Since they’re simple to prepare, they make the perfect low-effort dinners on busy weeks (or anytime you don’t really feel like cooking).
And while we’re big fans of healthy crockpot chicken recipes (you’ll find plenty below) for ease and versatility, you’ll also find plenty of recipes in this round up that are not chicken!
To create a comprehensive list, we’ve organized these healthy slow cooker recipes into categories including turkey, vegetarian, soup, chili and dump & go crockpot dinner ideas all easy to prepare, using simple ingredients, and with flavor profiles designed to be loved by the whole family.
You’ll also some helpful tips for how to easily store & freeze any leftovers for later.
table of contents
To keep prep and clean up easy & fuss-free, these healthy crockpot recipes are made with few ingredients.
Click on each category below to go straight to that section:
However, I did write the book on what it really means to be healthy, and when it comes to recipes I take a whole, real foods, research-based approach.
With that in mind, all of these recipes are made with whole food ingredients, without any added refined sugar, and do not include processed ingredients or oils.
They are also plant-forward, include whole grains, as well as plenty of colorful, health-filled veggies.
Finally, as a healthy habits expert, I know that a big part of eating healthy is making the process easy.
That’s why all these recipes are not only filled with good-for-you ingredients, but also incredibly simple to prepare.
As always, if you’re following a specific diet for health reasons, consult with your doctor or registered dietitian for specific health advice and check out our nutrition disclaimer for more information.
This Crockpot Salsa Chicken Stuffed Potatoes recipe is the easiest, most delicious, wildly simple recipe you’ll find anywhere. What’s more, everything cooks together in the slow cooker, so prep is super fast and cleanup is a breeze!
Ingredients: chicken breasts or chicken thighs, salsa, and russet potatoes.
This slow cooker carnitas recipe is super easy to prepare and yields wildly delicious, succulent results everytime. Serve the carnitas warm as a filling for tacos, burritos or in bowls for an easy weeknight dinner win!
Ingredients: pork loin roast (or pork shoulder), orange juice, lime juice, cumin, mild chili powder, garlic powder and salt.
Make your own pasta sauce at home the easy way with this simple recipe for Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Fire Roasted Marinara. You’ll love the homemade flavor, how easy it is to prepare, and that there’s none of the processed stuff!
This easy recipe for shredded chicken for enchiladas is totally simple, completely delicious and the perfect weeknight crockpot recipe. Plus this chicken recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free, Paleo and Whole30 compliant too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt.
Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil combines juicy peaches, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil for an easy, flavorful dinner anytime. Easy enough to throw together on a weeknight, this one’s bound to become a new family-favorite recipe!
The perfect recipe for when you’re short on time but still want a delicious, real food dinner, 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken is a snap to prep and requires just a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients: chicken, onion, bell pepper, salsa, lime juice and salt
Tender, juicy, and incredibly simple to prepare, Slow Cooker Whole Chicken and Vegetables is a satisfying one-pot meal made with whole chicken, potatoes, carrots, garlic, and a hit of flavor from a simple balsamic sauce.
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken with Tomatoes and Basil
This healthy slow cooker balsamic chicken with tomatoes and basil is a fresh, easy meal that draws on the flavors of bruschetta for a simple, flavorful meal everyone will love. It’s one of those recipes that we find ourselves making on repeat week after week!
Ingredients: chicken, roma or cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Cider Chicken is simple to prepare and yields super tender chicken in a sweet and savory sauce that everyone in the family will love.
Ingredients: chicken, apples, apple cider, onion, garlic powder and salt.
5 simple ingredients combine in juicy, succulent 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Garlic Balsamic Chicken, an effortless dinner recipe for any night of the week.
Naturally sweet, tangy and oh-so delicious, Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken is a breeze to throw together and makes for a healthy dinner everyone will love!
Tender, juicy, and super delicious, buffalo turkey meatballs are a healthy appetizer or main dish, made with no breadcrumbs, and easy to prepare in the crockpot or in the oven.
Ingredients: ground turkey, grated onion, almond flour (or oat flour), nutritional yeast, granulated garlic powder, cayenne pepper sauce, butter (traditional or dairy-free) and salt
Made with carrots, celery, onions and potatoes, this comforting crockpot turkey soup is so easy to prepare. The perfect way to stretch leftover turkey meat into extra meals. Also has instructions for stovetop and the Instant Pot!
Ingredients: cooked turkey, chicken stock, onion, carrot, celery, potatoes, cream, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt
Made with ground turkey meat, tomato paste, ketchup, and simple spices, slow cooker turkey sloppy joes is a crowd-pleasing dinner that can also be made paleo and Whole30.
Ingredients: ground turkey, tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, onions, red bell peppers, water and salt.
These easy slow cooker turkey tacos combine ground turkey meat with tomato sauce & a few simple spices for the perfect, easy prep taco filling. Make tonight taco night!
