7 Healthy Crockpot Recipes

Hey there! Are you a middle-aged person looking to boost your health without spending hours in the kitchen? You’re in luck! Crockpot cooking is the perfect solution for busy folks like you who crave nutritious meals without the hassle. Let’s explore seven delicious and healthy crockpot chicken recipes that will make mealtime a breeze.

Why Choose Healthy Crockpot Chicken Recipes?

healthy crockpot chicken recipes

Before we dive into the recipes, let’s quickly recap why crockpot cooking is a game-changer for busy adults:

Pros:

  • Effortless cooking: Simply throw ingredients into the crockpot and let it do the work while you focus on other tasks.
  • Nutrient retention: Slow cooking preserves the nutrients in your ingredients, ensuring you get the most out of your meals.
  • Versatility: From soups and stews to roasts and casseroles, the crockpot can handle it all.
  • Minimal cleanup: With just one pot to clean, you’ll spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal.

Cons:

  • Requires planning: Crockpot cooking requires some foresight and meal planning.
  • Not ideal for last-minute meals: Since crockpot cooking takes several hours, it’s not suitable for last-minute cravings.

1. Lemon Garlic Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and oregano.
  2. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and olive oil.
  4. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  6. Serve hot with your favorite side dishes.

2. Mexican Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • Optional toppings: avocado, shredded cheese, cilantro, lime wedges

Instructions:

  1. Place diced chicken, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell pepper, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in the crockpot.
  2. Pour chicken broth over the ingredients.
  3. Stir to combine.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  5. Serve hot with optional toppings.

3. Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, etc.), chopped

Instructions:

  1. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, basil, and oregano.
  2. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, and minced garlic.
  4. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
  5. Add chopped vegetables to the crockpot.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  7. Serve hot with rice or quinoa.

4. Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and oregano.
  2. Place chicken thighs in the crockpot.
  3. Add quinoa, cherry tomatoes, olives, minced garlic, olive oil, and chicken broth to the crockpot.
  4. Stir to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  6. Serve hot, topped with crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley.

5. BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Hamburger buns
  • Coleslaw for serving

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  5. Use two forks to shred the chicken.
  6. Serve on hamburger buns with coleslaw.

6. Lemon Herb Chicken and Potatoes

Ingredients:

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary.
  2. Place chicken thighs in the crockpot.
  3. Add halved baby potatoes, minced garlic, olive oil, and lemon slices to the crockpot.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

7. Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, etc.), chopped
  • Cooked rice for serving
  • Sesame seeds for garnish
  • Sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Place diced chicken breasts in the crockpot.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and cornstarch.
  3. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
  4. Add chopped vegetables to the crockpot.
  5. Stir to combine.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  7. Serve hot over cooked rice, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Healthy Crockpot Recipes

With these simple and delicious crockpot chicken recipes, you can enjoy healthy, homemade meals without the stress. So dust off that crockpot, hit the grocery store, and get ready to impress your taste buds! Here’s to your health and happiness!