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Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for 1-Hour Less Stress

Okay, let’s be real for a sec. Trying to eat healthy, especially when you’re aiming for weight loss, feels like a full-time job sometimes, right? Between work, life, and just trying to remember where you put your keys, who has hours to spend slaving over a hot stove? I know I don’t! And honestly, that’s where my love affair with the slow cooker started. It’s like having a little kitchen helper who does all the heavy lifting while you go live your life.

That’s exactly why I created this Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget. Seriously, the name says it all! You literally toss everything in, walk away, and come back hours later to a delicious, nutritious meal that totally fits your healthy goals. No fuss, no constant stirring, just pure, effortless goodness. I’ve been making variations of this for years now, tweaking it to be absolutely perfect for busy weeknights or even easy meal prep. Trust me, once you try this, your slow cooker is going to become your new best friend!

Why This is a Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget

So, beyond the whole “set it and forget it” magic (which, let’s be honest, is a major win!), slow cooking is actually fantastic for weight loss. Why? Because it does amazing things to your food without needing tons of added fat. Everything stays super moist and tender just from cooking low and slow in its own juices. Plus, making a big batch like this makes portion control SO easy – you know exactly what’s in it, and you can just scoop out exactly what you need.

This particular Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget is a total rockstar because it’s packed with all the good stuff:

  • Lots of lean protein from the chicken to keep you feeling full.
  • Fiber-rich beans and veggies that are great for keeping things moving (if you know what I mean!).
  • Minimal processed stuff – we’re talking whole, real ingredients here.

It’s just a really smart way to get a complete, healthy meal on the table with zero stress.

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Ingredients for Your Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this magic happen. The beauty of this Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget is that it uses really simple, everyday ingredients you probably already have or can easily grab at the store. We’re keeping it real and fuss-free here!

Here’s the lineup:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (the lean protein superstar!)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, make sure these are rinsed and drained really well
  • 1 can (15 ounces) corn, just the kernels, drained
  • 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, don’t drain these, we want that juice!
  • 1 onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, also chopped up
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder (this brings the warm spice!)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin (adds that earthy depth)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (because garlic makes everything better!)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste, for seasoning

See? Nothing crazy! Just good, wholesome stuff ready to become dinner.

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How to Prepare Your Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget

Okay, this is where the “Set & Forget” part really shines! Seriously, the hardest thing about this Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss is opening the cans. You can do this, I promise!

  1. First things first, grab your slow cooker. Just lay those beautiful boneless, skinless chicken breasts right there in the bottom. They’re going to get so tender and juicy in there!
  2. Now, in a separate bowl (just a medium-sized one will do!), toss together your rinsed and drained black beans, the drained corn, the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (remember, don’t drain these!), your chopped onion, and that chopped green bell pepper. Give it a little stir to mix everything up.
  3. Carefully pour that colorful veggie and bean mixture right over the chicken in the slow cooker. It should pretty much cover the chicken up.
  4. Time for the flavor boost! Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder evenly over everything in the pot. Don’t be shy!
  5. Finally, give it a little sprinkle of salt and black pepper. You can always add more later if you need to, but this gets the flavor started.
  6. Pop the lid on your slow cooker. Now, you’ve got options! You can cook this on LOW for about 6 to 8 hours, which is perfect if you’re heading out for the day. Or, if you’re in a bit more of a hurry, crank it up to HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is cooked all the way through and shreds super easily with a fork.
  7. Once it’s done, carefully take the chicken out and shred it using two forks. It should practically fall apart! Put the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker with the rest of the mixture and give it a good stir. This helps all those amazing flavors marry together.
  8. And that’s it! Your delicious, healthy, and totally effortless dinner is ready to be served. See? I told you it was easy!

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Tips for Success with Your Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget

Okay, while this Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget is pretty hard to mess up (that’s the beauty of slow cooking!), here are a few little pointers I’ve picked up along the way to make sure it’s absolutely perfect every time.

