Some say society’s greatest invention is the lightbulb or the printing press.
Personally, I think it’s the crockpot. Who doesn’t love an easy dinner where you mix a bunch of ingredients together and leaving it to cook for hours?!
When you’re ready to meal prep this week, consider using your slow cooker to whip up some tender, flavorful healthy chicken. It’s low in cholesterol, high in protein, and easy to incorporate into an array of dinner recipes.
Break out your instant pot and try these healthy chicken crock pot recipes.
1. Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas
This yummy recipe couldn’t be any easier, so pour your light margarita now. Your chicken breasts cook on low with your bell peppers, onion, and seasoning for a cook time of eight hours, soaking up every drip of flavor. Roll up your shredded chicken mixture on a soft tortilla, or skip the carbohydrates and enjoy it as a salad. Either way, your tastebuds will thank you.
2. Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
Chicken seems to always be a go-to protein for healthy recipes, and it’s with good reason. It’s low in saturated fat, easy to cook, and absorbs flavor beautifully. This is especially true in this slow cooker chicken recipe, which utilizes honey, garlic, and soy sauce for a zesty dressing. Serve with veggies, brown rice, or gluten-free buns for a new favorite easy recipe.
3. Crock Pot Chicken Stew
Nothing says comfort food like a hearty chicken stew. This recipe is ideal for a busy weeknight dinner when you’ve got places to be. Boneless chicken breasts, chicken broth, and veggies together offer an array of nutrients like potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C, and a little bit of cornstarch works wonder to thicken up this stew. I bet you can almost smell your kitchen now after you’re done with making this family favorite.
4. Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken
Whether you’re in the mood for chicken tacos, taquitos, or just chicken and veggies, make sure to try this dinner recipe. Any cut of chicken works here, whether it’s chicken thighs or chicken breasts. Tomatoes and chiles give this crock pot chicken recipe a sweet and savory flavor, and an aromatic mixture of spices comes alive with each bite.
5. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
A homemade buffalo sauce tastes even better when you know it’s healthy. Dairy-free, paleo-friendly, and full of flavor, this buffalo chicken works perfectly for a game-day snack or an easy chicken dinner. Stuff this shredded chicken in a baked sweet potato for a low-carb dinner that tastes amazing.
6. Slow Cooker Asian Sweet Chili Sesame Chicken
Save your money AND your kcals with this version of your favorite takeout. This recipe has all of the sweet, tangy flavors without the greasy, deep-fried breading of traditional sesame chicken. This is a versatile recipe that can be served with rice, veggies, noodles, or whatever you find in your pantry. Double the batch for the week and you’ll be itching to reheat this recipe when you get home.
7. Crockpot Quinoa Chicken Primavera
The total time for this recipe is much shorter than many of the other chicken dinners on this list, but the level of enjoyment is just the same. This casserole takes on the classic Italian dish and uses quinoa and crispy asparagus for an added nutritious twist. The boneless skinless chicken breasts create a thick, creamy texture as they cook with the quinoa, a concoction so rich you’ll hardly be able to wait. Garnish with fresh herbs and you’ll feel like you’re eating dinner on the Sicily Coast.
8. Crockpot White Chicken Chili
This lighter version of everyone’s favorite soup recipe deserves a spot in your weeknight dinner rotation. Cilantro, cumin, and oregano bring this dish alive, and you have the option of adding jalapeno peppers for an extra kick of flavor. The lean and juicy chicken is lighter than the traditional ground beef used in chili with less saturated fat and cholesterol. Garnish with salsa verde or sour cream for the complete chili experience.
9. Slow Cooker Chicken Spinach Artichoke Pasta
Turn your favorite appetizer into a hearty, healthy chicken pasta dish. Spinach is a nutrient powerhouse with everything from calcium to vitamin A to potassium. Everyone will come back for seconds with the creamy dressing spiced with red pepper and garlic. Try non-dairy cream cheese or gluten-free pasta noodles to ensure this meal is both wholesome and delicious.