Ingredients: ground turkey, tomato sauce, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, granulated garlic powder, paprika and salt
Crockpot Mini Turkey Meatball Vegetable Soup is hearty one-pot meal that’s packed with the good stuff. A gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, whole30 recipe your family will love.
Ingredients: ground turkey (or ground beef), onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, tomatoes, stock, spinach, Italian seasoning and other spices
A simple drop, stir, cover, and go recipe; Slow Cooker Enchilada Quinoa (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free) is so easy to prepare, tastes amazing, and packs well for lunch the next day.
Ingredients: quinoa, canned black beans, bell pepper, onion, cumin, garlic powder, mild chili powder, tomato sauce, diced fire-roasted tomatoes, green chilis, lime juice and salt
This recipe for slow cooker barbecue chickpeas tastes as good as classic meat barbecue! It combines traditional flavors of a sweet and spicy homemade barbecue sauce and meaty chickpeas in the slow cooker for a plant-based twist on barbecue.
Ingredients: chickpeas, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, tomato paste, maple syrup (or honey), brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and water.
Simple and hearty, slow cooker hamburger soup is loaded with vegetables and ground beef, and can be simmered all day in the slow cooker or made in 35 minutes on the stovetop.
Ingredients: lean ground beef, onion, carrots, celery, tomato paste, chicken stock (or beef stock), olive oil, potatoes, red & yellow bell peppers, red wine vinegar, water, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt.
This easy, hearty slow cooker vegetable soup is made with a mix of cut veggies that stand up well to a longer cook time, such as carrots, potatoes, and celery (no mush veggies here!) Best of all, you can make it without sautéing the vegetables first, which is a nice time-saver, too!
Ingredients: potatoes, celery, carrot, onion, fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, peas, corn, green beans, stock, garlic powder, smoked paprika, bay leaves and salt.
This easy slow cooker corn chowder is a breeze to prep, and is a hearty vegetarian and vegan recipe that’s luxuriously creamy without a drop of cream. A surprisingly simple yet delicious dairy free meal to enjoy all year round!
Ingredients: russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, broth, coconut milk, onion, garlic, white wine vinegar and other spices
Slow Cooker Vegetable and Quinoa Soup is a hearty, vegetarian meal that's easy to make and completely satisfying. Warm, nourishing, and so simple, you'll want to make this soup for dinner tonight!
This Crock Pot Italian Wedding Soup is an easy prep, gluten-free & dairy-free take on the classic everyone knows and loves! A delicious, cozy soup packed with veggies, leafy greens and hearty, tender meatballs. Also includes stovetop directions.
Cozy, warming, and wildly simple to prepare, this easy slow cooker butternut squash soup gets tons of flavor from sweet apple and doesn't contain any curry powder! Once you make it, this will become your new favorite butternut squash soup.
Ingredients: Butternut squash, apples, onion, carrot, turmeric, coconut milk, vegetable stock, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon and other spices.
Simple to make and bursting with fresh summer flavors, Crockpot Loaded Mexican Chicken Soup is perfect any time of year. A great recipe for all your farmer’s market finds, and paleo and Whole30 friendly, too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), chicken stock, zucchini, tomato sauce, leafy greens, onion, chili powder, cumin and other seasonings
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato, Apple & Turmeric Soup is a simple chop and drop recipe that yields creamy, nourishing results. It’s a hit with the entire family, plus is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo and Whole30 friendly!
Ingredients: sweet potato, apple, potatoes, stock, coconut milk, onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, turmeric and other seasonings
This easy slow cooker pumpkin soup recipe is so easy to prepare with canned pumpkin! It's a simple dump-and-go slow cooker meal that's perfectly rich, creamy and oh-so cozy.
Ingredients: canned pumpkin puree, vegetable stock, canned tomato sauce, cream or coconut milk, onion, garlic, cinnamon and salt.
This easy, healthy slow cooker creamy potato soup is a simple dump-and-go recipe, requiring just a short list of simple ingredients and can be topped with just about anything for a warm, nourishing meal any night of the week.
Ingredients: Yukon gold potatoes, onion, vegetable stock, raw cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic, and salt.
This homemade chicken soup can be made using an Instant Pot or slow cooker, depending on what you prefer! Either way, it comes out comforting, healthy, and so delicious. It is packed full of veggies and shredded chicken with a warming turmeric broth.
This simple recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken, Veggie, and Quinoa Stew is healthy, hearty and so delicious!
Ingredients: chicken breast (or thigh), stock, quinoa, zucchini, corn, garlic, onion, carrots, chickpeas, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and other spices
Slow Cooker Chicken and Chickpea Stew is a hearty meal in a bowl, full of chicken, chickpeas, veggies, and subtle Moroccan flavors.
Ingredients: chicken breast (or thigh), chickpeas, stock, onion, carrot, garlic, diced tomatoes, spinach, dried apricots, lemon juice and other spices.
