I am all about the slow cooker these days. Wading through mud in driving wind and rain is getting a little boring to be honest, and leaves me with zero energy or desire to spend hours in the kitchen. So the slow cooker gets loaded up mid morning and does all the hard work for me. A far better invention than sliced bread in my humble opinion.
So, Teriyaki chicken. I remember eating this in Japan many years ago and loving it. I’ve seen the bottles of Teriyaki cooking sauce in the supermarket, but as always I do like to work out how to make something myself, and then see if I can be bothered to repeat in the future. For the record, anyone that buys a premade sauce for this dish is a bit nuts.
For my in depth Teriyaki education I consulted the holy grail of everything that is Wikipedia. They have the following to say “…is traditionally made by mixing and heating soy sauce, sake, or mirin; and sugar or honey.”
Um, really? that’s it?
Yep, I can categorically state that you only need soy sauce and sugar to achieve that divinely dark sticky and endearing sauce. Who’d have thought it. I was mildly concerned that with all that soy sauce it would be too salty, but strangely the salt seems to disappear. Mind you, it’s probably a recipe to avoid if you tend towards high blood pressure all the same.
Try and keep some of the chicken for leftovers the following day if you can. Nestled inside a tortilla wrap with some little gem lettuce it is crazy good.
- 4 chicken legs or 4 each of thighs & drumsticks, skin & excess fat removed
- 1 red pepper
- 1 onion
- 8 garlic cloves remove the papery skin but leave whole
- 100 ml soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
- Lay the chicken pieces out in the bottom of the slow cooker, if you have to pile them up, try and keep them as even in depth as possible.
- Add the veggies, garlic, sugar and soy sauce and cook on high for 3-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Turn the meat halfway through the cooking time if you're home, but don't worry if not, it'll still taste fantastic.
- When the meat is cooked through, remove from the slow cooker carefully and shred the meat from the bones, keeping it warm.
- Pour all the juices into a small saucepan and boil until it is reduced by around half and has thickened into a delicious sticky black syrup. Add the chicken back to the sauce and stir well.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with rice and green beans.
Liz says
I did a similar one last week and worried about the saltiness so did half soy half hoisin. Still a bit salty but delish. Will try your recipe next week. Thanks :)
Jane Sarchet says
Hey Liz, I’d be interested to see what you think of it! I adore hoisin, and could (can) eat it straight form the jar :)
Janie x
Glamorous Glutton says
I was amazed when I found out how easy teriyaki sauce was to make. I had visions of hours of cooking unpronounceable things for hours. I can sympathise with the wind and rain sapping the will to be in the kitchen, but there is something very comforting about slow cooked meals in’t there. Almost like you didn’t do it, it just appeared!!? Hope you’re not too wet. GG
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks GG, we are getting to the chicken run via canoe, but apart from that business as usual :)
Janie x
Julie's Family Kitchen says
This looks gorgeous. I love the simplicity of throwing everything in the slow cooker and letting it do the work for you. I do hope the weather conditions improve for you soon. x
Jane Sarchet says
It’s such a wonderful invention isn’t it Julie, and what it can do to a tough old piece of beef is downright sorcery!
Janie x
Laura says
And all this time I thought teriyaki was complicated! I’ll remember this one the next time in thinking of doing a slow cooker meal =)
Jane Sarchet says
I know right?! Totally crazy how easy it is :)
Janie x
Camilla @FabFood4All says
Ooh thank you for the lesson in Teriyaki Sauce making – who knew?! Shall definitely be giving this a go as we only have chicken thighs these days and am always looking for new things to do with them:-)
Jane Sarchet says
They’ll be absolutely Perfect Camilla, and will taste just divine!
Janie x
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I have never ever been bothered to look up how to make Teriyaki sauce as it seemed so much easier to just buy it. Glad to be proven wrong though.
Jane Sarchet says
Amazingly simple isn’t it Bintu? I like it when that happens :)
Janie x
Nayna Kanabar (@citrusspiceuk) says
I have always wondered about slow cookers but not sure its justified for cooking vegetarian only.
Jane Sarchet says
They do come into their own with cheaper cuts of meat Nayna, but I would say the biggest benefit in a vegetarian kitchen would be for cooking pulses and root veg and having them cook safely whilst you’re out of the house. You can’t beat coking home to a hot meal ready to dish up!
Janie x
Morgan @ Peaches, Please says
Also lentils and beans!
Sylvia says
Chicken looks so yum! I’m thinking of buy slow cooker :) I’m just hoping that the electricity bills won’t kill me!
Jane Sarchet says
They’re supposed to be really energy efficient Sylvia, especially compared to cooking in an oven.
Janie x
Fiona Maclean says
I’m almost regretting giving away my slow cooker
Jane Sarchet says
Oooh, did you? I wouldn’t be without mine for the tea in China :)
Janie x
Karen says
I love my slow cooker and this looks far too lush for you, so pass it over please Jane!
Jane Sarchet says
Hahaha, meanie :op
Janie x
Nick @ Bakingbeardy says
Brilliant! I’m relying on my slow cooker as well at the minute, so this is a great idea…
Jane Sarchet says
Hope you enjoy it Nick!
Janie x
Morgan @ Peaches, Please says
I love teriyaki chicken, but had no idea the sauce was that easy to make. I’ll have to give it a go!
Jane Sarchet says
Hope you love it Morgan :)
Janie x
Tina Anand says
Oh wow! Your slow cooked chicken teriyaki looks super tasty.
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks Tina, it certainly was!
Janie x
Lou, Eat Your Veg says
Since I am now the proud owner of one shiny brand new slow cooker I shall most definitely be bookmarking this recipe, sounds totally delish.
Jane Sarchet says
Yay! Welcome to the fabulous world of lazy cooking Lou :)
Cara says
Why didn’t anyone tell me?
Why have I been buying the bottled junk?
I can’t wait to try this :) My friend bought me a slow cooker a few years ago as my first housewarming gift and I’ve been in love ever since.
Jane Sarchet says
They are the best kitchen gadget aren’t they Cara, I adore mine and use it so much! I hope you enjoy your homemade version of Terriyaki chicken, do let me know what you think!
Janie x