Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Dinner
Developed and tested by Robyn Conley Downs
on Feb 2, 2026 
If you’re looking for slow cooker teriyaki chicken that’s truly dump-and-go, made with a simple homemade sauce (and not overloaded with sugar), you’re in the right place. Everything goes straight into the slow cooker, broccoli gets added at the end, and dinner basically handles itself.
5 star review
“Quick, easy and flavorful crockpot dinner option. I made this with chicken thighs and it was a hit with my family this week.”
– Sara
Teriyaki Chicken Bowls in the Slow Cooker? Yes, Please!
Okaaaaay, let’s talk about this slow cooker teriyaki chicken, shall we? I created it because I wanted that cozy, savory-sweet teriyaki vibe without opening a bottle or babysitting a pan. I’ve also found that classic versions lean heavy and sugary, so I kept my sauce homemade and super simple (think soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and garlic). The chicken comes out oh-so tender and with TONS of flavor and barely any effort.
The slow cooker is doing the heavy lifting here, which is honestly such a win on a weeknight, and everything goes in at once, so there’s no browning + no extra dishes. I add the broccoli right at the end so it stays bright and a little crisp instead of turning sad and soft, which means the protein and veggies are handled, and brain space is saved.
This is the kind of meal that works for busy weeknights, or as an easy meal prep, and it’s perfect spooned over rice if you want, along with a giant drizzle of the bang bang yogurt sauce, which I HIGHLY recommend. This one is light, balanced, and still feels like takeout in the best way (see also my reader-favorite honey garlic slow cooker chicken for similar vibes)!
Welcome to My Kitchen! Let’s Make Teriyaki Chicken Bowls!
Testing Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- I’ve tried both chicken breasts and thighs in testing, and thighs stay juicier and more forgiving in the slow cooker, especially if you’re cooking on high or leaving it a little longer than planned.
- Don’t add the broccoli at the beginning, as it turns soft and dull! Adding it at the end keeps it bright, fresh, and actually enjoyable to eat.
- If you’re meal prepping, I’ve found this holds up beautifully for a few days, as the flavors settle in even more, and a quick reheat doesn’t dry the chicken out at all.
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Dinner
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 4 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
To Add at the End
- 3 cups broccoli florets
Bang Bang Yogurt Sauce (Optional)
- 4 tablespoons plain low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons sweet chili sauce
- ½-1 teaspoon sriracha (optional, to taste)
Equipment
Instructions
- Add To Slow Cooker: In the base of a 5-6 quart slow cooker, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and garlic. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of water until smooth. Add to the slow cooker, stirring to combine. Add the chicken, tossing to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Cook Until Tender: Cover and cook on high for 2½–3 hours, or low for 3-5 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Note: Cook time will depend on thighs vs. breasts and how hot your slow cooker is, but this is a good range to start with.
- Add the Broccoli: When the chicken is cooked, uncover and remove the chicken to a cutting board. Switch the slow cooker to high (if not already), and add the broccoli, tossing to coat in the sauce. Cover and cook on high for 10-20 minutes, or until the broccoli is cooked to your liking.
- Optional – Make the Sauce: While the broccoli is cooking, whisk the yogurt, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha together until smooth.
- Make the Bowls: Shred, slice, or dice the chicken. At this point you can add the chicken back to the slow cooker to warm back trough, toss with the sauce and broccoli, and serve. Or you can serve the chicken with the broccoli on the side and the extra sauce from the slow cooker drizzled over the top. In either case, drizzle generously with the Bang Bang sauce and serve with rice if that’s your thing.
Notes
- Optional Serving Suggestions: Cooked rice and sliced green onion.
- Bang Bang Sauce: Is completely optional, but I highly recommend it for extra flavor and to really bring everything together. You can use all mayo if you want to skip the yogurt (df friends, take note), or go all yogurt. It all works!
- GF: Be sure to use gluten-free tamari.
- Broccoli: Cook time will depend a lot on how hot your slow cooker is when the broccoli goes in. If you want to speed things up a bit you can always steam the broccoli a bit in the microwave or stovetop, drain, then toss in with the sauce. Defeats the “one-pot” aspect, but makes the final step faster, so it’s up to you!
I would love to make this. We don’t have a slow cooker anymore? Is there a way to make this in an Instant Pot? May the IP has a slow cooker option, I will have to look.
Hi Heather, honestly I don’t love the slow cooker option on the Instant Pot, it really doesn’t work very well. I think you could try this in the IP, though. If using thighs, try high pressure for 5-8 minutes + natural release. Then take the chicken out, switch to saute, and do the broccoli until cooked to your liking, probably 5 minutes or so. If you give a try let me know how it turns out!
Quick, easy and flavorful crockpot dinner option. I made this with chicken thighs and it was a hit with my family this week. Added green onion and chopped cashews on top
Sara, yay, I’m so happy to hear this was a family dinner win. Chopped cashews sound so yummy on top, I’ll have to try that next time I make this one. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and for leaving a review!
What would be the best alternative for brown sugar for a pre-diabetic?
Hi Sarah, I think you could try swapping in a sugar-free brown sugar (such as Truvia Sweet Complete Brown) – it should sub just fine in this recipe. If you give a a try let me know how it turns out!