A tender, slow cooker teriyaki chicken recipe that takes under ten minutes to prep! This easy teriyaki chicken recipe is sweetened with honey to give you a sweet but healthy teriyaki sauce. Use this slow cooker recipe for a busy weeknight dinner or easy meal prep for gluten-free lunches.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I save time cooking dinner while still keeping the focus on healthy by making use of this slow cooker teriyaki chicken (and things like this slow cooker beef and broccoli)
Prep and pour all the ingredients into the slow cooker in under ten minutes. Then, cook on low and let the sweet flavors infuse while you’re at work.
High protein slow cooker meals are easily one of my favorites because they keep busy nights simple. Learn more about slow cookers and choosing the best one for your family (and how to use it!).
You'll Love This Recipe Because
- Results in juicy, tender, chicken bites
- Can be eaten on top of rice, roasted veggies, Buddha bowls, or noodles
- Makes a tasty, easy meal prep recipe (learn how to simplify meal prep to stay sane!)
- Is part of a clean eating diet, dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo
- Is a hit with kids because of its sweet flavor
Ingredients You’ll Need
Chicken Breasts: you want quality, thick, boneless chicken breasts for this slow cooker teriyaki chicken so that the flavor has time to infuse into the bite-sized pieces (just like this crockpot green chili chicken).
Honey: the gluten-free teriyaki sauce is naturally sweetened with honey. Opt for a local, unpasteurized jar for the best flavor.
Garlic & Ginger: simply flavored with these immune-boosting roots. While the sauce tastes best with fresh garlic, powdered will work in a pinch.
Gluten-Free Soy Sauce (Tamari): make sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce to keep the teriyaki chicken allergy-friendly. Or, opt for tamari which is an alternative to soy sauce (but tastes the same). Low sodium soy sauce works too.
Step By Step Photos
How To Make Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
- Slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and toss them in a bag with the arrowroot powder to coat.
- Whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour into the slow cooker.
- Add the chicken to the slow cooker and mix to combine.
- Cook on low for 6 hours.
- Serve the slow cooker teriyaki chicken on your choice of grain or vegetable and top with green onions.
You only need ten minutes to prep this slow cooker teriyaki chicken.
How To Make Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce
The homemade teriyaki is made with Tamari in place of soy sauce in order to keep it gluten-free (just like in these teriyaki chicken skewers!)- though you can use gluten-free, low sodium soy sauce.
Once the slow cooker teriyaki chicken is cooked, much of the sauce will be absorbed into the chicken to create super juicy pieces.
The remaining sauce is delicious as is but it’s not “sticky”. If you’re looking for a sticky sauce, before serving, add in ½ teaspoon of additional arrowroot powder. Mix well and cook on high for 20 additional minutes.
This will create an easy, stickier version of the healthy teriyaki sauce.
Choosing Chicken For The Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
Many slow cooker recipes will call for chicken thighs. However, this slow cooker teriyaki chicken recipe uses skinless chicken breasts instead.
Much of this is a personal preference. However, know that if you opt for boneless skinless chicken thighs in the cock pot teriyaki chicken, you'd need to up the amount of arrowroot powder used.
This is because chicken thighs are naturally "juicier" than breasts. Thus, it will leave the gluten-free teriyaki sauce a lot thinner.
Important Teaching Tips
If it’s possible to stir the slow cooker teriyaki chicken while it’s cooking, do it. This ensures all the chicken breast pieces are coated.
However, it’s not fully necessary.
You can top the chicken after serving with either green onions or sesame seeds.
Low sodium soy sauce works for the recipe just make sure it;s gluten-free.
How To Serve The Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
The recipe itself is only for the slow cooker teriyaki chicken. How you serve it is up to you.
If you need to keep the recipe paleo, serve the teriyaki chicken on top of spaghetti squash, cauliflower rice, or lots of veggies.
If you only need to keep the chicken gluten-free, you can pop it on top of rice or mixed into a pasta dish with additional veggies and then top it with some green onions for added flavor.
Lastly, this crock pot teriyaki chicken works well as a meal prep recipe too. Whip up a big batch and use it on top of salads, wraps, or portion it into a bowl. It's a great way to add in some protein to any meal. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp it up!
