Easy Sticky Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Recipe for Perfect Dinner
A simple, hands-off crockpot recipe for tender, sticky teriyaki chicken thighs with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Ideal for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (120 ml)
- 1/4 cup honey (85 g)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (30 ml)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (5 ml)
- 1/4 cup water (60 ml)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (8 g)
- Green onions, thinly sliced (optional, for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional, toasted for garnish)
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and water until combined.
- Optional: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add oil, and sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
- Place chicken thighs in a single layer in the crockpot and pour the teriyaki sauce evenly over them.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
- About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Stir into the crockpot, cover, and cook for the remaining time to thicken the sauce.
- Gently stir to coat chicken in the thickened sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired.
- Serve hot with steamed rice, sautéed vegetables, or noodles.
Notes
Dry chicken before cooking to help sauce stick and reduce splatter. Searing chicken before slow cooking adds extra flavor and crispiness but is optional. Add cornstarch slurry near the end to avoid gummy sauce. Avoid overcrowding the crockpot for even cooking. Sauce can be thickened further on stovetop if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 13
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 22
Keywords: teriyaki chicken, crockpot chicken, slow cooker recipe, easy dinner, sticky chicken thighs, family meal, comfort food