17 High Protein Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Busy Days

There are few things better than coming home to a warm, homemade meal—especially when your slow cooker does all the work for you! And while slow cooking has a reputation for being comfort food, these easy recipes all have a great amount of protein, too. Whether you’re looking for protein-packed soups, veggie-loaded stews, or comforting lean proteins, these healthy slow cooker recipes make dinnertime effortless.

Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes

Make this crockpot chicken and potatoes for a cozy dinner any night of the week. This recipe uses flavorful (and budget-friendly) chicken thighs and baby potatoes for a filling and satisfying meal. Serve with a side salad for a complete meal that is ready when you get home from work.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes.

Slow Cooker Brats

A tray of brats with kraut over the top. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

If you have ten minutes and a slow cooker you can make this Wisconsin-style brat recipe. You will appreciate this recipe as the temperatures dip below freezing, as you can get the flavor you crave without freezing over the grill!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Brats.

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Once your shredded chicken is done cooking in the slow cooker, layer it on some slider rolls with melty cheese and ranch butter over the top. A quick cook in the oven and everything is melty and delicious! Serve with carrots, celery, and extra ranch.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sliders.

Crockpot Beef Stew With Dumplings

Pattys-Crockpot-Beef-Tip-Stew-with-Dumplings — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

If you need a comforting, delicious, and hearty meal, look no further, because this crock pot beef stew with dumplings is it. It’s everything you want in comfort food – rich flavors, satisfying and not fussy, made with simple ingredients, and feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Beef Tip Stew with Dumplings.

Slow Cooker Turkey Squash Chili

turkey black bean chili — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

This slow cooker butternut squash chili recipe is exactly what you need to make the next time you find yourself craving something nutritious, delicious, and super filling. It has a delicious sweet and savory flavor and is easily customizable when served with a variety of toppings.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Squash Chili.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

A bowl of creamy chicken soup with mushrooms and wild rice. — Photo Credit: xoxo Bella.

Make chicken and wild rice soup in the slow cooker for a wholesome and easy dinner that is so delicious, that no one can stop at just one bowl. This soup is creamy, thick and so cozy and it’s a great dish to make if you have leftover chicken.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup.

Crockpot Shredded Beef

shredded beef in a slow cooker — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

This shredded beef recipe is so versatile that you will want to make it time and time again. Top tacos with it, make sandwiches piled high with shredded beef, make some epic nachos, or add it to beef stew. The possibilities are endless, and you are sure to enjoy all of the options!

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Shredded Beef.

Crockpot Pesto Chicken

Chunks of pesto chicken with cheese and tomato chunks on a bun. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

You’ll need just two ingredients for this flavorful and juicy chicken. It uses budget-friendly chicken thighs to stretch your grocery budget and keep your chicken juicy. Pile this saucy chicken on bread for sandwiches and add a bit of fresh mozzarella and fresh tomatoes for a Caprese-inspired meal.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Pesto Chicken.

Crockpot Chicken and Gravy

A pile of noodles on a plate, topped with chicken and gravy, with peas to the side. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

This crockpot chicken and gravy recipe is a great choice for weeknights when you want something comforting, filling, and delicious – without a lot of prep time or work to make it happen. Chicken thighs are cooked in a creamy gravy and served over tender egg noodles with a veggie on the side. It’s the ultimate comfort food dinner!

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken and Gravy.

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki

A plate of teriyaki chicken over greens. — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

If you are craving takeout at home, try this slow-cooker recipe for chicken teriyaki! You’ll have a flavorful and easy dinner waiting for you – with minimal work. The chicken is coated in a jarred teriyaki sauce for a true dump-and-go recipe! Serve with rice and a veggie and dinner is done.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki.

Sweet Potato and Quinoa Chili

A bowl of meatless chili, made with sweet potatoes and quinoa. — Photo Credit: Kitchen Treaty.

A hearty bowl of chili always hits the spot on a cold night. This chili starts with sweet potatoes and quinoa and adds beans, jalapeno peppers, and tomatoes to make a rich and hearty meatless meal that still has plant-based protein. Serve with cornbread on the side.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Quinoa Chili.

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

chicken and salsa — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

This crockpot salsa chicken is easy, versatile, and incredibly flavorful! Made with just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, let the slow cooker do the rest of the work. You’ll have flavorful and juicy chicken for tacos, salads, bowls, and more. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, this recipe is as delicious as it is effortless.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Salsa Chicken.

Shredded Buffalo Chicken

Slow cooker buffalo chicken is a must-make for dinner or game day snacks. This recipe is so easy, you only need five ingredients and a crockpot. Let the chicken cook low and slow in buffalo sauce to make a versatile protein option. Turn it into sandwiches, sliders, nachos, or even a buffalo chicken dip.

Get the Recipe: Shredded Buffalo Chicken.

Crockpot Ribs

A plate of bbq ribs with green onions over the top. — Photo Credit: Tastes of Lizzy T.

Make these saucy ribs in your crockpot for a fuss-free dinner option that will make the whole house smell amazing. These saucy ribs practically fall off the bone! You will love this recipe in the colder months when you don’t want to brave the weather to get great ribs, no grilling is required!

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Ribs.

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders

A slider filled with shredded bbq chicken and coleslaw. — Photo Credit: The Heirloom Pantry.

These saucy pulled chicken sliders are a quick, easy, and delicious dinner! The crunchy coleslaw topping adds texture, flavor, and color. You can also use the meat for a yummy spin on tacos, nachos, and more.

Get the Recipe: BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders.

Bison Stew

A bowl of stew made of red wine and bison meat.. — Photo Credit: In the Kitch.

This slow cooker bison stew is hearty, rich, and so flavorful! With chunks of mushrooms and a yummy red wine sauce, this stew makes a great alternative to the standard beef-based Irish-style stew. Prep it in ten minutes for an impressive family-style dinner.

Get the Recipe: Bison Stew.

Pulled BBQ Chicken

A plate of saucy, shredded bbq chicken. — Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

The slow cooker makes the best BBQ chicken! The recipe is simple to prepare and only takes a few moments to prep. Let it cook all day for a saucy, tangy shredded chicken that goes great on sandwiches, over nachos, or served in rice bowls.

Get the Recipe: Pulled BBQ Chicken.