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Teriyaki meatballs served in a white bowl garnished with sesame seeds and fresh scallions.

Crowd Pleasing Recipe: Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs

Course Appetizer
Cuisine Japanese
Keyword crockpot, crockpot beef recipe, football food, game day appetizer, slow cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 cup teriyaki sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil optional
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup chopped bell peppers optional
  • 1 cup chopped onions optional
  • Cooked rice or quinoa for serving
  • Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  1. To begin, place the chicken thighs or breasts in the bottom of the crock pot. In a separate bowl, mix together the teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, honey (or brown sugar), minced garlic, minced ginger, and sesame oil until well combined.
  2. Pour this sauce mixture over the chicken in the crock pot. If desired, add the chopped bell peppers and onions on top.
  3. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  4. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the crock pot and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine with the sauce.
  5. Serve the teriyaki chicken over cooked rice or quinoa. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if you like. Enjoy your meal!

Slow Cooker Tips

  1. For the most tender results, use boneless chicken thighs. They stay juicy during long cooking and absorb the teriyaki sauce well.
  2. Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid during cooking since this releases heat and increases cooking time.
  3. If the sauce seems thin at the end of cooking, remove the lid and cook on HIGH for 10–15 minutes so the sauce can reduce slightly.
  4. For extra flavor, finish the dish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of toasted sesame oil before serving.