Spicy Chicken Teriyaki Slow Cooker

Full Disclosure: I had a slow cooker for over a year until I finally discovered its beauty; now I'm all about it!

One of my friends who attended culinary school, was appalled when she came over and saw my slow cooker, still taped up in the box. She insisted that we would make something with it that night. The result was BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches. They were heavenly and the chicken melted in my mouth like I had never experienced before. Since then, I have been experimenting with my own slow cooker recipes and they all come out more delicious than the next!

Last week, I made spicy chicken teriyaki. yummmm.

Here is my recipe: Serves 3-4 people

Ingredients:

• A few pieces of thawed chicken (not boneless) I used a breast, two thighs, and two legs.
• 2 large potatoes, cut into pieces, small or large, it's up to you. (Side Note: You do not need to add potatoes, I actually think this would have turned out better without them. You can make this healthier and better tasting by serving this over brown rice. I just love potatoes so much that I feel like I always need to add them to my slow cooker, maybe it's the lingering PTSD from my ancestors potato famine in Ireland.)
• 1 jalapeño, cut into very thin slices
• 1/2 an onion
• 1 large carrot, cut into small pieces
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste, depending on how spicy you like it)

Directions: (This is the easy part! You will be amazed!)

1. Put thawed chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. If it is not completely thawed, that is okay!
2. Add in half of your jalapeño and 2 garlic gloves, sprinkle on top.
3. Pour 1/3 of your teriyaki sauce over your chicken.
3. Line your potatoes around your chicken and put the rest on top.
5. Add in your carrot pieces, sesame seeds, onion, soy sauce, crushed red pepper, and the rest of your teriyaki sauce, jalapeño and garlic.
6. Put on top and set your slow cooker on low for 10 hours. You can even do this over night and have lunch ready for the next day!

10 hours later, you're going to have perfectly cooked chicken that falls off the bone, drenched with a flavorful spicy teriyaki sauce. Everyone will love you!!!