This easy crockpot vegetarian chili recipe tastes delicious and is easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, three beans, vegetables, and spices. Gluten free and vegan!
Ingredients: black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, bell peppers, onion, fire roasted tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices
Crockpot white chicken chili is an easy prep, dump and go recipe, made with healthy ingredients and deliciously creamy without any dairy. Also includes Instant Pot and Stovetop instructions!
Ingredients: chicken breast, stock, white beans, mild green chilis, salsa verde, onion, garlic powder, cumin, cream cheese (traditional or dairy-free).
Made with pantry staples, Slow Cooker Turmeric Lentil Chili is incredibly simple to prepare and is packed with good-for-you ingredients. A vegetarian crockpot meal perfect for any night of the week!
Ingredients: kidney beans, lentils, stock, onion, tomato paste, coconut milk, cumin, turmeric and other spices
This easy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is a simple, healthy chili that's super easy to prep! So delicious and crowd-pleasing, it's a sure hit as a weeknight dinner, game day spread, or cozy meal for a weekend in.
Ingredients: ground turkey, canned beans, bell peppers, onion, sweet potato, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices.
Slow Cooker Paleo Turkey Apple Chili (+ 30-Minute Stovetop Option)
Sweet, spicy, and easy to throw together, Slow Cooker Paleo Turkey Apple Chili is perfect for fall or anytime of year. With a 30-Minute stovetop option you can make this one anytime.
Ingredients: ground turkey, onion, garlic, cumin, chipotle peppers, apples, tomato sauce, lime juice, and other seasonings
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Apple Cider Chili is a hearty sweet and savory vegetarian chili, combining a few simple ingredients into a quick, easy, and filling meal.
Ingredients: sweet potato, black beans, kidney beans, tomato sauce, onion, stock, apple cider, chili powder, and other spices
Crave-worthy Buffalo chicken gets a dairy-free makeover! Stuffed inside a tender sweet potato, and done completely in the slow cooker, 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken & Sweet Potatoes is your answer to dinner tonight.
Ingredients: chicken breasts, sweet potatoes, hot sauce, mayo, lime juice, coconut oil and salt
Glow Red Lentil Soup (Instant Pot, Crockpot, Stove Top)
Golden Glow Red Lentil Soup is an easy one-pot meal that’s bursting with nourishment. Simple to make in the Instant Pot, Crockpot, or stovetop, you’re going to love this gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian recipe.
Ingredients: red lentils, coconut milk, tomatoes, onion, lime juice, garlic, ginger, turmeric and other spices
Packed with protein and veggies, this hearty Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Stew is easy to throw together and makes the perfect one-pot meal. Includes directions for making in your pressure cooker or Instant Pot!
Ingredients: chicken breast (or thigh), stock, potatoes, carrot, celery, onion, fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder and other seasonings
A versatile, filling, one-pot meal, slow cooker ranch chicken and veggies is made with a simple homemade ranch seasoning blend, chicken, carrots, and potatoes; making for an easy dinner recipe everyone will love!
Ingredients: chicken breasts, chicken stock, potatoes, carrots, yogurt (traditional or plant-based), mayo, apple cider vinegar, homemade ranch seasoning.
Slow Cooker Chicken, Kale, and Sweet Potato Soup is packed with protein and veggies and is so easy to make with a short list of simple ingredients. Your new paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, whole30, healthy go-to crockpot recipe!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), sweet potatoes, lacinato kale, chicken stock, extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning
This 3-bean crockpot turkey chili is an easy, one-pot meal made with ground turkey, hearty beans, simple spices, and plenty of vegetables. Perfect for busy weeknights! Plus 50+ more healthy crockpot recipes that the whole family will love.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, then stir, breaking the ground turkey apart with a wooden spoon.
Allow the turkey to brown on one side, about 4-5 minutes, then stir to flip the turkey. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, and additional ½ teaspoon salt. Stir to combine.
Cook an additional 3-4 minutes until the turkey is browned and the onion and pepper are softened, stirring occasionally.
Carefully transfer the turkey, onion, and bell pepper mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the sweet potato, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir until well combined.
Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
Uncover, stir, and add the lime juice and hot sauce if using. Taste and add additional salt or hot sauce if desired. Serve with toppings of your choice.
Notes
Without the hot sauce this chili is extremely mild. Adding the hot sauce at the end adds a much needed kick of spice and tang. I used Cholula hot sauce for this recipe.If you’re sensitive to heat skip the hot sauce and add extra lime juice and a bit more salt. Use ground beef instead of ground turkey if you like.You can also use 99% lean turkey. It might be slightly drier, but will still taste good.Don’t have three types of beans? Use three cans of any singular type of bean, or even just one can will work.Skip the sweet potato if you’re not a fan, or substitute butternut squash instead.