15 High-Protein Crockpot Recipes for Busy Weeknights
You're looking for simple, nutritious meals on busy weeknights. High-protein crockpot recipes are a great solution. You'll find options like chicken fajitas and protein-packed chili that provide a significant boost.
With up to 50 grams of protein per serving, these recipes are ideal for a quick dinner. You're about to discover 15 of them, but which ones will become your go-to's?
Article Includes
1. Chicken Fajita Recipe
Chicken Fajita Recipe is a delicious and spicy Mexican dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup sliced onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 small flour tortillas
- Optional toppings: avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro
Instructions
- Add chicken, bell peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, and paprika to the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Warm the tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds.
- Assemble the fajitas by placing the chicken and vegetable mixture onto the tortillas and adding desired toppings.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
2. Beef Stew Delight
Hearty beef stew cooked to perfection in a crockpot.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the beef with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Add the beef, onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes to the crockpot.
- Pour in the beef broth and add rosemary.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
3. Protein Packed Chili
Hearty protein packed chili for a cold winter night.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 red bell pepper
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can black beans
- 1 cup beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the skillet and cook until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper and cook for 1 minute.
- Transfer the mixture to the crockpot.
- Add the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, and beef broth to the crockpot.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
4. Black Bean Tacos
Delicious and easy-to-make tacos filled with black beans and flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 6 tacos shells
- Optional toppings: avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro
Instructions
- Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and olive oil to the crockpot and cook on high for 30 minutes.
- Add the black beans, cumin, chili powder, and paprika to the crockpot and stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Warm the tacos shells according to package instructions.
- Assemble the tacos by spooning the black bean mixture into the shells and adding desired toppings.
5. Chicken Curry Dish
Delicious and flavorful chicken curry made easy with a crockpot.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 carrots
- 2 potatoes
Instructions
- Add chicken, onion, garlic, curry powder, coconut milk, chicken broth, salt, and pepper to the crockpot.
- Stir to combine and cook on low for 6 hours.
- Add carrots and potatoes to the crockpot and continue cooking for another 1-2 hours.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
6. Lentil Soup Recipe
Hearty lentil soup made easy in a crockpot.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried green or brown lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the crockpot and stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup to desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs if desired.
7. Turkey Meatball Dinner
Hearty turkey meatball dinner cooked to perfection in a crockpot.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, onion, and garlic. Mix well with your hands or a wooden spoon until just combined.
- Use your hands to shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place the meatballs in the crockpot.
- In a small bowl, whisk together marinara sauce and chicken broth. Pour the sauce over the meatballs in the crockpot.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the meatballs and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley or basil, if desired.
8. Chicken Tacos Recipe
Delicious and easy chicken tacos made in a crockpot.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 6 tacos shells
- Shredded cheese, lettuce, and any other desired toppings
Instructions
- Add the chicken, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic to the crockpot.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the top of the chicken and vegetables.
- Pour in the chicken broth.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and stir to combine.
- Warm the tacos shells according to package instructions.
- Assemble the tacos by spooning the chicken mixture into the shells and topping with cheese, lettuce, and any other desired toppings.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
9. Vegetable Beef Stew
Hearty Vegetable Beef Stew is a delicious and nutritious meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the beef with sal tand pepper.
- Add the beef, onion, garlic, carrots, potatoes, and bell pepper to the crockpot.
- Pour in the beef broth and sprinkle with thyme.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
10. Chicken Noodle Soup
Hearty chicken noodle soup made easy in a crockpot.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen noodles
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add chicken, chicken broth, onion, and garlic to the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, add noodles and thyme to the crockpot.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
11. Beef And Broccoli
Tender beef and broccoli in a savory sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season the beef with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a pan and brown the beef.
- Add the sliced onion to the pan and cook until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Place the beef, onion, and garlic in the crockpot.
- Add the broccoli, beef broth, and soy sauce to the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
12. Chicken And Rice Bowl
Tender chicken and fluffy rice in a flavorful bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Heat the olive oil in a pan and sear the chicken until browned.
- Add the chicken, rice, and chicken broth to the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- Serve the chicken and rice hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
13. Turkey And Bean Chili
Hearty turkey and bean chili cooked to perfection in a crockpot.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can black beans
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Brown the ground turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
- Transfer the turkey mixture to the crockpot.
- Add the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, and cumin to the crockpot.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro or scallions if desired.
14. Chicken Feta Stew
Savory Chicken Feta Stew made easy in a crockpot.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add chicken, feta cheese, chicken broth, onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the crockpot.
- Season with thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
15. Beef And Mushroom Stroganoff
Hearty beef and mushroom stroganoff cooked to perfection in a crockpot.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef strips
- 1 cup mushrooms
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 cup cooked egg noodles
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Season the beef with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Add the beef, mushrooms, onion, and garlic to the crockpot.
- In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, and thyme, then pour over the beef mixture.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Stir in sour cream and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Serve over cooked egg noodles and garnish with parsley.
Conclusion
You'll fuel up with protein-packed meals, cooking chicken and beef with ease, making hearty stews and flavorful curries, and serving up nutritious tacos and chili, all while boosting your energy and satisfying your cravings, cooking healthy meals quickly, and eating nutritious food effortlessly.