7 Steps to Perfect Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

7 Steps to Perfect Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

Introduction

Are you tired of complicated dinner recipes that require constant attention and numerous steps? What if you could create a delicious, restaurant-quality meal with just minutes of prep time? Our Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken might be the answer to your weeknight dinner dilemmas. This effortless recipe combines the sweet and savory flavors of traditional teriyaki with the convenience of slow cooking. Simply add your ingredients to the crockpot, set it, and return hours later to a perfectly cooked meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple responsibilities, or just someone who appreciates efficiency without sacrificing flavor, this Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken recipe will become your new go-to dinner solution.

Ingredients List

For this Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken, you’ll need:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts for a leaner option)
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos for a gluten-free alternative)
• 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup for a different flavor profile)
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar (apple cider vinegar works in a pinch)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or coconut sugar for a less refined option)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (approximately 1 tablespoon)
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
• 1 small onion, diced (sweet onions provide a milder flavor)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or arrowroot powder for a grain-free thickener)
• 1/4 cup cold water (for mixing with cornstarch)
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

The combination of these ingredients creates a perfectly balanced sauce with umami depth from the soy sauce, sweetness from the honey and brown sugar, acidity from the rice vinegar, and aromatic notes from the garlic and ginger.

Timing

• Prep Time: 10 minutes (just enough time to gather and measure ingredients)
• Cooking Time: 4 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low
• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (high setting) or 7 hours 10 minutes (low setting)

One of the greatest advantages of this Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is the minimal hands-on time required. Compared to traditional stovetop teriyaki chicken, which demands constant attention and approximately 45 minutes of active cooking, this recipe saves you over 30 minutes of active preparation and monitoring time. This makes it perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to prepare dinner in the morning and have it ready by evening.

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Begin by gathering and measuring all your ingredients. Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs if necessary. This preparation step is crucial for ensuring even cooking and the best flavor absorption. Pro tip: If using chicken breasts instead of thighs, consider cutting them into larger chunks to prevent them from drying out during the long cooking process.

Step 2: Create Your Teriyaki Base

In your crockpot, combine the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and diced onion. Stir these ingredients together until well mixed. This creates your flavor base that will infuse into the chicken during cooking. For enhanced flavor, toast your ginger and garlic in a small pan for 30 seconds before adding to intensify their aromatic qualities.

Step 3: Add the Chicken

Place your chicken pieces directly into the teriyaki mixture in the crockpot. Make sure each piece is coated with the sauce. For even cooking, avoid stacking the chicken pieces too high – a single layer or slightly overlapping is ideal. If using a smaller crockpot, you may need to arrange the chicken more carefully to ensure all pieces receive equal sauce exposure.

Step 4: Set Your Crockpot

Cover your crockpot and set it to cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7-8 hours. The beauty of Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is the flexibility it offers – choose the timing that works best for your schedule. According to our recipe testing, chicken thighs remain juicy even with longer cooking times, while breasts may benefit from the shorter cooking period.

Step 5: Prepare the Thickening Agent

Approximately 30 minutes before the cooking time is complete, create a slurry by mixing cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Ensure there are no lumps by whisking thoroughly. This step transforms your thin teriyaki sauce into a rich, glossy glaze that clings beautifully to the chicken.

Step 6: Thicken the Sauce

Remove the chicken pieces from the crockpot and set aside temporarily. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the hot liquid in the crockpot. Return the chicken to the pot, and continue cooking for 20-30 minutes until the sauce has thickened. This final cooking period allows the chicken to reabsorb some of the now-thickened sauce, enhancing its flavor profile.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, it’s time to serve. Place the Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken over rice or noodles, then sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. For added visual appeal and flavor, add a final light drizzle of the teriyaki sauce over the entire dish before serving.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (approximately 4 oz of chicken with sauce):

• Calories: 285
• Protein: 29g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fat: 10g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 780mg
• Vitamin A: 2% of daily value
• Vitamin C: 3% of daily value
• Calcium: 2% of daily value
• Iron: 10% of daily value

This Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken offers an excellent balance of protein and carbohydrates with moderate fat content, making it a nutritionally balanced main dish option.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

Make this Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken fit your dietary needs with these modifications:

Low-Carb Option: Replace honey and brown sugar with a natural sweetener like monkfruit or erythritol. Use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for serving. This reduces the carbs to approximately 5g per serving.

