooker 6-Ingredient Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
Servings: 4
