These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (2024)

Chicken is our all-time favorite blank canvas for dinner. And these healthy slow cooker chicken recipes check all the boxes: lower in calories, higher in protein, and at least a few other good-for-you nutrients like fiber and key vitamins or minerals. So whatever your health goals are (lose weight, eat healthier, cook more at home), we have you covered with these slow cooker chicken soups, stews, one-dish dinners, and even a few salads.

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Slow-Cooked Moroccan Chicken

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (1)

This chicken slow cooker recipe, healthy and easy to make, is one of our most popular. Combine the ingredients in your slow cooker before you go to work. You'll come home to a kitchen filled with a welcoming spicy aroma. Fiber-packed dried plums add a hint of good-for-you sweetness.

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New Potato Chicken Soup

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (2)

Instead of high-calorie croutons, this low-calorie slow cooker chicken soup recipe is adorned with caramelized shallots. It gets its fill-you-up heft from potatoes, not heavy cream.

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Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (3)

Coq au vin, the traditional French meal made with wine-braised chicken and mushrooms, can be both quick and healthy with a few ingredient upgrades and a slow cooker. The secret is to use a beef onion soup mix to flavor the protein. Once cooked, pile the chicken onto a small scoop of garlic mashed potatoes for a healthy slow cooker chicken recipe with 42 grams of protein.

Buy It: Crock-Pot Slow Cooker ($25, Target)

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Tomatillo Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (4)

Three Cs—cilantro, cumin, and a chile pepper—make the tomatillo-garlic sauce in this nutritious chicken slow cooker recipe healthy and a dinnertime masterpiece. Boost nutrition even more by serving on a whole grain ciabatta bun.

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Greek Oregano Chicken with Spinach, Orzo, and Grape Tomatoes

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (5)

If your favorite jar of salsa came in soup form, it would taste like this. Protein- and fiber-filled, this healthy slow cooker soup clocks in around 414 calories. Poach the chicken breasts in this slow cooker soup, then just shred, top with sour cream, and grab a spoon.

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Tomatillo Chicken Soup

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (6)

If your favorite jar of salsa came to life in soup form, it would taste like this. Protein- and fiber-filled, this healthy slow cooker soup clocks in right around 250 calories. Poach the chicken breasts right in this slow cooker soup, then just shred, top with sour cream, and grab a spoon.

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French Chicken Stew

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (7)

This low-calorie slow cooker chicken stew is packed with veggies and is oh-so-easy to make. The hardest part will be waiting for it to finish cooking.

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Mango Chicken Tinga

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (8)

Juicy cubes of fresh mango balance the fire-roasted chipotle sauce that flavors this low-calorie chicken slow cooker healthy recipe, a healthy meal made with juicy thighs. Served on a bed of rice, the 300-calorie Mexican slow cooker dinner recipe will become a family favorite.

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Creamy Chicken-Noodle Soup

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (9)

Creamy without any actual cream, each serving of this slow cooker chicken noodle soup is under 200 calories. Our version is a time-tested comfort food favorite and takes just 25 minutes of prep. For a slightly more indulgent version, use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.

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Slow Cooker Chicken and Shrimp Jambalaya

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (10)

The combination of chicken breast and shrimp in this slow cooker recipe is what helps make it low-calorie and high-protein. This chicken slow cooker recipe is healthy and delicious, thanks to a generous amount of veggies, including celery, onion, and bell peppers.

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Herbed Chicken and Mushrooms

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (11)

This comforting slow cooker recipe transforms chicken legs and thighs into a mouthwatering (and healthy) dinner. Fresh mushrooms, carrots, onion, and tomatoes top a bed of fettuccine in this protein-packed, carb-conscious chicken slow cooker meal. Add more fiber by choosing whole-wheat pasta instead of white.

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Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Stew

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (12)

One of our most popular recipes on Pinterest in 2021, this chicken slow cooker recipe, healthy and low calorie, transforms ordinary chicken into a savory Indian dinner. Combine a dash of curry powder, cayenne pepper, and ground ginger spices with chicken thighs, garbanzo beans, and tomato in your slow cooker for a 300-calorie dinner bursting with flavor.

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Kickin' Chicken Chili

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (13)

This healthy slow cooker chicken chili clocks in at just over 300 calories, but it's packed with satisfying protein (about 80% of your daily target). The recipe serves four and still gives you leftovers for an easy lunch or dinner another day.

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Chicken Cassoulet-Style Soup

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This five-ingredient chicken slow cooker recipe is a healthy, delicious alternative to your usual game-day chili. Filled with hearty chunks of smoked turkey sausage and chicken thighs for a big hit of protein, the low-calorie slow cooker version features a red wine pasta sauce broth and cannellini beans.