Our favorite way to enjoy it is on top of rice with steamed broccoli or roasted cauliflower on the side (hubby tops his with extra soy sauce!).
Skip Dinner Stress
The Busy Mom's Cookbook is where frazzled moms get high-protein dinner on the table fast without sacrificing nutrition or sanity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
So long as you're cooking the chicken for an extended period of time (4-6 hours), you can put raw chicken in the slow cooker. The fewer ingredients you put into the slow cooker with the chicken (and the smaller the pieces of chicken) the less time it will take to cook fully.
It’s better to cook chicken on low in a crock pot and use a lot of liquid. This ensures that the chicken will come out juicy and tender. It also prevents the chance that it will overcook, rendering it dry.
You can definitely overcook chicken in a slow cooker. One way to avoid overcooking the chicken breasts is to ensure there is a lot of liquid in the crock pot for the chicken to absorb.
More Healthy Dinner Recipes You Might Enjoy:
- Slow cooker Tuscan Chicken
- Slow cooker balsamic chicken
- Slow cooker chicken alfredo
- Stovetop venison stew
- Baked teriyaki chicken thighs
- Chili for a crowd
- 33 Dairy and gluten-free dinners
- 3 minute teriyaki meatballs
- One pot chicken alfredo
- Easy cauliflower rice
- One pot sausage and tomato pasta
- 45 dinner ideas for busy nights
- 30 minute chicken fajita bowl
- 30 minute dinner ideas
- Easy, healthy dinners
Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts cut into bite-sized chunks
- ⅛ cup arrowroot powder
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon Ground ginger
- ⅛ cup honey
- ¼ cup tamari gluten-free soy sauce
- 2 tbs avocado oil
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 tbs apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- In a large plastic baggie, coat the chicken bites in arrowroot powder.
- Add them to the slow cooker.
- Whisk together the remaining ingredients to make the gluten-free teriyaki sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook for 6 hours on low.
- Serve on a side of rice, spaghetti squash or noodles, and veggies.
Notes
- The remaining sauce in the slow cooker is delicious as is but it’s not “sticky”. If you’re looking for a sticky teriyaki sauce, before serving, add in ½ teaspoon of additional arrowroot powder. Mix well and cook on high for 20 additional minutes.
- If it’s possible to stir the crock pot teriyaki chicken while it’s cooking, do it. This ensures all the chicken breast pieces are coated. However, it’s not fully necessary.
- You can top the teriyaki chicken after serving with either green onions or sesame seeds.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Jennifer says
Oooh the sauce in this is so good! I'm in love with how easy and tasty this dish is!
fitasamamabear says
Thanks! Simplicity is what fuels my life haha
Paula says
gosh, this was so easy to make. I may make it weekly from now on!
fitasamamabear says
We've had it on rotation for a bit now, it's so versatile!
tina says
I just recently whipped out my slow cooker to make chili - the perfect time to make this delicious slow cooker chicken teriyaki! 😀
fitasamamabear says
Yes! Slow cookers kick butt!
Allyssa says
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
fitasamamabear says
Thank you!!
Tessa says
This looks so delicious and soooooo easy, especially for a long day ahead. I love slow cooker meals.
fitasamamabear says
Right? It's so nice to come home to something already done!
laura says
SO delicious!! I love having a dinner I can come home to!
fitasamamabear says
Haha it saves your sanity on weekdays!
Laura says
Last Christmas I bought a slow cooker as a present for my father. I'm going to let him know this amazing teriyaki chicken recipe from your blog. I think it will be a success for sure.
fitasamamabear says
You are the best gifter! Lol my slow cooker saves my sanity!
Jen says
I'm just trying this- you mention ginger in the description but I don't see a measurement in the recipe?
fitasamamabear says
Thanks for the catch! Not sure how I missed that one, I use 1/4 tsp ginger. I'll get that updated now. Appreciate it!
Donny says
Love the bit of honey in there - the sauce is so good! I want to put it on everything, lol.
fitasamamabear says
Haha I DO put it on everything!
