Your slow cooker is on dinner duty tonight, thanks to these delicious dishes! These healthy dinner recipes include ingredients that support muscle repair, keep your body energized, and have even more benefits. Contains at least 15 grams of protein per serving. Recipes like Slow Cooker Sun-Dried Tomato and Spinach Pasta Bake and Slow Cooker Broccoli and Chicken Soup are hearty, delicious, and require minimal effort.
slow cooker marimee chicken and barley
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Try an easy version of Marry Me Chicken, a dish of chicken and shredded sun-dried tomatoes swimming in a creamy sauce. In our version, we add cherry tomatoes and zucchini for an extra veggie boost, as well as barley to soak up the sauce, making this dish a complete meal all in one pot. Make sure the barley is fully submerged in the liquid so it cooks evenly.
Bake pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in the slow cooker
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
This simple vegetarian pasta bake is high in protein and easy to put together in the slow cooker, making it a convenient one-pot meal. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, sun-dried tomato pesto, and plenty of vegetables creates a mix of sweet and savory flavors in every bite. Replacing sun-dried tomato pesto with basil pesto also adds a fresh twist to the dish.
slow cooker broccoli and chicken soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors-Hall, Prop Stylist: Shel Royster
This comforting soup is loaded with broccoli and chicken in a creamy cheese base and finished with the classic topping of bacon and scallions. Frozen onions and rice preserve the integrity and texture of the soup, but chopped fresh onions and cooked brown rice (not frozen) can be used instead.
slow cooker three bean chilimac
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Chili and mac and cheese come together in this fix-it-and-forget-it slow cooker dinner. Hot tomato sauce, which is a Mexican canned tomato sauce, also contains chiles to add spices and heat, further enhancing the flavor.
slow cooker spinach and artichoke chicken soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors-Hall, Prop Stylist: Shel Royster
If you like spinach and artichokes, this is the soup for you. The creamy base is loaded with vegetables and shredded chicken to absorb the broth while providing a protein boost.
slow cooker chicken, bacon, and potato soup
This chicken and potato soup is the perfect way to usher in fall. It’s hearty enough to kickstart soup season, yet not too heavy because it’s loaded with soup and vegetables. This recipe is perfect for the weekend when you can check on your slow cooker in a few hours. Pair this easy soup with coleslaw or a side salad of kale and crunchy whole grain bread for a healthy and satisfying dinner.
slow cooker beef curry
The long, slow cooking mellows out the flavor, and the bold amount of spice retains its flavor over time. That’s exactly what’s happening here. Inspired by Thai curry, with the rich flavors of Thai curry paste and fish sauce, finished with a fresh touch of coriander and lime juice. Serve over a bed of brown rice or brown rice noodles to catch all the sauce.
slow cooker buffalo chicken chili
jason donnelly
If you love buffalo wings, you’ll love the flavor of this warm, hearty chili that’s easy to make in the slow cooker. Sour cream helps reduce the heat, but you can also use plain strained yogurt.
Beef stew in black vinegar
After cooking this stew all day, the aromatic scent of star anise will greet you when you get home. Enjoy with rice or rice noodles.
crockpot chicken & dumplings
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shel Royster
This crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe uses store-bought dumpling biscuits. It becomes moist and tender when stirred into a flavorful mixture of creamy mushrooms, chicken, and vegetables. To give chicken stew richness, use a flour and butter paste known as beurre manier, a classic thickener for soups, stews, and sauces.
Kale, wild rice, chicken stew
Chicken thighs will become perfectly tender in just a few hours in the slow cooker. Plus, cooking everything low and slow infuses all the flavors together, creating complexity in every bite.
Slow Cooker Arroz Con Pollo (Chicken & Rice)
This one-pot chicken dinner is inspired by traditional Spanish and Latin American cuisine and is easy to make in the slow cooker.
Creamy white bean soup with smoked ham hocks
Creamy, starchy, and hearty, this hearty, earthy soup is the epitome of comfort. And convenient. The beans can be used dry, so there is no need to soak them.
Chicken pita sandwich with harissa sauce
We serve it in a lemon and oregano chicken pita loaded with fillings, but you can also omit the pita and serve it over cooked bulgur, cauliflower rice, or a bed of vegetables.
crockpot pineapple chicken
This slow cooker chicken with pineapple is flavored with ginger and sesame seeds and made with simple ingredients you might already have in your pantry. To make assembly even easier, look for fresh pineapple that has already been peeled and cored. When eaten with brown rice, it soaks up the sweet and delicious sauce.
slow cooker chicken marsala
This slow-cooked Chicken Marsala is packed with flavor from plenty of mushrooms and fragrant shallots. Whole wheat pasta coated with a rich sauce. Finish off with a simple green salad for a comforting and healthy dinner.
slow cooker chicken and white bean stew
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Houser, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
This load-and-go slow cooker chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Serve this Tuscan-inspired dish with crunchy bread, a glass of Chianti, and a salad.
Slow Cooker White Bean and Sausage Cassoulet
This slow cooker cassoulet comes together quickly and without much effort. Mashing some of the beans makes the soup creamier, and topping it with toasted breadcrumbs adds a contrasting crunch. Serve with a crunchy baguette to soak up every last drop of sauce. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, if desired.
Meatballs with spicy plum sauce made in the slow cooker
Tender, tangy, spicy and sweet – these slow cooker meatballs may become your new go-to dish. It can be prepared in just an hour and a half in a clay pot, so it’s perfect for dinner on days when you don’t have much time to prepare dinner.
slow cooker pork sausage bolognese
The meaty, saucy pasta we all crave is here. If you have leftover slow cooker bolognese, freeze it and reheat it on cold nights when you need a warm, comforting dish. Enjoy with a simple, crunchy salad and crusty bread. For the prettiest appearance, sprinkle with whole fresh basil leaves instead of chopped oregano.
