Set It & Forget It: High-Protein Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy Days

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High-Protein Slow Cooker Recipes are a great way to create delicious and healthy meals while saving time. Using a slow cooker allows you to prepare hearty meals without standing over the stove. These recipes work for busy schedules, meal prepping, or anyone wanting something nutritious and easy. Plus, the slow cooking process helps develop amazing textures and flavors.

Collage of delicious high-protein slow cooker recipes featuring chicken, beef, and a creamy dish, with a text overlay that reads "20+ High-Protein Slow Cooker Recipes.

Cooking Tips

  • Choose the right cuts of meat: Slow cooking tougher cuts tenderizes them over time.
  • Layer ingredients strategically: Place denser items like root vegetables at the bottom of the slow cooker and proteins on top for even cooking.
  • Donโ€™t overfill the cooker: Leave some space at the top to allow proper circulation and avoid uneven cooking.
  • Use the *right liquid ratio: Slow cookers trap moisture, so you donโ€™t need much liquid. Too much can result in a watery dish.
  • Avoid lifting the lid: Every time you lift the lid, heat escapes, and cooking time increases. Trust the process and check it only when necessary.


PMc says:

One thing I love about high-protein slow cooker recipes is how versatile they are. You can customize the ingredients to match your preferences or what you have on hand.

Also, aย pro tipย to remember isย to brown your proteinย before adding it to the slow cooker. This adds flavor and helps lock in the juices for better results.

How much *liquid do I add to a slow cooker?

Add just enough liquid to cover the base of the ingredients, usually around half to two-thirds full of the pot, as the ingredients will release their own moisture during cooking;ย this means you should typically reduce the amount of liquid called for in a traditional recipe by about a third to half when adapting it for a slow cooker.

High-Protein Slow Cooker Recipes FAQs

How do I avoid overcooking meat in the slow cooker?

Use the low setting for longer cooking times, and if your slow cooker has a timer, set it to switch to warm once the cooking time is done.

Can I prep the ingredients the night before?

Yes, you can chop vegetables and measure out seasonings in advance. Store everything in the refrigerator until youโ€™re ready to start cooking.

Whatโ€™s the best way to thicken sauces in a slow cooker?

If the sauce is too thin, mix a small amount of cornstarch or flour with cold water, then stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.



Get these 20+ high-protein recipes below by clicking on the title or the photo.

Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken

CROCK POT MISSISSIPPI CHICKEN RECIPE

Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken has just four recipes but has so much flavor. This is the easiest slow cooker chicken recipe, it's super tender, juicy, tangy, and very versatile. The perfect weeknight meal.
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Shredded hoisin chicken in slow cooker

Slow Cooker Hoisin Chicken

You'll love the convenience of this chicken recipe. It's basically a pile-everything-in-the-slow-cooker and go recipe. It has great Asian flavor with a little kick of heat.
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Crock Pot Rotel Crack Chicken

CROCK POT ROTEL CRACK CHICKEN

This chicken recipe is hearty and easy to make in the slow cooker. It's a versatile recipe, you can serve it as is, as a sandwich, in a wrap, on a salad or on nachos.
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Slow Cooker Spicy Sweet Country-style Ribs

Slow Cooker Spicy Sweet Country-style Ribs

I love bonelessย country-style ribsย with their fall-off-the-bone tender meat and rich flavor.
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My at-home recipe of Crock Pot General Tso Chicken

Crock Pot General Tso Chicken

This family favorite meal is our favorite Chinese take-out dish. It's easy to make and healthier than the restaurant version.
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Shredded chicken in buffalo sauce served with a spoon.

