10+ Crockpot Recipes Healthy for Busy Weeknights
Crockpot meals offer a simple and delicious way to enjoy healthy eating. With a slow cooker, you can prepare nutritious dishes with minimal effort. This allows you to focus on other tasks while dinner cooks.
Healthy crockpot recipes can save you time, make meal prep easier, and help you maintain a balanced diet.
You can explore a variety of ingredients that fit your dietary needs, from lean meats to vibrant vegetables and whole grains. This method also enhances flavors, giving your meals a rich taste that you and your family will love.
Whether you are new to slow cooking or a seasoned pro, there are plenty of healthy recipes that will suit your lifestyle.
1) Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is a simple and tasty dish. You can make it with just a few ingredients. The chicken cooks slowly, becoming tender and juicy in a sweet and savory sauce.
This recipe is perfect for busy days. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work. You can serve it with rice or veggies for a balanced meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Place the chicken in the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, and ginger.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Serve hot.
2) Healthy Crockpot Chicken Burrito Bowls
Healthy crockpot chicken burrito bowls are perfect for a quick meal. They are simple to prepare and packed with flavor.
Start by placing chicken breasts in your slow cooker. Add diced tomatoes or salsa for a spicy kick. Season with chili powder, cumin, and a bit of sea salt.
You can include beans and brown rice for fiber and nutrients. Cook everything on low for about 6-7 hours (around 175°C).
Once done, shred the chicken right in the pot. Serve your burrito bowl with avocado, cheese, or fresh cilantro on top for added taste.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can diced tomatoes or salsa
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Sea salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Add diced tomatoes or salsa.
- Stir in black beans and brown rice.
- Season with chili powder, cumin, and sea salt.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours (175°C).
- Shred chicken and mix everything well before serving.
3) Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is a perfect meal for busy days. It’s packed with lean ground turkey, beans, and veggies, making it a healthy choice. The flavors blend well, creating a hearty dish everyone will enjoy.
This chili is simple to prepare. Just add all your ingredients to the slow cooker and let it do the work. It’s great for game days or cozy evenings at home.
You can customize it with your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, or avocado. Serve it with some crusty bread for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) lean ground turkey
- 1 can (15oz/425g) kidney beans, drained
- 1 can (15oz/425g) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup (150g) corn, fresh or frozen
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Brown the turkey in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the turkey, beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, garlic, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
- Stir well and cover the cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours (about 93-104°C) or on high for 3-4 hours (about 149-160°C).
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
4) Crockpot Lentil Vegetable Soup
Crockpot Lentil Vegetable Soup is a warm and comforting dish that’s easy to make. This soup is packed with healthy ingredients, making it a great choice for dinner. You can enjoy a rich blend of flavors from lentils, carrots, and vegetables.
To prepare this soup, simply chop your favorite veggies and rinse the lentils. Place everything in your crockpot, and let it cook slowly. The result is a hearty meal filled with nutrients and fiber.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups red lentils
- 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- ½ bunch kale, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Rinse the lentils under cold water.
- Chop all your vegetables.
- Add the lentils and vegetables to the crockpot.
- Pour in the vegetable broth.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook on low for 8 hours (about 93°C) or high for 4 hours (about 149°C).
5) Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Chicken
Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Chicken is a delicious and easy meal that you can prepare with minimal effort. You can use boneless chicken breasts or thighs in this recipe for juicy results.
Start by mixing coconut milk, garlic, ginger, and your favorite curry spices in the slow cooker. Add the chicken and stir everything together. Set your slow cooker to low for about 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.
As it cooks, your kitchen will smell amazing. Serve this curry with rice or quinoa to soak up the tasty sauce.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Cooking Instructions
- Mix coconut milk, garlic, ginger, and curry powder in the slow cooker.
- Add the chicken and season with salt.
- Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.
- Serve with rice or quinoa.
6) Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes
Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes is a simple and tasty meal. This dish combines juicy chicken with tender potatoes, all cooked together in a creamy garlic sauce. It’s perfect for busy days.
To make this recipe, you will need a few ingredients. You can toss everything into the crockpot and let it do the work. The chicken absorbs all the delicious flavors while it cooks slowly.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 5 medium-sized potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Cooking Instructions
- Cut the potatoes into chunks.
- Place the chicken and potatoes in the crockpot.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
7) Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Soup
Crockpot stuffed pepper soup is a tasty dish that brings the flavors of traditional stuffed peppers into a convenient soup form. It’s packed with nutrients and is easy to make. You can enjoy it with little preparation.
This recipe usually includes ground meat, bell peppers, onions, and spices. You can customize it by adding your favorite vegetables or beans for extra nutrition. Plus, it’s a great meal for busy days.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Brown the ground meat in a skillet and drain excess fat.
- Add the meat to the crockpot with the remaining ingredients.
- Stir well to combine.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours (about 175-190°F or 80-88°C).
- Serve warm and enjoy!
8) Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Slow cooker beef and broccoli is a tasty and healthy dish that’s perfect for busy days. You can prepare it in the morning and let it cook while you’re away. The flavors blend nicely and make a comforting meal.
To make this dish, gather your ingredients and chop some fresh broccoli. The beef becomes tender in the slow cooker, soaking up the savory sauce. You can serve it over rice or enjoy it on its own.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) beef steak, sliced
- 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
- 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Black pepper to taste
- 3 cups broccoli florets
Cooking Instructions
- Place the sliced beef in a slow cooker.
- Add soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, vinegar, ginger, garlic, and pepper.
- Mix well to coat the beef.
- Cook on low for 4 hours (approximately 93°C).
- Add broccoli in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Stir and serve warm.
9) Crockpot Quinoa Chickpea Stew
This Crockpot Quinoa Chickpea Stew is a hearty and healthy meal. It combines protein-rich quinoa with chickpeas and plenty of vegetables. You can easily set it up and let the slow cooker do the work.
Start with some diced tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. Add spices like cumin and paprika for extra flavor. The chickpeas give the stew a nice texture while the quinoa adds a nutritious boost.
You will love how filling and satisfying this dish is. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner, and you can enjoy it warm on chilly days.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Add all ingredients to your crockpot.
- Stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
10) Healthy Crockpot Chicken and Rice
Healthy crockpot chicken and rice is a simple and delicious meal. You can prepare it with fresh vegetables and tender chicken for a satisfying dinner.
Start by placing chicken breasts in your crockpot. Then, add rice, broth, and your choice of veggies like carrots, broccoli, or peas.
After that, season with garlic, onion, and herbs for extra flavor. Cook on high for about 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours until everything is cooked through.
The end result is creamy and nutritious, perfect for a family meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, peas)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Place the chicken in the crockpot.
- Add the rice and broth.
- Stir in the mixed vegetables.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
- Shred chicken before serving, if desired.