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Greek Chicken with Cucumber Salad

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This low-calorie, high-protein slow cooker chicken recipe is fresh, effortless, and can help support weight loss efforts. We keep the ingredients light with cucumber, mint, and a lemon-herb rub, then layer in healthy creaminess via fat-free Greek yogurt.

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Italian Braised Chicken with Fennel and Cannellini

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Cannellini beans and fresh-cut fennel add a nice fiber punch to this already healthy slow cooker chicken recipe. Diced tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, and onion combine in a tasty sauce that blankets the tender chicken drumsticks and thighs.

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Red Bean, Chicken, and Sweet Potato Stew

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These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (17)

Vitamin-rich sweet potatoes and creamy peanut butter complement the spicy Cajun seasoning flavoring this chicken and red bean stew. This reader-favorite slow cooker recipe is loaded with protein and requires just 20 minutes of prep.

These Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Are Comfort Food Made Light (2024)

FAQs

How do you not overcook chicken in a slow cooker? ›

Chicken Breast Cooking Times

Cook boneless chicken breasts in slow cooker on LOW for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on LOW for the best results. I do not recommend cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH, as it will become very dry and tough, even if you check it early.

How do you keep chicken from drying out in a slow cooker? ›

Tips for Slow Cooking Chicken
  1. Sear the Chicken Before Adding It to the Slow Cooker. Pre-cooking seals in the juices in the poultry and makes it even more tender as you cook it. ...
  2. Don't Use Frozen Chicken. ...
  3. Use Chicken Thighs or Legs. ...
  4. Don't Wait Until the End to Add the Sauce. ...
  5. Layer the Chicken on Top of Other Ingredients.
Jan 18, 2022

Why is my chicken tough after cooking in crockpot? ›

In addition, chicken breast has less fat and can become dry (chewy or rubbery) if cooked for too long. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you slow cook it? ›

That is why tough meats become “fork tender” in the slow cooker. Chicken breasts have very little connective tissue; that means they can be cooked quickly because the long cooking time needed to soften connective tissue isn't necessary. They also have little fat, which means they can become dry if cooked too long.

How long can you leave chicken in a crockpot on low? ›

Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes. Perfect for shredding!

Is it better to cook crockpot chicken on high or low? ›

We found that the only way to cook chicken (and turkey) in a slow cooker is on the low setting and for a relatively short amount of time.

Should chicken be covered in liquid in slow cooker? ›

Adding some liquid to the slow cooker is an essential step, and ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy.

What chicken doesn t dry out in crockpot? ›

Using a nice, long, low-and-slow cook time helps chicken breasts retain plenty of moisture - but you can certainly opt to add a splash of water or chicken stock to the crockpot if you like! If you're worried about dry chicken, you can also swap boneless skinless chicken thighs in for a bit of extra moisture.

Do you have to brown chicken before putting in a slow cooker? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

How long does chicken need to cook in the crockpot? ›

Step 4: Cook on High for 4-5 Hours or Low 7-8 Hours. Cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 F and juices run clear, but also when it's so tender you can shred it with a fork.

Is it okay to put raw chicken in a slow cooker? ›

Absolutely! Cooking vegetables with raw chicken in a crock pot is a great way to have a complete meal in one pot. Add your favorite vegetables like carrots, potatoes, onions, or green beans to the crock pot along with the chicken for a delicious and nutritious meal.

What is the best meat to cook in a slow cooker? ›

Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

Why is my chicken rubbery after crockpot? ›

As mentioned above, overcooked chicken is the most common reason for rubbery chicken because the chicken loses moisture as it cooks. Checking the internal temperature of the chicken is the best way to avoid this.

How do chefs get chicken so tender? ›

Brines and marinades help tenderize the meat by bringing more moisture in the protein. With that extra moisture, you lose less when you cook.

What cooking method makes chicken most tender? ›

Low and slow cooking methods like braising, stewing, or smoking are most effective when trying to create tender, succulent chicken.

How long does it take to cook raw chicken in a slow cooker? ›

As a good rule, you will cook chicken on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4-6 hours. Those slow cooker cook times tend to work for the proper cook time, but every slow cooker runs a bit differently so you'll need to adjust for yours. But, I will say chicken (and most other meats) do best when cooked on LOW.

Does chicken need to be submerged in a slow cooker? ›

Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

Do you need to put liquid in the slow cooker when cooking chicken? ›

Adding some liquid to the slow cooker is an essential step, and ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy.

Why does chicken get watery in crockpot? ›

This moist environment allows you to leave food to cook for hours without risking it drying out. But because there is no evaporation, the liquid isn't able to reduce and thicken naturally in a slow cooker, often resulting in watery sauces and loose gravies.

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