Effortless and delicious: healthy chicken crock pot dishes for busy weeknights

Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure that combines convenience, nutrition, and tantalizing flavors? Look no further than our collection of healthy chicken recipes for crock pot. Whether you’re a busy professional, a home chef seeking inspiration, or simply someone who values wholesome meals, these recipes will elevate your cooking game.

1. Crock Pot Lemon-Herb Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

• Ingredients:
• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

1. Place the chicken breast in the crock pot.
2. In a bowl, combine the carrots, celery, onion, lemon juice, olive oil, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the vegetable mixture over the chicken.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

2. Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas

• Ingredients:
• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded cheese
• 6 corn tortillas

• Instructions:

1. Shred the chicken breast.
2. In the crock pot, combine the chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, sour cream, and cheese.
3. Lay out the tortillas and spoon the chicken mixture onto each tortilla.
4. Roll up the tortillas and place them seam-side down in the crock pot.
5. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.

3. Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

• Ingredients:
• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and olive oil.
2. Place the chicken breast in the crock pot and pour the marinade over it.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

4. Crock Pot Salsa Verde Chicken

• Ingredients:
• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 cup salsa verde
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

• Instructions:

1. Place the chicken breast in the crock pot.
2. Combine the salsa verde, onion, green bell pepper, and cilantro in a bowl.
3. Pour the salsa verde mixture over the chicken.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

5. Crock Pot Chicken and Veggie Soup

• Ingredients:
• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach

• Instructions:

1. Shred the chicken breast.
2. In the crock pot, combine the chicken, carrots, celery, onion, tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Stir in the spinach and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

6. Crock Pot Chicken and Sweet Potato Chili

• Ingredients:
• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

1. Shred the chicken breast.
2. In the crock pot, combine the chicken, sweet potato, black beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, green bell pepper, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

7. Crock Pot Chicken and Rice

• Ingredients:
• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 cup uncooked brown rice
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1/4 cup chopped celery

• Instructions:

1. Place the chicken breast in the crock pot.
2. In a bowl, combine the rice, chicken broth, onion, carrots, and celery.
3. Pour the rice mixture over the chicken.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Healthy and Convenient Cooking with Your Crock Pot

Crock pots are a culinary game-changer, offering the convenience of hands-off cooking while preserving the nutritional value of your meals. Here are some tips for making the most of your crock pot:

• Choose lean proteins, such as chicken breast or turkey breast.
• Use plenty of vegetables to add fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• Limit the addition of salt and processed ingredients.
• Cook on low heat for longer periods to maximize flavor and tenderness.
• Serve with whole grains, roasted vegetables, or fresh fruit for a balanced meal.

Basics You Wanted To Know

1. Can I use frozen chicken in my crock pot?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken in your crock pot. Simply add an additional 1-2 hours to the cooking time on low or 30-60 minutes on high.

2. How do I thicken the sauce in my crock pot chicken recipe?

You can thicken the sauce by adding a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch and water) to the crock pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Stir well to avoid lumps.

3. Can I cook chicken in my crock pot without liquid?

Yes, you can cook chicken in your crock pot without liquid. However, the chicken will be drier and less flavorful. It’s recommended to add at least 1 cup of liquid, such as chicken broth or water.

4. How long can I keep cooked chicken in the crock pot?

Cooked chicken can be kept in the crock pot on the warm setting for up to 2 hours. After that, it should be transferred to the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.

5. Can I use a slow cooker liner in my crock pot?

Yes, you can use a slow cooker liner in your crock pot. This will make cleanup easier, but it’s not necessary.