40 Healthy Slow-Cooker Recipes That Make It Easy To Eat Light
Tell your takeout guy to take the night off.
When the new year rolls around (and healthy eating resolutions roll in), we wish so badly we had a private chef to make it even easier. If you're also under the impression that the only way to eat healthier is buying tons of produce and doing endless kitchen prep, we've got news for you. The real secret is already in your kitchen: your humble slow cooker. (Yes, believe it!) Planning is key if you're trying to eat healthier, and it doesn't get any easier than these set-it-and-forget-it recipes. While the phrase "meal prep" might make you think of a kitchen sink full of pots and pans, you can prep like a champ thanks to your handy slow cooker, which makes making big batches of things you can eat all week SO simple. Whether you're in the mood for a healthy soup, a slow-cooker rotisserie chicken, or a stir-fry, each of these healthy slow-cooker recipes basically make themselves.
We're super-big fans of high-protein recipes to keep us full and energized all day long, and it turns out that the slow cooker is perfect for keeping our favorite meaty dishes tender and perfectly cooked without making us feel like we're eating bland "diet" food. We've got plenty of slow-cooker chicken meals, like our Crockpot white chicken chili, our Crockpot chicken fajitas, and our slow-cooker lemon butter chicken & potatoes. If you didn't think you could make a top-notch chicken cacciatore in your slow cooker, you'll soon believe it!
And if you're a vegetarian, don't worry: We've got you covered too! Try our slow-cooker vegan butternut squash soup, our slow-cooker eggplant Parmesan, and our slow-cooker split pea soup. New to slow cooking? We've tested all the best slow cookers to make sure you find the best one for you and your kitchen.
Looking for more slow-cooker recipes? Try our best slow-cooker pork recipes, our top slow-cooker beef recipes, or even our favorite kid-approved slow-cooker recipes.
Slow-Cooker Garlic-Parmesan Chicken
When you think Parm + chicken, your brain might go to melty, saucy chicken Parmesan, but we might dig this dish even more. All the flavor from the chicken thighs, butter, garlic, and thyme seep into the tender baby potatoes for a fully satisfying, comforting meal.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Sure, everyone loves chicken noodle soup, but for some of us, there's nothing that soothes the soul like a big bowl of chicken tortilla soup. A slight kick from chili powder and fire-roasted tomatoes gives every bowlful a jolt of flavor.
Crockpot Spaghetti Squash
News flash! You don't have to turn on your oven to make perfectly cooked spaghetti squash. Once you've cooked up your squash, why not put it to good use? Our four-cheese spaghetti squash is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. 😍
Get the Crockpot Spaghetti Squash recipe.
Crockpot Pepper Steak
Think stir-fry flavors can't work in a slow cooker? Think again! This pepper steak is a straightforward, savory sweet number that'll put your standard takeout to shame.
Get the Crockpot Pepper Steak recipe.
Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
A simmering pot of soup on a chilly fall afternoon is the recipe for a cozy meal. This vegan butternut squash soup is made in a slow cooker, so after you chop up all your vegetables, it’s essentially hands-off!
Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Our slow-cooker white chicken chili couldn't be easier to make, and we love the texture it takes on once the beans are partially mashed. It might feel weird to use a potato masher in your slow cooker, but trust us, it works wonders!
Get the Crockpot White Chicken Chili recipe.
Slow-Cooker Salmon
Think of this recipe as a base for all future slow-cooked seafood dinner recipes. Feel free to switch up the citrus you use, make a bed of sliced onions or leeks, or throw in some herbs like rosemary or thyme if you like.
Get the Slow-Cooker Salmon recipe.
Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup
Looking for a low-effort, stick-to-your-ribs dinner? You've come to the right place. This Tex-Mex-inspired soup is hearty, delicious, and endlessly riffable.
Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili
A big bowl of chili at dinnertime is what winter is all about. This turkey-based version is both comforting and healthy, and it comes together in no time. So grab your slow cooker and cozy on up!
Get the Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.
Crockpot Salsa Chicken
A slow-cooker meal made with only four ingredients is really something to celebrate. The chicken falls apart and becomes immensely tender, while chunky salsa and piquant taco seasoning deliver classic Tex-Mex flavors. The final touch? A few bright hits of lime juice.
Get the Crockpot Salsa Chicken recipe.
Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder
The spiced garlicky herb sauce (sort of like a cheat chimichurri) is absolutely heavenly and will make this the best pork shoulder of your life. For serving, we'd recommend some herb roasted potatoes and a bright, leafy sautéed green like Swiss chard.
Get the Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder recipe.
Crockpot Whole Chicken
We know it sounds crazy, but you can replicate the deliciousness of a rotisserie chicken at home... in your slow cooker. To get that iconic crispy skin, slather the bird in a brown sugar spice rub and chuck it under the broiler before serving to achieve a beautiful, caramelized finish.
Get the Crockpot Whole Chicken recipe.
Easy Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup
A flavorful base of sautéed onion, carrots, garlic, and herbs takes this delicious autumn soup the next level. Also fantastic? The final drizzle of heavy cream.
Slow-Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken
This slow-cooker creamy lemon herb chicken spends all day bubbling along and results in everything you want in a meal: delicious, comforting, and easy. By cooking low and slow, the humble chicken breast is transformed into something that melts in your mouth.
Slow-Cooker Beef & Broccoli
In the world of Chinese-American classics, you can’t beat beef and broccoli. And while you can always order takeout, here at Delish, we’re so obsessed that we’ve found a way to make it in a slow cooker.
Get the Slow-Cooker Beef & Broccoli recipe.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
We love slow cookers because they do ALL of the work, so we can do literally anything else while dinner cooks. This recipe takes six hours, which is enough time to do all kinds of chores, self-care, and more. Need dinner faster? Make our classic chicken cacciatore instead.
Pumpkin Spice Slow-Cooker Oatmeal
Forget the classic pumpkin spice latte—this pumpkin spice slow-cooker oatmeal will be your new morning pick-me-up. Heartier than a latte and a pastry, this pumpkin spice recipe is the hearty breakfast you need when you want to stay full and satisfied all morning long.
Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
Slow cookers not only make your life easier, they also make chicken fajitas easier. Perfectly tender chicken and earthy bell peppers come together beautifully in this winner of a recipe. Just be sure to top with plenty of sour cream, cheese, and pickled red onions.
Get the Crockpot Chicken Fajitas recipe.
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