Best Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

A collection of best loved healthy slow cooker chicken recipes for easy, delicious dinners that are waiting for you at the end of the day.

A collection of six different easy, healthy slow cooker recipes using chicken with a text overlay in the middle.

These healthy slow cooker chicken recipes are some of my family's favorites for easy, hands off dinners. I use my crock pot ALL year long and these are the recipes I come back to again and again.

My hope is you'll find a few new recipes below that become reliable family favorites in your house. And that welcome you home to a dinner that's waiting on you!

First, a few quick-hit slow cooker chicken favorites if you need a shortcut:

Most popular: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Easiest: 3-ingredient Mexican Shredded Chicken
Creamiest: Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken
Complete meal: Crock Pot Mediterranean Chicken
Bold flavor: Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

OK, let's dive all the way in.

Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

These are some of my most loved, most repeated recipes. They are easy to make, family friendly and a delight to dig into!

These crock pot chicken recipes are the main dish protein part of your meal. I've also included some simple pairing ideas below to round out your dinner.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is just 5 ingredients and minutes to prep and smells amazing as it cooks! You'll want to drizzle this delicious sauce over your whole plate! Serve with steamed rice and a steamed veggie, like broccoli or snow peas.

Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken is just a few basic ingredients and quick to prep, with a deliciously creamy sauce that coats every piece. Perfect for an easy, hands-off family dinner! It goes great with rice or even potatoes and a side salad or steamed veggie.

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken is just 3 easy ingredients and minutes to prep, but has such delicious flavor! Use it for tacos, nachos, grain bowls, sliders, salads and more!

Crock Pot Whole Chicken takes just 10 minutes to prep then is hands off as it cooks for perfectly tender, flavorful chicken that can be used in so many ways.

Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma is marinated in the perfect mixture of spices and slow cooked until incredibly tender, flavorful and delicious. Serve with pitas, over rice or hummus, or in a salad or grain bowl.

Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken is easy to prep with just a few ingredients for a simple weeknight dinner that has big flavor! It's great with rice to soak up the sauce. Add some green beans or a salad to round out dinner.

Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken is an easy recipe using chicken thighs and dried apricots for a delicious dinner with big, fresh flavor and an intoxicating aroma - your kitchen will smell amazing! We love this with couscous, orzo or rice and a salad or some green beans or asparagus.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken is a delicious Indian dish with tender chicken pieces in a creamy tomato sauce that's packed with spices and flavor! This hands-off crock pot version is perfect for a yummy dinner that's quick and easy to prep! Serve with naan or rice and a veggie salad.

Healthy slow cooker chicken meals

These dishes are more all-in-one full meals with vegetables included. Some might have a simple side dish pairing (ideas included below) but otherwise, you are all set!

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken is quick and easy to prep and bursting with bright, healthy flavors. This meal is loaded with tomatoes, artichokes and olives and goes great with rice or couscous for a carb pairing. (This slow cooker Greek chicken has some similar flavors if you want to check it out, too.)

Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie is just 10 minutes to prep and comes out thick, rich and delicious, with juicy chicken pieces, tender veggies, a creamy gravy and fluffy biscuits to serve with it.

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole with potatoes and broccoli is a creamy, cheesy, comforting dinner the whole family will love!

Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is easy to prep and loaded with peppers, beans, tender chunks of chicken and plenty of delicious spices. Add your favorite toppings, maybe some crackers or cornbread, grab a spoon and dig into a warm bowl of this chili!

Bonus: more crock pot chicken recipes

Are you like me and you can't stop, won't stop with the slow cooker dinners? Here are a few additional recipes with fun, bold flavors to check out.

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a saucy, flavorful and cozy Italian style family dinner that's hands-off and great served over spaghetti or with rice.

Slow Cooker Bistro Chicken Thighs are easy to prep and cook all day in a delicious, rich red wine and tomato sauce. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta for a yummy dinner!

Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is quick and easy to prep, just 7 ingredients and comes out coated in a delicious peanut sauce! Great for meal prepping or an easy weeknight dinner!

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken has a silky smooth sauce with a deep, rich flavor. It makes for a really delicious, easy and healthy dinner any night of the week!

Slow Cooker Cranberry Dijon Chicken is just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep and has delicious, warm and cozy winter time flavors!

Slow Cooker Chicken Soups

There's something about a cozy soup for dinner that just feels like a warm hug at the end of the day. These recipes are sure to cure what ails you!

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is chock full of chunks of tender chicken and potatoes, pops of carrot and green beans and is perfect for a warm, cozy, healthy dinner on a chilly night.

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup uses simple ingredients, takes just 10 minutes to prep, and comes out so flavorful, brothy and comforting. Perfect for a hands-off cozy meal on a chilly day.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup takes just 10 minutes to prep and is light but hearty, flavorful and served with crispy tortilla strips for a great crunch.

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Stew is easy to prep and smells amazing as it cooks! It's perfect for a comforting, flavorful family dinner!

Slow Cooker Dos and Don'ts

DO remove excess fat from meats and poultry and remove the skin from poultry before adding it to the slow cooker.

DO brown ground beef, turkey or chicken before adding it to the slow cooker.

DO layer ingredients so that those that take the longest to cook are on the bottom.

DO cut vegetables into similar sized pieces so they cook evenly.

DO add tender vegetables, seafood, pasta and dairy products toward the end of the cooking time so they don't get mushy or curdle.

DO use the "warm" setting if you aren't ready to serve your meal immediately.

DON'T take the lid off during the cooking time (unless instructed). A slow cooker can lose 20-30 minutes of cook time when the lid is removed and the heat escapes.

DON'T add too much liquid to the slow cooker. Very little evaporation happens during slow cooking and the foods will give off moisture.

DON'T use metal utensils or abrasive sponges, they can scrape the slow cooker insert. Choose rubber, plastic or wooden utensils and soft sponges.

DON'T reheat leftovers in the slow cooker. Use the microwave or stove instead.

Pro tip: Fresh citrus juice and/or fresh herbs can add a boost of flavor to a finished slow cooker dish.

I hope you find some new go-to crock pot chicken recipes that you can pull out of your back pocket on those busy days. And I hope they give you back some time and sanity.

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

P.S. You can browse ALL of my slow cooker chicken recipes (yes, there are more!) and find more slow cooker recipes of all varieties.

Or if you had intended to make a crock pot dinner but the day got away from you and now it's 6 pm, I've been there. Pivot to one of these 15 minute dinners instead!