Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken – Best Easy Dinner Recipe

If your weeknights feel like a blur—work, errands, kids, and barely enough time to think about dinner—this Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is about to become your best kitchen friend. With almost no prep and just a handful of ingredients, you can have tender, flavorful chicken ready when you walk through the door.

It’s one of those rare recipes that feels too easy to be this delicious. You literally dump everything into your slow cooker, set it, and forget it. By dinnertime, your kitchen smells amazing, and dinner is ready to serve.

If you’ve ever wished for a meal that tastes like takeout but feels homemade—and fits into your healthy eating goals—this one checks all the boxes. Let’s make it together.

Why You’ll Love Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

There’s something magical about the way slow cookers turn simple ingredients into comforting meals. This teriyaki chicken is a perfect example.

Here’s why you’ll keep this recipe in your rotation:

• Ten minutes of effort. No searing, no fancy prep—just add everything to your crockpot and press start.
• Healthy, high-protein comfort food. With lean chicken and a homemade sauce, it’s a clean, family-friendly meal.
• Budget-friendly ingredients. Every item on the list is affordable and easy to find.
• Kid-approved flavor. Sweet and savory teriyaki sauce wins even picky eaters over.
• Perfect for meal prep. Make it once and enjoy it all week.

Whether you’re feeding two or cooking for a family, this recipe is forgiving, flavorful, and fuss-free.

Ingredients

You don’t need a long list to make this slow cooker meal shine—just a few pantry staples and your favorite cut of chicken.

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for a juicier texture)
• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ⅓ cup honey or brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
• ¼ cup water or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (for thickening)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Optional Add-ins:

• 1 cup pineapple chunks for sweetness
• Sliced bell peppers or broccoli florets for color and crunch

Step-by-Step Instructions

This recipe is exactly what it sounds like: dump, go, and come home to dinner.

1. Add Ingredients:
   Place the chicken in your slow cooker. Pour in soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and water. Stir gently so everything is coated.
2. Cook:
   Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is tender enough to shred.
3. Thicken the Sauce:
   Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with two tablespoons of the hot cooking liquid. Stir that mixture back into the crockpot and cook for another 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
4. Combine:
   Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir until the sauce coats every piece.
5. Serve:
   Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve warm over rice, noodles, or steamed veggies.

Optional: If you like your sauce extra glossy, drizzle in a touch more sesame oil just before serving.

How to Serve Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

This chicken fits right into any meal plan, whether you’re feeding kids, guests, or just yourself after a long day.

The classic way to serve it is over a bed of hot jasmine or white rice. The sauce seeps into the grains, making each bite rich and satisfying. For something lighter, try brown rice or cauliflower rice.

You can also build teriyaki bowls by layering chicken with steamed broccoli, edamame, and shredded carrots. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and drizzle with extra sauce.

For a handheld twist, stuff the shredded chicken into lettuce wraps or soft tortillas for quick teriyaki tacos. Add a touch of sriracha mayo if you like a little heat.

Hosting dinner for two? Pair it with a side of Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese for a cozy comfort meal.

If you prefer something heartier, serve it alongside our Best Ground Beef Stovetop Chili for a flavorful contrast.

And for soup lovers, you can’t go wrong pairing it with a bowl of White Chicken Chili—a creamy, warming complement to this sweet-savory dish.

The beauty of this recipe is that it plays well with almost anything you love.

How to Store Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to make extra—because this chicken tastes even better the next day.

In the Fridge

Once cooled, store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The sauce will continue to thicken, and the flavors deepen beautifully.

In the Freezer

To freeze, place portions in labeled freezer bags and lay them flat. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheating Tips

Warm it in a saucepan over low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals. Add a splash of water or broth to refresh the sauce if it’s too thick.

Meal Prep Tip:
Divide into single servings with rice or quinoa in meal-prep containers. It makes quick, high-protein lunches for busy weeks.

For a true dump-and-go freezer meal, combine all ingredients (except cornstarch) in a freezer bag, seal, and freeze raw. When ready to cook, thaw overnight and dump straight into your slow cooker.

Tips to Make Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

These are the small details that make this simple recipe shine:

• Use chicken thighs for richer flavor and tender meat.
• Low and slow is best. Cooking on low heat keeps the chicken moist.
• Don’t skip the cornstarch slurry. It transforms the sauce from runny to glossy perfection.
• Add veggies. Toss in bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli during the last hour of cooking.
• Balance the sweetness. Prefer less sweet? Reduce honey or swap half for pineapple juice.
• Make it spicy. Add chili flakes or a spoon of sriracha.
• Double the sauce. You’ll thank yourself when you pour it over rice or noodles later.
• Fresh garnish matters. Those sesame seeds and green onions add brightness and texture.

Variations of Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

This recipe is easy to adapt to your mood, ingredients, or dietary needs.

1. Instant Pot Version

Add all ingredients (except cornstarch) to your Instant Pot. Cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes, then quick release. Remove the chicken, thicken the sauce with cornstarch on sauté mode, and stir everything together.

2. Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken

Stir in 1 cup of pineapple chunks before cooking. The juice adds natural sweetness and tropical flair.

3. Spicy Teriyaki Chicken

Add 1 tablespoon sriracha or ½ teaspoon chili flakes for a mild kick.

4. Vegetable Teriyaki Mix

Add sliced bell peppers, broccoli, or snow peas in the last 30 minutes for a one-pot dinner.

5. Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

Layer rice, shredded chicken, and steamed veggies in bowls. Sprinkle sesame seeds and drizzle extra sauce on top.

6. Meal for Two

Cooking for two? Halve the ingredients and use a smaller crockpot for the perfect portion.

7. Gluten-Free Version

Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and ensure your cornstarch is gluten-free.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes! Just increase the cooking time by 1–2 hours on low. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Q2: Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
Absolutely. Cook for 10 minutes under high pressure, then thicken the sauce afterward using the sauté function.

Q3: Is teriyaki chicken healthy?
Yes—especially when made at home with low-sodium soy sauce and natural sweeteners like honey.

Q4: Can I prep this meal ahead of time?
Definitely! Combine everything in a freezer bag (except cornstarch), label it, and freeze it flat. When you’re ready, dump it straight into your crockpot.

Q5: What’s the best way to thicken the sauce?
Mix cornstarch with a little cold water and stir it into the sauce during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

Final Thoughts

There’s something comforting about walking into your kitchen and smelling dinner that cooked itself. This Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken brings that feeling home. It’s easy, affordable, and cozy—everything a weeknight dinner should be.

Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding a crowd, this recipe proves that you don’t need complicated steps to make something special. Just simple ingredients, a slow cooker, and a few hours of patience.

The result? Tender, flavorful teriyaki chicken that tastes like your favorite takeout but feels like a warm hug.

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