First off, when you’re picking out your chicken, go for boneless, skinless breasts. They’re super lean and perfect for shredding. Make sure they’re roughly the same size so they cook evenly – nobody wants one piece done and another still raw!

About the spice level: the amount of chili powder I listed gives it a nice, mild warmth. If you like things hotter, feel free to add a little extra chili powder, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper! If you’re sensitive to spice, you can always start with less and add more to your individual serving.

Lastly, try not to lift the lid too much while it’s cooking! I know, it’s tempting because it smells amazing, but every time you peek, you let heat escape, which adds to the cooking time. Just trust the process and let it do its thing!

Serving Suggestions for This Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget

Alright, your amazing Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget is ready! Now, how to turn this into a complete, satisfying meal? My absolute favorite way to serve this is over a bed of brown rice or quinoa. They’re both fantastic healthy carbs that soak up all the yummy juices and make it super filling. If you want to keep things really light, it’s also fantastic just as is, maybe with a simple side salad tossed with a light vinaigrette. Sometimes I’ll even scoop it into lettuce cups for a low-carb option! Get creative and pile on your favorite healthy toppings too, like a dollop of plain Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream!) or some fresh cilantro.

Storing and Reheating Your Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget

Okay, one of the best things about this Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget (besides how easy it is!) is that it makes fantastic leftovers. Seriously, sometimes it tastes even better the next day after all those flavors have had a chance to really hang out together!

To store it, just let it cool down completely first. Then, spoon it into airtight containers. It’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for about 3-4 days. For reheating, you can just pop a single serving in the microwave until it’s heated through. If you’re reheating a bigger batch, a pot on the stove over medium heat works great – just stir it occasionally. Super simple, super safe, and ready to enjoy again!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget

I get asked lots of questions about my recipes, which I love! It means you guys are trying them out, and that makes me so happy. Here are a few common questions I get about this Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget:

Can I use frozen chicken breasts? Absolutely! Just make sure they aren’t stuck together in a big frozen block. You might need to add a little extra cooking time, especially if cooking on low. I usually add about an hour or two when I use frozen.

What can I substitute for the black beans or corn? You can totally swap them out! Kidney beans, pinto beans, or even chickpeas would work great instead of black beans. For the corn, you could use canned or frozen, or even add some diced zucchini or bell peppers for extra veggies.

Can I freeze leftovers? Yes, this recipe freezes beautifully! Just portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags once it’s completely cooled. It should be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

How can I make it spicier? If you’re a heat lover, feel free to double the chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes when you add the other seasonings. You could also stir in some hot sauce after it’s cooked!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a quick note about the nutrition info I’ve shared! The numbers you see here are estimates, okay? They’re calculated based on the specific ingredients and amounts used in my recipe, but things like the exact brand of canned goods or the size of your chicken breasts can make tiny differences. So, think of it as a helpful guide rather than gospel truth! It gives you a really good idea of the healthy goodness packed into each serving of this Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget.

Enjoy Your Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget

And there you have it! Your super simple, incredibly delicious, and totally healthy Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget is ready to be devoured. I really hope you give this one a try because it’s become such a staple in my own kitchen for those busy days. If you make it, please come back and let me know what you think! Leave a comment below or rate the recipe – I absolutely love hearing how it turns out for you!

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Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for Weight Loss – Set & Forget

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipe for 1-Hour Less Stress


  • Author: goforecipes.com
  • Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Low Calorie

Description

Effortlessly healthy slow cooker meal perfect for weight loss. Prepare in minutes and let the slow cooker do the work for a delicious and nutritious dinner.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
  • 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. In a bowl, combine black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, onion, and green bell pepper.
  3. Pour vegetable mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
  4. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder over the ingredients.
  5. Season with salt and black pepper.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and shreds easily.
  7. Shred chicken with two forks and stir into the mixture.
  8. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Serve with brown rice, quinoa, or a side salad for a complete meal.
  • This recipe is great for meal prep. Divide into portions for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
  • Adjust spice level by adding more or less chili powder.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 8g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: healthy slow cooker recipe, weight loss, chicken, black beans, corn, set and forget

Recipe rating