Whip up the ultimate Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken effortlessly, delivering a tender, flavorful, and incredibly easy dinner solution perfect for busy weeknights and a staple among easy crockpot dinners.
Are you searching for easy dinner recipes crockpot style that don’t compromise on flavor? Look no further! Our Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken recipe is about to become your new weeknight hero. This dish is the epitome of convenience, allowing you to create a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort and maximum taste. Say goodbye to complicated meal prep and hello to more time enjoying delicious, homemade food. Whether you are a seasoned slow cooker enthusiast or just starting out with crock pot cooking, this recipe promises success. It’s perfect for those busy days when you need fast dinner recipes without the fuss, offering a delightful twist to your usual crockpot dishes rotation.
Before you even begin, having the right tools makes all the difference for fast dinners and efficient meal prep. For instance, mincing garlic and grating fresh ginger for this teriyaki sauce is a breeze with a Cuisinart 8 Cup Food Processor, ensuring quick chopping and slicing that’s essential for any busy cook. And when it comes to preparing your chicken, or even batching ingredients for other meals, the versatility of a Ninja BN751 Professional Plus DUO Blender means you can whip up smooth sauces or marinades with its powerful 1000W motor, making your kitchen tasks much easier. For those who love to add perfectly roasted vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers on the side, a Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer 6 Qt is your go-to, delivering perfectly crisp results every time, and it has a large capacity ideal for families. After enjoying your delicious meal, storing leftovers efficiently is key. The Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Set of 9 is perfect for meal prep, offering leak-proof and stackable containers to keep your food fresh. And to extend the life of your ingredients or freeze portions of this fantastic Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken, a FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine is an invaluable tool, preventing freezer burn and keeping everything fresh longer.
Ingredients for Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
- Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients (often homemade, but bottled can be used):
- Soy Sauce (low-sodium often preferred, Tamari for gluten-free)
- Brown Sugar
- Honey
- Minced Garlic (fresh preferred, 2 cloves or 1 tbsp)
- Grated Fresh Ginger (fresh preferred, 1 tbsp or 2 tsp)
- Rice Vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- Water (for sauce and cornstarch slurry)
- Sesame Oil (dark toasted kind, 1 tsp)
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
- Mirin (optional)
- Molasses (optional, 1 tbsp)
- Oregano (optional, ½ tsp)
- Thickening Agent:
- 1-3 tablespoons Cornstarch
- Cold Water (for cornstarch slurry)
- For Serving/Garnish (Optional):
- Cooked Rice (white or brown)
- Sesame Seeds
- Chopped Green Onions/Scallions
- Broccoli florets (add during last 20 minutes or serve steamed)
- Sliced Bell Peppers (add with chicken or during last 1-2 hours)
- Pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, add during cooking)
- Carrots (add with chicken)
- Snap Peas (add during last 1-2 hours)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
- Prepare the Chicken: Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, either whole or cut into chunks, in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Whisk the Sauce: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and water until the sugars are fully dissolved. If desired, add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. This creates your delicious teriyaki sauce for this easy crockpot dinner.
- Combine in Crockpot: Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
- Add Optional Vegetables (Timing is Key): If using firmer vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or carrots, add them to the crockpot along with the chicken and sauce at this stage. For quicker-cooking vegetables such as broccoli florets or snap peas, incorporate them during the last 20 minutes to 1-2 hours of cooking to ensure they remain crisp-tender.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and be tender enough to shred easily with a fork. Avoid overcooking, especially chicken breasts, to prevent them from drying out. This method makes for perfect crockpot recipes slow cooker style.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer it to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Thicken the Sauce: If the sauce is too thin, create a cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk together 1-3 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water until smooth. Turn the slow cooker to the HIGH setting. Gradually pour the cornstarch slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cover and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to a glossy, glaze-like consistency.
- Return Chicken and Serve: Return the shredded chicken to the thickened teriyaki sauce in the slow cooker and stir to coat thoroughly. Let it sit in the sauce for a few minutes to absorb the flavors. Serve immediately over a bed of steamed rice or cauliflower rice, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh chopped green onions/scallions. This truly is one of the best dinner recipes crockpot style you’ll make.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
1. Can I use frozen chicken?
While possible, it’s generally not recommended as it can lead to uneven cooking and may increase cooking time. Always use thawed chicken for the best and safest results when making Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken.
2. How long does this keep in the fridge?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors often improve overnight, making it a great meal prep option.
3. Can I freeze teriyaki chicken?
Yes, this Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken freezes well for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze the saucy chicken without the rice. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
4. What if the sauce is too thin?
The sauce will naturally be thin after cooking. To thicken, prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water. Add it to the simmering sauce in the crockpot and cook on HIGH for 10-20 minutes until it reaches a desired, thicker consistency.
5. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, absolutely! Both boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs work wonderfully in this Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken recipe. Thighs tend to stay juicier and more tender, while breasts are a leaner option.
6. Can I make this recipe spicy?
Absolutely! If you enjoy a kick, you can easily add red pepper flakes or a dash of Sriracha to the sauce before cooking for a spicier version of your Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken.
7. What can I serve with Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken?
It’s commonly served over steamed white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice. Steamed broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas are also popular and delicious additions, complementing the savory teriyaki flavor.
8. Can I add vegetables to the crockpot?
Yes, you can add vegetables directly to the crockpot. Firmer vegetables like bell peppers or carrots can be added with the chicken at the start. Softer vegetables, such as broccoli, should be added during the last 20 minutes to 1-2 hours of cooking to ensure they are perfectly cooked and not overdone.
9. Why did my chicken turn out dry?
Overcooking, particularly chicken breasts, is the most common reason for dry chicken. Adhere to the recommended cooking times (e.g., shorter times for breasts, especially on HIGH) and ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F but doesn’t cook significantly longer.
10. What kind of teriyaki sauce should I use?
Many recipes, including this one, suggest making a homemade sauce for superior flavor and control over ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and rice vinegar. However, for ultimate convenience with your Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken, a good quality bottled teriyaki sauce can also be used.
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