20+ Easy Back to School Slow Cooker Recipes
If you’re looking for easy, healthy back to school slow cooker recipes perfect for busy weeks – you’re in the right place!
From healthy soups, chowders, chilis, main dishes & more – the recipes in this collection are all simple to prepare and perfect low-effort weeknight dinner wins!
When it comes to transitions, I’m all about finding ways to simplify things.
Including the answer to the daily question, “what’s for dinner?”
Less decisions = less stress.
That’s why on busy weeks – like when it’s time for Elle to head back to school – my family & I love to lean on easy slow cooker recipes for dinner.
To get you inspired, I’m sharing a collection of my favorite back to school dinner ideas that’ll help simplify your dinner decisions.
reasons you’ll love these back to school slow cooker recipes
- Each recipe only needs a few hands-on minutes of prep time – then simply add your real food ingredients to the pot, set to cook, and let it do the work for you!
- The ingredients are easy to find & will help you transition easily between summer and fall meals
- These weeknight meals are great for anyone with a busy life, so even if you don’t have kids you can lean on these easy nourishing meals to get dinner done with minimal effort
Every one of these weeknight slow cooker recipes makes for great (freezable) leftovers. This post has all my best tips for how to freeze anything in a mason jar.
The Slow Cooker I Use
Here’s the slow cooker (affiliate) I use for all my recipes, this size works great for our family and I love how easy it is to use!
these recipes are all…
I’ve also included some paleo, whole30, vegetarian and vegan options too – so there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
I hope you’ll make these Easy Back to School Slow Cooker recipes soon.
If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!
20+ easy back to school slow cooker recipes
Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup with Apple
Ingredients: Butternut squash, apples, onion, carrot, turmeric, coconut milk, vegetable stock, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon and other spices.
Instant Pot + Crockpot Sunshine Lemon Chicken Chowder
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), baby potatoes, celery, cauliflower, onion, chicken stock, coconut milk, lemon juice, turmeric and other seasonings
5-Ingredient Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili (Slow Cooker, Instant Pot)
Ingredients: sweet potatoes, black beans, salsa, vegetable stock, cumin, smoked paprika and salt
6-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili
Ingredients: chicken, tomato sauce, chili beans, chunky salsa, cumin, garlic and salt
3-Ingredient Crockpot Salsa Chicken Stuffed Potatoes
Ingredients: chicken breasts or chicken thighs, salsa, and russet potatoes.
Crockpot Mini Turkey Meatball Vegetable Soup
Ingredients: ground turkey (or ground beef), onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, tomatoes, stock, spinach, Italian seasoning and other spices
Healthy Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Veggies
Ingredients: chicken breasts, chicken stock, potatoes, carrots, yogurt (traditional or plant-based), mayo, apple cider vinegar, and the easiest homemade ranch seasoning
Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken
Ingredients: chicken breasts or chicken thighs, gluten-free tamari, honey, grated ginger, canned crushed pineapple, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
Slow Cooker Carnitas
Ingredients: pork loin roast (or pork shoulder), orange juice, lime juice, cumin, mild chili powder, garlic powder and salt.
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken with 5-Ingredient Peanut Sauce
Ingredients: chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, peanut butter, garlic, maple syrup, vinegar and other spices.
Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Pulled Chicken + 3 Ways to Use It
Ingredients: chicken, lemon juice, dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Chicken
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato, Apple, & Turmeric Soup
Ingredients: sweet potato, apple, potatoes, stock, coconut milk, onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, turmeric and other seasonings
Slow Cooker Citrus Chicken (Pollo Asado)
Ingredients: bone-in chicken thighs and legs, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, onion, honey (optional) and salt.
Slow Cooker Barbecue Chickpeas
Ingredients: chickpeas, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, tomato paste, maple syrup (or honey), molasses, apple cider vinegar, and water.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken
Ingredients: chicken, onion, bell pepper, salsa, lime juice and salt
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Apple Cider Chili
Ingredients: sweet potato, black beans, kidney beans, tomato sauce, onion, stock, apple cider, chili powder, and other spices
Slow Cooker Chicken, Veggie, and Quinoa Stew
Ingredients: chicken breast (or thigh), stock, quinoa, zucchini, corn, garlic, onion, carrots, chickpeas, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and other spices
Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Chicken
Ingredients: chicken breasts, tomato sauce, honey, molasses, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, apple cider vinegar and salt.
Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, balsamic vinegar, peaches, basil, garlic powder and salt.
6-Ingredient Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt.
20+ easy back to school slow cooker recipes: fajita salsa chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1-2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1-2 medium bell pepper, red, yellow, orange or green, thinly sliced
- 1 16-oz jar or container salsa, divided (any brand you like, avoid those with added sugar or ingredients you can’t pronounce)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Juice of 1 lime, about 2 tablespoons
Equipment
Instructions
- Add the chicken, onions, peppers, about ⅔ of the salsa, and salt to a 6-quart slow cooker, stirring to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6, or until the chicken and vegetables are very tender.
- Uncover and remove the chicken to a cutting board. Shred with two forks or cut into pieces.
- If there is a lot of liquid in the slow cooker you can drain some off or leave it all in, depending on whether you want a drier or saucier consistency.
- Add back the chicken, the remaining salsa, and lime juice, stirring everything together. Taste and add additional salt, lime juice or salsa if you like.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
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