How to cook in a slow cooker
Did you know that there are easier ways to cook your food? One of them is by using a slow cooker. To those of you who are not familiar with it, a slow cooker uses a low-temperature cooking method to help tenderize less-expensive cuts of meats which will then bring out the flavor in your meals. Furthermore, a wide variety of foods can be cooked in a slow cooker which includes one-pot meals, soups, stews, and casseroles! And if you are looking for a cooking method that does not require a lot of pre-preparation, then a slow cooker will be your new best friend.
However, just like any other cooking method and equipment, there are certain actions and steps to follow to make the best out of your slow cooker. Here are some tips:
- Don’t skip preheating. This is the most commonly overlooked step yet you should know that a slow cooker is like a small oven so preheating it for about 20 minutes will matter a lot.
- Start with room temperature meat. Like other cooking methods, starting with cold meat is not recommended. Room temperature meat is more flexible and the meat’s natural juices will be evenly distributed.
- Choose the right cut. It is good to know that leaner cuts like pork tenderloin will tend to dry out in a slow cooker (or any cooking method). Likewise, dark meat chicken will remain juicer than white-meat breasts. And chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders, and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker.
- Avoid overcrowding. For the best results, fill a slow cooker between one-half and two-thirds full.
Crockpot chicken recipes
There are many benefits and reasons as to why you may want to use your slow cooker for certain meals. A top reason would be is that slow cookers help tenderize less-expensive cuts of meat and actually brings out the flavor in foods. And in this case, chicken would be perfect. While chicken is meant to be slow-cooked from raw, many do like to just brown or sear it first. This can help to lock in moisture, speed up cooking time, or simply to improve the visual appearance of the finished dish. Keep in mind that chicken will release a lot of liquid during cooking.
Here is an easy chicken slow cooker recipe you can follow:
Ingredients
4 Chicken breasts;
2 red onions, sliced;
1 tbsp. chilli powder;
1/2 tbsp. paprika;
2 tsp. garlic powder;
Salt
Black pepper;
Preparation
In a bowl, combine the chili powder, paprika, and garlic. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Rub the chicken breasts with the chili powder mixture.
Arrange the onions in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Place the chicken breasts on top of the bed of onions, and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Brush the chicken breasts with the liquid from the bottom of the slow cooker and serve.
Healthy crockpot comfort food recipes
It’s time to use an alternative healthier method for cooking! Less oil means less exposure to certain health risks. And if you have a slow cooker in your house, then the process will be much easier. With that said, here are healthy slow cooker recipes you will enjoy.
15.
Melt in your mouth, healthier, easy crockpot butter chicken is a creamy Indian inspired dish, using anti-inflammatory rich spices, coconut milk, tomato paste, and yogurt.
Check it here.
14.
This easy 21 Day Fix turkey chili crock pot recipe is one of our go-to dinners! It’s super quick to throw into the crockpot, and it’s always a family favorite! Plus, you can top it with a little avocado, greek yogurt, or hot sauce to customize it!
Check it here.
13. Slow-Cooker Chicken With Orange Sauce {And Grand Marnier}
This Slow-Cooker Chicken with Orange Sauce and Grand Marnier is an adaptation from one of my early posts from 2011, Slow Cooker Cornish Game Hens with Grand Marnier.
Check it here.
12.
This chicken tagine is a much-loved North-African stew made with chicken slow-cooked with spices, dried fruit, and nuts. Aromatic and flavorful, this stew is perfect for a festive meal!
Check it here.
11.
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken is an awesome lighter alternative to other shredded meat recipes such as Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork or beef. It has the rich smokey depth of flavour of the American BBQ style of cooking but with a faster cooking time and lower fat content. It’s also really easy to prepare!
Check it here.
10. Crockpot Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken
This Crockpot Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is so good and makes an easy healthy meal! Pair with a side of quinoa or brown rice and steamed veggies!
Check it here.
9.
This Slow Cooker Chicken Potato Soup is an easy and healthy recipe made in the crockpot. It’s full of chunky vegetables and is dairy free!
Check it here.
8. Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken
Turn plain chicken in to this slow cooked flavour sensation. This melt in your mouth Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken is bursting with wonderful North African flavour.
Check it here.
7. Slow Cooker Black Bean Chili
This slow cooker black bean chili is almost too easy. It’s vegan as well!
Check it here.
6. Kabocha Squash Chili
Kabocha squash chili made in the slow cooker is a hearty vegetarian chili that’s filling, flavorful and great in the colder months when you can find kabocha squash in season. The Japanese squash brings a nutty, subtly sweet flavor to the chili while bulking it up without the need for meat.
Check it here.
5. Slow Cooker Chunky Beef Chili
This Slow Cooker Chili uses chuck steak instead of ground beef for a Keto chili without beans. Hearty, flavorful, gluten free, low carb.
Check it here.
4.
There is a certain Mexican restaurant that’s very popular in our hometown, and maybe in yours. Its also very popular in my house, and maybe in yours. Sweet Pork Barbacoa Salads? Creamy Tomatillo Dressing? Chile Roasted Beef Burritos? Ring a bell? Maybe you know what I’m talking about…
Check it here.
3.
Chanterelle Beef Stew made in the slow cooker gives you a great smelling house all day with a delicious meal to look forward in the end. Start making this stew the night before you plan to enjoy it, so that the beef can marinate overnight before spending the next day in the slow cooker.
Check it here.
2. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup
This slow cooker sweet potato soup is an incredible dish that will even make your grandmother jealous! A definite winter warmer, preparing this recipe is almost too easy. See more hearty crockpot meals perfect for winter.
Check it here.
1.
All the great flavours of your favourite vegetable pot pie, with a low calorie, healthier twist! This delicious slow cooker meal is perfect for a busy weeknight meal, or lazy weekend. It’s rich, creamy, velvety, and seriously drool-worthy!
Check it here.
Healthy Slow Cooker Meals - 15 Best Slow Cooker Recipes
If you have a slow cooker in your house, then the cooking process will be much easier. With that said, here are healthy slow cooker recipes you will enjoy.
Ingredients
- CROCKPOT BUTTER CHICKEN
- TURKEY CHILI CROCK POT
- CHICKEN WITH ORANGE SAUCE
- CHICKEN TAGINE
- PULLED CHICKEN
Instructions
- Choose any slow cooker recipes from the post that you like.
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best slow cooker recipes and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.