14 Healthy Slow-Cooker Dinner Recipes to Make Immediately

When it comes to crockpots, comfort food doesn't always mean calorie-packed. With vegan, Paleo, and low-calorie options, these 14 crockpot dinners are a healthier take on warm, cozy dishes.

Additional reporting by Lizzie Fuhr, Nicole Perry, Brinton Parker, and Jenny Sugar

POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Santa Fe-Style Paleo Vegetable Soup

You can add shredded chicken to this Paleo-optimized recipe for additional protein, but it's perfectly tasty as a vegetarian dish!

POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Chicken Fajitas

These chicken fajitas require just five ingredients, with no additional cook time necessary. All you do is layer the ingredients and let your crockpot do its magic. This high-protein, low-calorie recipe is delicious, satisfying, and full of metabolism-boosting spice.

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Squash, Sweet Potato, Carrot, and White Bean Soup

It may sound complicated, but this seasonal slow-cooker soup only calls for eight ingredients!

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Vegetarian Chili

You know those days where you have a bunch of random vegetables in the fridge? The simple solution to using them all is this vegetarian chili loaded with zucchini, tomatoes, corn, and a ton of other pantry staples.

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Butternut Squash Lentil Soup

After you finish making eight servings of this vegetarian butternut squash and lentil soup, you can freeze the leftovers for a rainy (or exceptionally busy!) day.

POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Low-Calorie Beef and Vegetable Stew

Paleo dieters will love this beef and veggie stew, which only requires 20 minutes of preparation time before slow-cooking to perfection.

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Chickpea Coconut Curry With Sweet Potatoes

This delicious vegan dish of slow-cooker chickpea coconut curry with sweet potatoes will leave you feeling super cozy (and full!) without excess calories.

POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Low-Calorie Sweet and Sour Chicken

At 48 grams of protein and fewer than 350 calories per serving, this healthy take on a Chinese takeout favorite is so much better than Panda Express!

POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Protein-Rich Mexican Chicken

Thanks to lean chicken breasts and toasted pumpkin seeds, this tender Mexican chicken dish is packed full of protein.

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Split Pea Soup

Few comfort foods are quite as rich as split pea soup, but the vegetable and ham dish can be time-consuming at the best of times. Try preparing it in your slow cooker for a warm, fiber- and protein-rich dinner that's ready when you get home!

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Vegan Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup

Here's a vegan take on the classic. You can make this on the stove much faster, but it's also a great slow-cooker recipe if you have the time to cook it while you're at work. Made with split peas, celery, and sweet potatoes, this hearty soup is only 254 calories per serving.

POPSUGAR Photography | Susannah Chen

Braised Chicken

Chefs swear by skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts because they provide the most flavorful, moist meat. Braising the chicken also helps retain the moisture, and it leaves you with a flavorful – and lean – tomato-sage broth that can be poured over quinoa or your favorite healthy grains.

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Roasted Chicken

Yes, it's entirely possible to roast a chicken in your slow cooker. By doing so, you'll have the makings of healthy recipes for a week!

POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Spicy Chicken Chili

Chili is one of the most common slow-cooker recipes, and this one made with ground chicken and kidney beans is sure to satisfy without breaking the calorie bank — it's only 324 calories per serving. This dish is made using a Dutch oven on the stove, but you can easily adapt this recipe to be made in a slow cooker; just keep it on low.

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