Looking for creative healthy dinner ideas that will keep you and your family warm this winter? Well, you’re in luck! We have some recipes that will take the anxiety out of “What’s for dinner?” All you need is a crock-pot.
Why use a crock-pot?
Well, crock-pots are easy and convenient. You can put it on before heading out to work and come home to a delicious, hot meal in the evening. To make things easier, try prepping the ingredients ahead of time, so you can quickly throw your ingredients in the pot and go! And without further ado, here are some of our healthy favorite crock-pot recipes for the winter.
1. Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. chicken breast
- 8 oz of your favorite noodles (or replace with “zoodles,” zucchini noodles, to make this dish even healthier!)
- 10 cups of chicken broth
- 2 stalks of celery, sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 sprigs of thyme
- Black pepper
- Salt to taste
You want to combine your chicken breast, seasoning and vegetables in the crock-pot before pouring in your broth. Cover and allow this to cook on low for about 6 to 8 hours, just in time for you to return home from work. Remove the chicken from your crock-pot, take out the bones and dice it up, adding the diced chicken breast back into your crock-pot. Then, add in your noodles, which will only take about 25 minutes or until tender.
2. Chili
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground turkey or beef
- 2 cans kidney beans, rinsed
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- Black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Sliced avocado (Optional)
You want to add all of your ingredients to the crock-pot, except for the avocado. This will take about 8 to 10 hours to cook. When you’re ready to serve, top with your sliced avocado for a yummy touch full of healthy fats!
3. Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground turkey
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- Lettuce leaves
- Salt to taste
- Green onions, finely chopped (Optional)
You’re going to want to combine your ingredients in the crock-pot, except for the lettuce leaves, which will be stuffed with your crock-pot mixture later. Cook on low to 4 to 6 hours. When you’re ready to serve, scoop your mixture into your lettuce leaves, which you can top with your green onions for a fresh and tasty meal.
4. Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 bell peppers, sliced
- 2 onions, sliced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 tsp. cumin
- 1/2 to 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
- Black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Tortillas
- Guacamole (Optional)
- Sour cream (Optional)
- Salsa (Optional)
Add your chicken breasts, bell peppers, onions and seasonings to the crock-pot. Cook on low for 6 hours, making sure that your chicken breast is cooked through. When cooked, slice your chicken breast, bell peppers and onions into strips. Next, add as much as you would like to your fajitas, topping with your choice of guacamole, sour cream and salsa.
5. Chicken and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. chicken breast
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup broth
- 1/2 cup light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. sesame oil (Optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds (Optional)
You want to combine your chicken, broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and green onions in the crock-pot. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Add the broccoli and cook for an additional 25 minutes. Slice chicken breast into strips. Top with sesame seeds.
If you don’t already have a crock-pot, then go out and get one! It can be so easy to neglect your health in the winter due to fatigue or lack of interest. However, healthy eating in the winter keeps us energized, functioning better, less likely to get sick and sleeping soundly at night.
Leave A Comment