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Quick and shredded teriyaki chicken

Featured in Juicy chicken done your way.

This teriyaki chicken recipe gives the classic Japanese dish a slow-cooked twist. Using free-range chicken cooked for 4 hours, it turns out wonderfully tender and easy to shred. The sauce balances rich soy flavors with honey sweetness and a hint of vinegar for tang. Ginger and garlic add depth, and the slow cooking lets the flavors soak into the meat. Serve it over steaming rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds for an easy take on authentic teriyaki.
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alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Thu, 27 Feb 2025 19:49:52 GMT
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Amazing and effortless teriyaki chicken | Tasteofsavor.com

Slow-cooked teriyaki chicken represents the heart of Japanese comfort food. This method transforms simple ingredients into a tender, umami-rich dish where the meat becomes incredibly succulent. The recipe has become a reliable favorite, particularly appealing on cool days when ginger and soy sauce aromas fill the kitchen.

Essential Ingredients

  • Farm-raised Chicken (1.3-1.5 kg) - Choose bone-in thighs for natural juiciness. Farm-raised meat holds up better during slow cooking
  • Japanese Soy Sauce (125 ml) - Use naturally fermented varieties like Yamasa or Kikkoman. Avoid light versions
  • Acacia Honey (80 g) - Its mild flavor and fluid texture create perfect caramelization

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken
    • Remove skin from chicken pieces
    • Pat dry with paper towels
    • Season lightly with salt
    • Score thicker pieces slightly
  2. Make the Marinade
    • Combine soy sauce, honey and rice vinegar
    • Add freshly grated ginger and minced garlic
    • Include sake for extra umami (optional)
  3. Slow Cooking Method
    • Preheat slow cooker on low
    • Layer onions on bottom
    • Arrange chicken in single layer
    • Pour marinade over meat

Sauce Perfection

The final sauce reduction should coat the back of a spoon without becoming too thick.

Traditional Accompaniments

Properly cooked Japanese rice is essential for soaking up the flavorful sauce.

Presentation

Arrange chicken in a fan pattern over rice following Japanese serving customs.

Easy slowcooker teriyaki chicken | Japanese recipe Pin it
Easy slowcooker teriyaki chicken | Japanese recipe | Tasteofsavor.com

Regional Variations

* Kyoto Style: Sweeter with brown sugar
* Tokyo Style: Saltier with dashi
* Osaka Style: Premium sake addition

This teriyaki chicken demonstrates how simple ingredients transform through careful technique. Each bite reveals the essence of Japanese cooking, where patience yields remarkable flavors. The dish exemplifies precise culinary methods behind seemingly straightforward preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use an oven if I don’t have a slowcooker?
Yes, just use a Dutch oven and bake at 140°C (285°F) for about 4 hours.
→ Do I really need sake for this recipe?
Not at all! The dish is still super tasty even without sake.
→ Can this dish be made ahead of time?
Absolutely. It reheats perfectly, and the flavors even deepen as it sits.
→ What kind of soy sauce is best?
Go for a good quality Japanese soy sauce, like Kikkoman, to get an authentic flavor.
→ How should I store leftovers?
Keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Slowcooker teriyaki chicken

Soft, juicy chicken slow-cooked in a honey-soy sauce blend with Japanese flavors. Simple and delicious!

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
240 Minutes
Total Time
255 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Poultry

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Japanese

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ For the chicken

01 1 large free-range chicken, cut into portions
02 1 big onion
03 1 garlic clove
04 1 teaspoon of grated or powdered ginger

→ For the sauce

05 80g rice vinegar
06 125g Japanese soy sauce (like Kikkoman)
07 80g honey
08 50g sake (optional)

→ For serving

09 Japanese rice as a side
10 Sesame seeds

Instructions

Step 01

Peel the garlic and chop it finely. Take the onion and dice it into small squares.

Step 02

Take off the skin and place the chicken pieces at the bottom of your slow cooker or a heavy pot.

Step 03

Toss the onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sake (if you're using it) into the pot. Quickly stir it all together.

Step 04

Simmer it in a slow cooker for 4 hours, or pop it in the oven at 140°C in the heavy pot.

Step 05

Remove the bones from the chicken and shred the meat with two forks. Plate it with Japanese rice and sprinkle sesame seeds over it before serving.

Notes

  1. You can skip the sake if you'd like
  2. You have the option to either slow cook this or bake it in the oven

Tools You'll Need

  • A heavy pot or slow cooker
  • Forks for shredding

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Soy
  • Sesame

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 385
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~