Slow Cooker Creamy Buffalo Chicken

This incredibly flavorful chicken is a versatile slow cooker recipe. Slow Cooker Creamy Buffalo Chicken is tender, juicy, tangy, and spicy. Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken is perfect for sandwiches, pizza, quesadilla, nachos and more.
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Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe, sweet, sticky chicken in a delicious honey garlic sauce is a meal my whole family loves. #slowcooker #crockpot #chicken #Asian #honey #garlic #stickychicken #meal #familyfavorite #recipe #easy
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Delish Slow Cooker Korean Beef

Delish Slow Cooker Korean Beef

Delish Slow Cooker Korean Beef is simple yet full of flavor. #beef #roast #slowcooker #chuckroast #recipe #Korean #Asian
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Crock Pot Crack Chicken

Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe

Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe an easy ‘dump and go’ slow cooker recipe! Ten minutes of prep with ingredients you already have & endless meal possibilities.
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Slow Cooker Beef Roast | Beef Hoagies

Slow Cooker Beef Roast | Beef Hoagies

This easy slow cooker beef recipe is so tender it falls apart and melts in your mouth! Plan for leftovers and have rolls or buns, cheese, peppers and onions available for your second meal.
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Slow Cooker Caribbean Pot Roast

SLOW COOKER CARIBBEAN POT ROAST

Slow Cooker Caribbean Pot Roast recipe – easy & short prep time. This economical cut of beef is transformed to tender, flavorful, hearty meal. #roast #beef #slowcooker #easy #caribbean
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Slow Cooker Asian Glazed Chicken

Slow Cooker Asian Glazed Chicken

Fall-apart tender, Slow Cooker Asian Glazed Chicken is a super easy recipe that your whole family will love.
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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos are unbelievably tender, juicy, versatile, and easy to make in your Crock-Pot! They are great for large crowds, busy nights, and make-ahead meals. #pork #pulledpork #recipe #slowcooker #tacos #easy #Mexican #Crockpot #carnitas
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Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken

Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken

Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken, this easy weeknight dinner has bold flavors. It's hearty, comforting, and great for any time of year! #slowcooker #chicken #Crockpot #recipes #Italian #creamy #zesty #shredded #easy #keto
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Easier-Than-Takeout Three Pack Slow Cooker Roast

Easier-Than-Takeout Three Pack Slow Cooker Roast

Slow cooker roast makes weeknight dinners a breeze!
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black beans

Easy Slow Cooker Black Beans

An easy, economical, and healthier dinner recipe! Easy Slow Cooker Black Beans are tasty and filling!
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3 bourbon whiskey meatballs on toothpicks.

Slow Cooker Bourbon Whiskey Meatballs

Meatballs are the quintessential party food and my Slow Cooker Bourbon Whiskey Meatballs are perfect for large potlucks or cocktails for a dozen of your friends. The recipe is versatile and economical, as well as, of course, delicious.
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3 ingredient pot roast on a serving platter.

3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pot Roast

3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pot Roast is moist, flavorful and very tender. Weekday dinners doesn’t get any easier!
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pork

Red Wine Pomegranate Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Slow cooking short ribs brings out an intense flavor. Bonus? slow cooking means you don't have to stand over the stove for hours!
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pinto beans

Slow Cooker Gluten Free Pinto Bean Recipe

Spicy and satisfying this Gluten Free Pinto Bean Recipe is a new addition to my diet. Spice the pintos with fresh jalapenos and add bacon and cilantro for flavor. Bonus they're very economical at pennies per serving!
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2 Two Pack Slow Cooker Roast

Two Pack Slow Cooker Roast

Two Pack Slow Cooker Roast is an easy weeknight dinner option. Full of flavor and totally hands-off cooking make this my co-to weeknight dinner recipe.

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Slow Cooker Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken

This is a moist, flavorful and delicious chicken!ย A simple spice mix is layered between the skin and chicken allowing forย maximum flavor cooked into the chicken.

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Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe, sweet, sticky chicken in a delicious honey garlic sauce is a meal my whole family loves. #slowcooker #crockpot #chicken #Asian #honey #garlic #stickychicken #meal #familyfavorite #recipe #easy
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Crockpot Green Chile

Crockpot Green Chile Chicken

Crockpot Green Chile Chicken is an easy dinner recipe. This chicken can be eaten alone for a low-carb meal or in tacos, quesadillas, wraps, on a salad, or rice.

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High-Protein Slow Cooker Recipes Conclusion

These recipes are a simple way to enjoy nutritious meals with less hands-on time. With a few tips, you can create flavorful, hearty, and perfect meals for your lifestyle. Try these recipes to take the stress out of mealtime while staying on track with your goals.

I hope you enjoy these high-protein slow cooker recipes. Below are a few of my latest posts.

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