Healthy slow cooker chicken recipes prove that comfort food can be both healthy and easy to prepare! Sharing slow cooker recipes that use chicken breast and chicken thighs, plus tips for cooking your chicken in the crock pot.
Updated on 28/11/2017 to with new healthy slow cooker chicken recipes.
Hiya friends! I'm back with another recipe collection. This time, I scoured the internet for the very best and healthy slow cooker chicken recipes, and I think I found some pretty tasty looking slow cooker chicken breast and slow cooker chicken thigh recipes!
While chicken breast is lower in fat and calories, boneless skinless chicken thighs will hold up a lot better in the slow cooker. If you are looking for shredded chicken, then you'll be just fine with a slow cooker chicken breast recipe, however if you want something that holds it's shape and texture a little better, then go for a slow cooker chicken thigh recipe!
Before we check out these awesome healthy crock pot chicken recipes, I thought we could discuss some tips to get the tastiest chicken.
Tips for tasty and healthy slow cooker chicken:
- chicken breasts can not be cooked for longer than 6 hours (even on low). If you need to cook for longer times, I recommend using boneless skinless chicken thighs, and browning them first to help them keep their shape and texture.
- make sure to stick to skinless chicken, and to trim extra fat off unless you want globs of fat in your meal. You can cool the slow cooker and skim the fat off the top if this happens.
- add an acid (lemon or lime juice, balsamic vinegar) at the end of the cook time to brighten up the flavors. Fresh herbs are great too!
- all slow cookers cook differently. It may take some experimenting to learn how yours works. Get to know your crock pot and how it cooks chicken, and use your best judgment when using recipes.
Let's check out these healthy slow cooker chicken recipes!
1. Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos from With Salt & Wit- a bit sweet and a bit smoky...this slow cooker chicken breast recipe would work well in a number of different recipes!
2. {NEW} Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos from Sweet Peas & Saffron- this slow cooker chicken breast recipe can be assembled ahead and frozen, making for a healthy and very convenient dinner. The chicken ends up in a tangy cilantro lime sauce sweetened slightly with honey.
3. Seasoned Chicken, Potatoes and Green Beans from The Magical Slow Cooker- prepare your entire dinner in the slow cooker, flavored with lemon and some pantry herbs.
4. Slow Cooker Pulled Honey Lime Chicken Sandwiches from Sweet Peas & Saffron- one of three ways to use up the base slow cooker honey lime chicken. The honey lime chicken has just 6 simple ingredients to give you a sweet and savory meal prep base.
5. Skinny Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup from The Cookie Rookie- can anyone resist tortilla soup?! I can't. This tortilla soup takes only 5 minutes to prep and is total comfort food...but healthy!
6. Healthy Crockpot Butter Chicken from iFOODreal- butter chicken without any butter- or dairy for that matter! An easy and healthy slow cooker chicken recipe recipe to prep ahead and enjoy for a few days.
7. {NEW} Slow Cooker Lemon Sesame Chicken Noodle Soup from Sweet Peas & Saffron- warm up from the cold with this easy and healthy chicken noodle soup. No pre-cooking required, and may be assembled and frozen ahead (freezer slow cooker).
8. Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken from Life Made Sweeter- chicken breasts are simmered in a creamy peanut butter coconut milk sauce. Leftovers would make for a great meal prep lunch!
9. Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken from Maebells- just four ingredients required for this simple recipe! How simple is that?!
10. {NEW} Healthy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili from Sweet Peas & Saffron- white chicken chili gets a healthy make-over with this recipe. Assemble ahead and freeze (freezer slow cooker), or enjoy right away.
12. Crockpot Chicken Veggie Quinoa Soup from Chelsea's Messy Apron- loaded with veggies, this slow cooker chicken recipe will keep your dinner light. No pre-cooking required and leftovers would make for a great lunch or dinner.
13. Slow Cooker Chicken & Sweet Potato Korma from Sweet Peas & Saffron- this slow cooker chicken recipe is so creamy and flavorful, you won't believe it's healthy!
14. Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas from Cooking Classy- cooking your fajitas in the slow cooker makes them even easier to prepare!
15. Slow Cooker Pho with Chicken from Sidewalk Shoes- your house will smell amazing with all the fragrant spices in this soup!
16. {NEW} Slow Cooker Ethiopian Chicken Stew from Sweet Peas & Saffron- a little bit of effort up front results in a flavor explosion in this healthy but hearty slow cooker chicken stew.
17. Slow Cooker Chicken Salsa Verde Tortilla Soup from Flavor the Moments- tomatillos, cilantro and lime give this healthy slow cooker soup a punch of flavor!
18. Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Tacos with Tzatziki from The Recipe Critic- this chicken recipe goes straight into the slow cooker (no pre-cooking), and would be great on flatbread, a salad, or in pita bread as well as in tacos.
19. Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Stew from Sweet Peas & Saffron- inspired by tortilla soup, this recipe is packed full of flavor. Recently updated with Instant Pot instructions.
20. Slow Cooker Maple Chicken Stew from Kristine's Kitchen- root vegetables, chicken and a hint of maple in this hearty but healthy chicken stew. No pre-cooking required for a super easy prep!
21. Crockpot Chicken Salad Sandwiches from Cotter Crunch- cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker and use it in these gluten-free and dairy-free chicken salad sandwiches.
22. Crockpot Thai Chicken Quinoa Bowls from Food Faith Fitness- creamy peanut chicken is cooked in the slow cooker, then served on quinoa bowls with a crunchy cabbage slaw.
23. {NEW} Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chicken Curry from Sweet Peas & Saffron- loaded with sweet potato and carrots, this slow cooker chicken curry recipe can also be assembled ahead and stored in the freezer (freezer slow cooker).
24. Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Melts from Aggie's Kitchen
25. {NEW} Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs from Sweet Peas & Saffron- simple (no cook) prep, and can also be assembled ahead and stored in the freezer (freezer slow cooker). Serve with bread or over rice.
26. Slow Cooker Beer Chicken Taco Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette from Sweet Peas & Saffron- this simple slow cooker beer chicken is served over a big crunchy taco salad and drizzled with a cilantro vinaigrette.
27. {NEW} Thai Slow Cooker Chicken & Wild Rice Soup- another easy, healthy and comforting soup that packs a punch of flavor and can be assembled ahead and frozen (freezer slow cooker).
28. {NEW} Slow Cooker Spanish Chicken Stew- a pinch of saffron, roasted red peppers, and some smoked paprika give this healthy crock pot chicken stew a unique flavor.
29. {NEW} Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken from Sweet Peas & Saffron- make a batch of this five ingredient chicken in the crock pot and use it up in three different dinner recipes: quesadillas, burrito bowls, or tacos!