Raquel says
A perfect dinner for a busy day! Love making this in my crock pot!
fitasamamabear says
Yes! It's nice to come home to!
Glenda says
Delicious! I'm so glad to have a gluten-free teriyaki recipe that is so simple to make. My family didn't even realize it was a gluten free meal. That's a win for me!
fitasamamabear says
Definitely a win!!
ChihYu says
So delicious! Love the gluten free sauce - that's what makes this so perfectly yummy! And, it's so easy to make too!
fitasamamabear says
Easy is crucial in this house!
Stacey Crawford says
I love how fast and simple the prep for this is, and the sauce is so delish! Definitely a keeper recipe for the slow cooker!
fitasamamabear says
Slow cooker meals save sanity!
jennifer says
This was amazing and perfect to come home to on the night we had evening boot camp (and then I did leftovers for the next post- boot camp meal!) YAY, so delicious and easy.
Yang says
This is a pretty creative way to make teriyaki chicken! I like that you let the slow cooker do the work, so good for busy families.
fitasamamabear says
Haha simplicity is key in my house 😀
Liz says
I love finding new ways to use my crockpot! Thanks for the tasty recipe, my husband liked it too!
Kris says
This was such a joy to come home to. So tender and flavorful! Will make again!
fitasamamabear says
Happy to hear it!
GRETA says
This was so quick to prepare and the result is just fabulous. It was a hit today
fitasamamabear says
Comfort meal for sure.
Gen says
I can’t believe how easy this recipe is for how delicious it turned out! My household gives it 5 stars. Can’t wait to make it again!
fitasamamabear says
Glad everyone loved it!
Madison says
I always struggle with slow cooker recipes, but this one turned out perfect!
fitasamamabear says
The slow cooker saves my sanity lol glad it turned out for you!
Sharina says
No one in our family can resist this easy slow cooker teriyaki chicken recipe! It was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Even the kids can't get enough of it.
fitasamamabear says
My kiddos love it too, it's the best!
Sharon says
This is such an easy recipe--literally couldn't be easier to make--and the flavor is excellent. Will be making this again for sure
fitasamamabear says
Happy to hear it!
Janice says
I LOVE this recipe! Every bite was worth it. I also love how easy it is to make. Always a hit at every family dinner!
fitasamamabear says
Easy is key hehe glad you liked it!
Gina says
Made a double batch of this to have for the week and it's been the best for quick and easy lunches! Just as great on salad as it is with rice.
fitasamamabear says
I personally love it on salads too!
Angela Pagliarello says
Delicious Teriyaki Chicke! This recipe It has becomea family favorite. I add shredded carrots and serve it with cauliflower and broccoli.
fitasamamabear says
Omg the carrots in there sound soooo good!
Jess says
When would you add the shredded carrots?
fitasamamabear says
If you're going to add shredded carrot I'd just add it about 30 minutes before serving as you only really need to heat it.
Shruthi says
Loved this recipe - made it so easy to assemble a dinner after a busy day and it was really healthy too!
fitasamamabear says
Slow cookers save sanity!
Erin says
This was just the kind of easy recipe I was looking for. Easy and delicious. I especially loved the sticky sauce at the end!
fitasamamabear says
So happy you liked it!
Faith says
I used chicken breasts instead of thighs and they soaked up all the delicious flavor from the teriyaki sauce and stayed juicy. The combination of garlic, ginger, and honey really elevated the flavor.
fitasamamabear says
Mmm amazing!
Czyrah says
The chicken was moist and flavorful. And I love that the sauce was a little sticky and sweet. Served it on top of salads and it was soooo good. This homemade sauce is way better than anything you can buy in a bottle!
fitasamamabear says
The sauce is my favorite too lol
Traci says
Quick and simple ingredients, just tossed everything in. Served over rice - so good! Family loved it, and the slow cooker did the work! Perfect for those days when I am too tired to cook!
fitasamamabear says
Simple is key!
Wendie says
This one was a huge hit! Everybody devoured it and I loved that I could throw it together mid morning and it was ready when we got home, served it with some white rice and broccoli, definitely keeping this one!