4 High Protein Slow Cooker Recipes
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While I have been cooking for quite some time now, I only recently got into the slow cooker scene. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite ways to meal prep lunch through the week or make an easy high protein meal for dinner. Here I’ve rounded up my 4 high protein slow cooker recipes that are easy, dump-and-go and run from 300 to 560 calories and 33 to 57 grams of protein per serving. Be sure to check back here in the future as I’ll be adding more recipes in the future. If you have any requests, please let me know and I’ll be sure to prioritize it.
What Went Into This List
- Every recipe hits at least 33 grams of protein per serving, and the list is ordered from the highest protein per serving (57 grams) down to the lowest (33 grams).
- Each one is a true dump-and-go recipe where you add all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook while you’re free to do other activities.
- They are complete meals on their own, although you can certaintly pair them with other options as well. Each recipe gives you the protein, the carbs, and the flavor in one serving.
- All the ingredients come from a regular grocery store run. There aren’t any specialty meat cuts or exotic hard-to-find spices with these recipes.
Who Will Get the Most Out of This
- Weeknight cooks who want dinner ready the moment they walk in and don’t have to worry about cooking after a long day at work or school.
- People with a high protein target to hit at dinner. At 33 to 57 grams per serving, these clear a standard 30 gram checkpoint without any extra work.
- Sunday meal preppers who want one cook session to cover multiple lunches. The soup and BBQ chicken both store and reheat well.
- Anyone who wants to use a slow cooker and is looking for high protein healthy slow cooker recipes.
The Lineup
1. Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Rice
560 calories · 57g protein
This slow cooker creamy chicken and rice recipe is the kind of high protein comfort meal you can throw together in the morning and forget about until lunch time. The chicken cooks right in the pot with mushrooms and brown rice, then you stir in a parmesan Greek yogurt sauce that comes out smooth and rich with 57 grams of protein per bowl.
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2. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
430 calories · 48g protein
This slow cooker buffalo chicken sandwich packs 48 grams of protein into one sandwich that tastes like classic bar food done right. The secret is blending low-fat cottage cheese with buffalo sauce and ranch seasoning into a creamy coating that clings to every shred of chicken.
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3. Slow Cooker Chicken & Lentil Soup
300 calories · 36g protein
This Slow Cooker Chicken & Lentil Soup is a complete, high-protein meal that delivers 36 grams of protein per serving while keeping fat at just 4 grams. Dump everything into your slow cooker before you leave for work and come home to a thick, satisfying soup that supports muscle building and keeps you full through the busiest evenings.
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4. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
380 calories · 33g protein
This slow cooker BBQ chicken and sweet potatoes recipe is the ideal high protein meal prep dish for busy weeks when you want something that tastes like takeout but actually supports your goals. The chicken shreds right in the pot, soaks up every bit of that smoky BBQ sauce, and comes out with 33 grams of protein per serving.
Get the RecipeQuick Comparison
| Recipe | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Rice | 560 | 57g |
| Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches | 430 | 48g |
| Slow Cooker Chicken & Lentil Soup | 300 | 36g |
| Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken & Sweet Potatoes | 380 | 33g |
Things Worth Knowing
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Pick by Your Goal
If you want the most protein in one sitting, the creamy chicken and rice wins at 57 grams per bowl. If you want the fewest calories with a full serving of protein, the chicken and lentil soup is the pick at 300 calories and 36 grams.
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Shred While It Is Hot
The sandwich and BBQ chicken recipes both fall apart as they cook. Shred the chicken in the pot while it is still hot and the strands stay tender and juicy.
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Store in Portions
Divide leftovers into single-serving containers straight out of the pot. You grab one for lunch the next day and never have to think about portioning or overeating.
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Reheat With a Splash of Liquid
The soup and the creamy chicken and rice both thicken up in the fridge. Add a few tablespoons of water or broth when you reheat them and they go right back to the consistency you cooked.
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Scale the Protein
If you are bulking and need more than the listed amount, most of these scale by adding an extra pound of chicken breast to the pot. The cook time stays the same.
FAQs
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Which high protein slow cooker recipe on this list has the most protein?
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Rice, with 57 grams of protein per bowl. The parmesan Greek yogurt sauce adds a solid chunk of that on top of the chicken.
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What is the lowest calorie slow cooker meal that is still high in protein?
Slow Cooker Chicken & Lentil Soup, at 300 calories and 36 grams of protein per serving with just 4 grams of fat.
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Can I meal prep these slow cooker recipes for the week?
Yes. The chicken and lentil soup and the BBQ chicken and sweet potatoes are the best keepers, and both taste better the next day. The creamy chicken and rice and the sandwiches are best eaten within a few days of cooking.
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Do high protein slow cooker dinners require any babysitting?
Not with these. Every recipe on this list is a dump-and-go. You prep the ingredients in the morning, and the only hands-on step left is stirring or shredding when the timer goes off.
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Which of these slow cooker recipes is best for losing fat?
The chicken and lentil soup. It is the only sub-400 calorie option here, and the lentils add fiber that keeps you full between meals.
Equipment You’ll Use Across These Recipes
- Slow cooker
- Food storage containers
- Large mixing bowl
- Sharp knife and cutting board