Gluten-Free Version: Substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos and ensure your other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Lower Sodium Alternative: Use low-sodium soy sauce or reduce the amount by half and add a tablespoon of unsalted chicken broth to maintain flavor depth.

Vegetarian Adaptation: Replace chicken with firm tofu (pressed to remove excess water) or tempeh. The cooking time can be reduced to 2-3 hours on low as these proteins don’t require as long to absorb flavors.

Paleo-Friendly: Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, replace brown sugar with coconut sugar, and use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch.

Serving Suggestions

Elevate your Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken with these serving ideas:

Classic Presentation: Serve over steamed jasmine rice with a side of stir-fried or steamed vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, and carrots.

Bowl Style: Create a teriyaki chicken bowl with rice, shredded cabbage, avocado slices, and cucumber for a refreshing contrast.

Fusion Twist: Serve in lettuce wraps with julienned vegetables and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts for a lighter option with textural variety.

Beverage Pairings: This dish pairs beautifully with jasmine tea, a light Japanese beer, or a semi-sweet Riesling that complements the sweet and savory flavors.

For an impressive presentation, place the chicken on a bed of rice, drizzle with extra sauce, and arrange sliced green onions in a fan pattern with a sprinkle of black and white sesame seeds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcooking the Chicken: Even in a slow cooker, chicken can become dry if cooked too long. Chicken breasts are particularly susceptible – stick to the recommended cooking times or use thighs for more forgiveness.

Not Thickening the Sauce Properly: Adding cornstarch directly to the hot liquid will create lumps. Always create a slurry with cold water first.

Skipping the Fat Trimming: Excessive fat can make the sauce greasy. Take the extra minute to trim visible fat from chicken thighs.

Using Too Much Soy Sauce: This can make the dish too salty. Measure carefully and consider using low-sodium options.

Neglecting to Taste Before Serving: The slow cooking process can intensify some flavors while diminishing others. Always taste and adjust seasonings before serving.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

This Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is excellent for meal prep and stores beautifully:

Refrigeration: Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The flavors often improve after the first day as they continue to meld.

Freezing: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. For best quality, freeze the chicken and sauce separately from any rice or vegetables.

Reheating: For refrigerated leftovers, microwave for 1-2 minutes or reheat in a covered pan with a splash of water to maintain moisture. For frozen portions, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Meal Prep Idea: Prepare individual containers with a portion of teriyaki chicken and rice, with a separate container of fresh vegetables to add after reheating for a complete meal ready in minutes.

Print

Conclusion

Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken represents the perfect marriage of convenience and flavor, allowing you to create a delicious, restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort. The slow cooking process infuses the chicken with the sweet, tangy flavors of teriyaki while producing tender, juicy results every time. Whether you’re feeding a family on a busy weeknight or meal prepping for the week ahead, this versatile recipe can be adapted to suit various dietary needs without sacrificing taste.

We’d love to hear how this recipe works for you! Have you tried any of the suggested modifications or serving ideas? Did you discover your own creative twist? Share your experience in the comments below or tag us in your social media posts. And don’t forget to explore our other slow cooker recipes for more convenient and delicious meal solutions!

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
While it’s always safest to use thawed chicken in slow cooker recipes (per food safety guidelines), you can use frozen chicken if you increase the cooking time by 1-2 hours. However, be aware that the sauce may become more diluted from the excess moisture released during thawing.

How can I make this recipe spicier?
For more heat, add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha, 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, or a tablespoon of chili garlic sauce to the teriyaki mixture before cooking.

Can I prepare this the night before?
Absolutely! Combine all ingredients except the cornstarch and water in the crockpot insert, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, place it in the slow cooker base and proceed with cooking. This preparation method can actually enhance the flavors.

Is this recipe suitable for children?
Yes, this Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is generally kid-friendly with a balanced sweet-savory profile that appeals to many children. For very young children, you might want to shred the chicken for easier eating.

Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?
Yes, this recipe doubles well. Use a 6-quart or larger slow cooker to ensure even cooking. The cooking time remains approximately the same, but you may need slightly longer for the sauce-thickening step.