Healthy Crock Pot Recipes

[beautyinprogress]

We're all pressed for time and need quick and easy ways to get as much protein as possible prepared for the week, so here are a few of my favorite crock pot recipes.

Chicken:
4-5 frozen chicken breasts
baby carrots
2-3 small potatoes
1 small/medium yellow onion
Cover with Lite Italian dressing or low sugar BBQ sauce


Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 4-6 hours.

If you use the Italian Dressing strain everything before storing or the extra dressing congeals in the fridge.

**You can substitute pork chops for the chicken breasts.**

[beautyinprogress]

Healthy Chili Recipe

1lb ground turkey
1 package low sodium chili seasoning
1 small onion chopped
1 can red kidney beans
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes
diced garlic

Brown the turkey meat in a skillet and then combine all in the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Top with low fat sour cream and low fat cheddar cheese.

[beautyinprogress]

Veggie Chili

Combine:
1 can black beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can Rotel
1 small bag frozen corn
1 small onion chopped
1 small zucchini sliced
1 small green pepper
1 jar medium salsa

Cook on high 3-4 hours or on low 6-8 hours. Top with low fat sour cream and low fat cheese, and if you're not cutting you can use Tostitos scoops for dipping.

[firespinner93]

Thanks, Beauty. These are awesome.

[BootyBootyBooty]

Thanks for these!

[Mynxie]

Yum....these all sound delicious!

I also like to just put frozen chicken breasts in with a jar of salsa (enough to cover the chicken) and cook on low 6-8 hours depending on the size of the chicken breasts. Then pull the chicken apart and wrap in a low-carb tortilla with low-fat cheese and warm in the toaster oven.

[alygrrl]

My slowcooker Chicken Stew:

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into bite size pieces
1-1/2 onion, chopped
3/4 pound baby carrots
2 large sweet potatoes, chopped into chunks
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 to 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 cup tomato paste
1 1/2 to 2 cup water
1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper (optional)

note: I cooked the chicken slightly beforehand in a deep pan with a splash of evoo and crushed garlic. Also, I used homemade chicken stock insted of water.

1. In a large pot, put the chopped onion, chicken breast meat, carrots and potatoes. Add the salt and turmeric. Dissolve the tomato paste in water and add. If desired, add garlic powder and ground black pepper to season.
2.Cook FOR 2-2 1/2 Hours on a high heat in your slow cooker . Serve.

[FitCat]

Is there any reason that any of these recipes can't be adjusted to be cooked on simmer in a regular large sauce or stewing pan? Just curious, as I do not yet have a crock pot and would like to try one of these recipes out tonight.

[beautyinprogress]

Originally Posted by FitCat

Is there any reason that any of these recipes can't be adjusted to be cooked on simmer in a regular large sauce or stewing pan? Just curious, as I do not yet have a crock pot and would like to try one of these recipes out tonight.

I don't see why not, but if you have an electric stove, you'll be sucking up a lot of juice for a long time. I noticed a decent drop in my electric bill when I started using my crock pot.

[FitCat]

Originally Posted by beautyinprogress

I don't see why not, but if you have an electric stove, you'll be sucking up a lot of juice for a long time. I noticed a decent drop in my electric bill when I started using my crock pot.

I have a gas stove, so that should not be a problem. Will try a few recipes out, see how it goes.

Any thoughts on how to adjust the cooking time, if you are NOT using a crock pot? (can you tell I am no Martha Stewart in the kitchen??? )

[FitCat]

Originally Posted by beautyinprogress

We're all pressed for time and need quick and easy ways to get as much protein as possible prepared for the week, so here are a few of my favorite crock pot recipes.

Chicken:
4-5 frozen chicken breasts
baby carrots
2-3 small potatoes
1 small/medium yellow onion
Cover with Lite Italian dressing or low sugar BBQ sauce


Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 4-6 hours.

If you use the Italian Dressing strain everything before storing or the extra dressing congeals in the fridge.

**You can substitute pork chops for the chicken breasts.**

question: How much liquid (dressing) are you needing to cover the breasts and the veggies? Wouldn't you need a good amount and doesn't this add up in calories?

[beautyinprogress]

Originally Posted by FitCat

question: How much liquid (dressing) are you needing to cover the breasts and the veggies? Wouldn't you need a good amount and doesn't this add up in calories?

I use a small bottle plus 4-8oz's of water and then strain all of it before eating/storing or else the dressing congeals in the fridge. Straining it just leaves the spices behind on the meat and veggies, and I use a dresing made with olive oil.

[FitCat]

Originally Posted by beautyinprogress

I use a small bottle plus 4-8oz's of water and then strain all of it before eating/storing or else the dressing congeals in the fridge. Straining it just leaves the spices behind on the meat and veggies, and I use a dresing made with olive oil.

I am making this in my oven right now. Found a small, narrow glass baking dish, threw in a chicken breast (non-frozen), carrots, onions & peppers and needed to put in at least 3/4 - 1 full cup of dressing. I am baking at 350 until done. Will be interesting to see if I can strain off a lot of the dressing. Otherwise, I will be consuming a lot of liquid calories!

[beautyinprogress]

Crock Pot Chicken Soup

3-4 thin chicken breasts cut up into little pieces
1 can or 1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 c. brown rice
48 oz's low sodium chicken broth

Cook on high 3-4 hours or on low 6-8 hours. I can get 2-3 meals out of one batch. It's great to pack and take to work.