17 Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes for Easy, Nutritious Dinners

Tomatillo Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Photo: Andy Lyons

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.

01 of 17

Slow-Cooked Moroccan Chicken

Slow Cooked Moroccan Chicken
Andy Lyons

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.

02 of 17

New Potato Chicken Soup

New Potato Chicken Soup
Scott Little

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.

03 of 17

Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

Slow Cooker Coq au Vin
Blaine Moats

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)

04 of 17

Tomatillo Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Tomatillo Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Andy Lyons

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.

05 of 17

Greek Oregano Chicken with Spinach, Orzo, and Grape Tomatoes

Greek Oregano Chicken Spinach Orzo Grape Tomatoes
Jason Donnelly

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.

06 of 17

Tomatillo Chicken Soup

Tomatillo Chicken Soup
Blaine Moats

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.

07 of 17

French Chicken Stew

French Chicken Stew
Karla Conrad

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.

08 of 17

Mango Chicken Tinga

Mango-Chicken Tinga
Karla Conrad

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.

09 of 17

Creamy Chicken-Noodle Soup

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Peter Krumhardt

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.

10 of 17

Slow Cooker Chicken and Shrimp Jambalaya

Slow Cooker Chicken Shrimp Jambalaya
Kritsada Panichgul

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.

11 of 17

Herbed Chicken and Mushrooms

Herbed Chicken Mushrooms
Blaine Moats

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.

12 of 17

Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Stew

Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Stew
Blaine Moats

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.

13 of 17

Kickin' Chicken Chili

Kickin' Chicken Chili
Blaine Moats

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.

14 of 17

Chicken Cassoulet-Style Soup

Chicken Cassoulet-Style Soup
Blaine Moats

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.

15 of 17

Greek Chicken with Cucumber Salad

Greek Chicken Cucumber Salad
Andy Lyons

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.

16 of 17

Italian Braised Chicken with Fennel and Cannellini

Italian Braised Chicken Fennel Cannellini
Scott Little

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.

17 of 17

Red Bean, Chicken, and Sweet Potato Stew

Red Bean Chicken Sweet Potato Stew
Jason Donnelly

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.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles