WANT EVEN MORE HEALTHY IDEAS FROM SHAPE YOUR FUTURE?
The holiday season can make dinner feel like one more thing on an already packed to-do list. Between family time, errands and everything else on the calendar, spending hours in the kitchen isn’t always realistic. A slow cooker can help.
A slow cooker gives you a hands-off way to get a meal going while you make time for the people and things that matter. It can also free up valuable oven space when you’re preparing food for a crowd. These healthy crock pot dishes include easy chicken and pork mains, hearty soups, flavorful sides, chili and even breakfast.
Whether you’re looking for healthy crock pot recipes for a family dinner or to make ahead for a party, there’s something here to try. For more ways to enjoy the season without overcomplicating mealtime, check out these healthy holiday eating tips.
Why Use a Crock Pot?
The best part of a slow cooker is that it does most of the work for you. Once your ingredients are prepped and in the pot, you can let dinner cook while you handle the rest of your day. Crock pots are also helpful when you’re feeding a crowd. They can keep food warm during a family gathering, while leaving your oven and stovetop available for other dishes.
Most importantly, slow cooker meals can make it easier to prepare a meal at home when time is short. You don’t need complicated recipes or hours of hands-on cooking to get something nutritious and flavorful on the table.
Ready to let your crock pot do some of the heavy lifting? Here are 26 crock pot recipes to try this season.
Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Dishes
Chicken is an easy choice for a slow cooker meal, and these recipes bring plenty of variety to the table. From tacos and rice bowls to Mediterranean-inspired flavors, these are some delicious healthy crock pot recipes to keep in your rotation.
1. Slow Cooker Salsa Lime Chicken
Bright salsa and lime give this chicken plenty of flavor without requiring a lot of hands-on work. Serve it in tacos, bowls or alongside your favorite vegetables.
2. Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken and Lentils
Chicken and lentils make a hearty combination in this slow cooker recipe. Warm spices give it a little something different when you’re ready to move beyond the usual chicken dinner.
3. Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken
Bring Mediterranean-inspired flavors to the dinner table with this easy chicken dish. It’s a simple option for a flavorful meal during a busy season.
4. Slow Cooker Chicken Rice Bowls
Rice bowls are an easy way to build a meal everyone can customize. This slow cooker chicken recipe gives you a versatile base for a filling dinner.
5. Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Chicken
Love spinach and artichoke flavors? This chicken dish brings them together in a slow cooker meal that’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
6. Slow Cooker Red Wine Vinegar and Chicken Stroganoff
Put a twist on a classic comfort food with this chicken stroganoff. The slow cooker makes it a convenient choice when you want something hearty without spending the evening at the stove.
7. Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken and Zucchini
Lemon and pepper add a fresh flavor to this chicken and zucchini combination. It’s a simple way to work a vegetable into a one-pot meal.
8. Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls
Taco night gets an easy upgrade with these chicken bowls. Add your favorite toppings and let everyone build their own bowl.
Garlic and Tuscan-inspired flavors make this chicken recipe feel special enough for a dinner party while still being simple enough for a weeknight.
Healthy Crock Pot Pork Dishes
Pork is another flavorful option for the slow cooker, especially when you’re feeding a group. These recipes can also work well as leftovers, making them useful budget-friendly slow cooker dinner recipes for a busy week.
10. Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork
Citrus and savory flavors give this Cuban-inspired pork plenty of personality. Serve it with vegetables, rice or another favorite side.
Pulled pork is a slow cooker classic for good reason. It’s an easy option for feeding a crowd and can be served in sandwiches, bowls or alongside your favorite sides.
Healthy Crock Pot Sides
Your slow cooker doesn’t have to be reserved for the main dish. These sides can help free up oven space and make it easier to get everything on the table when you’re cooking for family and friends.
Baked beans make a hearty side for a holiday meal or family gathering. Let the slow cooker handle the cooking while you focus on the rest of the meal.
13. Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a seasonal favorite and an easy way to add a vegetable to the table. Using the slow cooker also leaves your oven free for other dishes.
Healthy Crock Pot Soups
When the weather gets chilly, a warm bowl of soup can hit the spot. These slow cooker options include chicken, vegetables, beans, rice and more, giving you plenty of ways to make a cozy meal.
14. Lightened-Up Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup
This soup brings the familiar flavors of chicken enchiladas to a cozy bowl. It’s an easy option for a family dinner when you want something warm and filling.
15. Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Chicken, wild rice and vegetables come together in this comforting slow cooker soup. It’s a great choice for a chilly evening.
16. Slow Cooker Lightened-Up Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Get the cozy flavors of chicken pot pie in soup form. This recipe is a comforting choice when you want a warm meal without making a full pot pie.
17. Slow Cooker Hearty Vegetable and Bean Soup
Beans and vegetables make this soup a hearty option for a meatless meal. It’s also a simple way to bring more vegetables to the dinner table.
18. Slow Cooker Chicken and Lentil Soup
Chicken and lentils make this soup a satisfying combination. Let the slow cooker take care of the cooking while you get on with your day.
19. Split Pea Soup
Split pea soup is a classic comfort food that works especially well on a cold day. Keep this one in mind for an easy make-ahead meal.
Chicken noodle soup is a familiar favorite for a reason. This slow cooker version makes it easier to enjoy a warm, homemade bowl with less hands-on cooking.
All the cozy flavors you expect from lasagna come together in this easy soup. It’s a fun way to change up your usual slow cooker routine.
22. Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Chicken and wild rice come together in a creamy, comforting soup that’s made for chilly days. Serve it with your favorite fruit or vegetable for a complete meal.
Healthy Crock Pot Chilis
Chili is another slow cooker staple that works well for family dinners, game days and parties. These recipes give you a few different options, including chicken and veggie-based versions.
23. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
Buffalo chicken gets a cozy chili twist in this slow cooker recipe. It’s a flavorful option when you want something a little different for dinner.
24. Chicken Chili
This chicken chili is an easy slow cooker meal to keep in your back pocket. Add your favorite toppings and make it your own.
25. Veggie Chili
Looking for a meatless option? This veggie chili is packed with flavor and makes a hearty meal for a family dinner.
Healthy Crock Pot Breakfast
Your slow cooker can help with breakfast, too. Make this recipe ahead of time for an easy start to a busy morning.
26. Pumpkin Spice Slow Cooker Oats
Pumpkin spice and warm oats make a cozy combination for a cool-weather breakfast. Let the slow cooker do the work while you get ready for the day.
Crock Pot Questions, Answered
Can you put raw meat directly in a crock pot?
Yes. Raw meat can go directly into a crock pot as long as it is fully thawed safely before cooking. Do not put frozen meat directly into a slow cooker because it can spend too long in an unsafe temperature range. Always cook meat to a safe internal temperature.
How long can crock pot food safely sit out at a family gathering?
Cooked food should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours. If you’re serving food from a crock pot, keep the lid on and use the low or warm setting to help keep it hot. Refrigerate leftovers within that two-hour window.
Save Time Without Sacrificing Flavor
These healthy crock pot recipes give you plenty of options, whether you need a simple chicken dinner, a hearty soup, a side dish or a warm breakfast. Cooking with a crock pot also makes it easier to incorporate vegetables, beans, lentils and other nutritious ingredients into meals without adding a lot of extra work.
Start with one or two recipes from this list and let your slow cooker help take some of the work off your plate! Bookmark the full recipe collection so you always have easy ideas on hand for busy days.