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10 high-protein slow cooker dinners recipe - 10 High-Protein Slow Cooker Dinners served in a white bowl overhead view
Chloe

10 High-Protein Slow Cooker Dinners

10 high-protein slow cooker dinners recipe made easy at home. A collection of 10 hearty, protein-packed dinners that cook themselves in your slow cooker, deli
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Proteins & Beans
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs trimmed
  • 1.5 lbs lean ground beef 90/10
  • 2 (15 oz) cans black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans drained and rinsed
Vegetables & Aromatics
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (15 oz) can corn kernels drained
  • 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies undrained
  • 1 cup diced carrots fresh or frozen
Seasonings & Liquids
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning or 1 packet
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
For Serving
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 lime cut into wedges
  • 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt optional

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
  2. To your 6-quart or larger slow cooker, add the raw chicken thighs, browned ground beef, drained beans, diced onion, garlic, corn, diced tomatoes with chilies, and carrots.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, tomato paste, taco seasoning, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fall-apart tender and the flavors have melded.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, use two forks to shred the chicken thighs directly in the slow cooker. Stir everything together gently. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
  6. Ladle the hearty stew into bowls. Top each serving with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese and a vibrant mix of chopped fresh cilantro and parsley. Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing and optional sour cream or Greek yogurt.