7 High-Protein Crockpot Meals that Are Insanely Healthy & Easy to Make

This post includes 7 high-protein crockpot meals that make it almost effortless to hit your protein goals and put dinner on the table. With these easy crockpot recipes, you can enjoy delicious warm meals all week long without sacrificing your precious free time or your nutrition goals.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we will earn a small commission if you purchase through our link at no extra cost to you.

If you’re anything like us, the last thing you want to do after a long busy day is toil away in the kitchen for hours. That’s why we’re coming to the rescue with healthy and effortless high-protein crockpot meals that make hitting your goals easy and preparing dinner even easier. 

Of course, finding time to cook nutritious meals can be difficult, especially when you’re already juggling work, family, and your personal life…plus whatever precious free time you have left. 

However, at the same time, it’s difficult to reach your health goals without prioritizing fresh home-cooked meals. Research shows that high-protein meals are essential for maintaining stable energy levels, muscle recovery, and overall health and wellness. 

Fortunately, crockpot recipes make the perfect meal prep, allowing you to cook in bulk with minimal prep.

To make things easier, we’ve rounded up the best high-protein crockpot meals for you so you can feel confident that you’re not sacrificing taste or health for yourself or your family.

Before we get into the post, we have to plug our all-time favorite slow cooker. Well, it’s really so much more than that. The Instant Pot Pro Crisp is not only a slow cooker, it’s also a pressure cooker and air fryer. So no matter what you have planned for dinner, this handy kitchen gadget has all the bases covered.

The 7 Best High-Protein Crockpot Meals

We’ve rounded up the absolute best high-protein crockpot meals so you don’t have to! With these easy crockpot recipes, you’ll be eating delicious meals all week long without stressing about hitting your protein goals.

1. White Chicken Chili
2. Slow Cooker Classic Chili
3. Butter Chicken
4. Chipotle Barbacoa Tacos or Burrito Bowl
5. Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili
6. Classic Pulled Pork
7. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Alright, let’s get into it!

---

High-Protein Crockpot Meal #1

White Chicken Chili

There are so many delicious and easy crockpot recipes with chicken, but White Chicken Chili has to be our favorite. It’s a lighter take on a traditional chili with hearty white and black beans, tender chicken, and a creamy broth. This recipe is perfect for people who don’t eat red meat or just prefer chicken to beef. Plus, it packs even more protein than its traditional counterpart because of the use of chicken breast and bone broth.

We love this recipe, originally contributed by a Reddit user because it’s been tried, tested, and approved by hundreds of others in the community. 

This recipe makes 12 servings and each serving packs in nearly 30 grams of protein.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs Chicken breast
• 1 Chopped Yellow Onion
• 2 tbsp Crushed Garlic
• 2 15oz cans of Northern Beans
• 1 15 oz can of Black Beans 
• 1 15 oz can of Sweet Corn
• 2 4 oz cans of Diced Green Chilis
• 32 oz of Chicken Bone Broth
• 2 tsp each of Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Oregano, Cayenne pepper, Chili powder, and Cilantro 
• 8 oz of Cream Cheese

---

High-Protein Crockpot Meal Prep #2

Slow Cooker Chili

When we think of delicious crockpot meals, we automatically think of chili and that’s why this incredible slow cooker chili is second on our list. The low and slow cooking process of a crockpot creates an incredibly rich and decadent flavor that only gets better over the week. It’s packed with veggies, beans, and spices making it a nutritious option that you can eat over and over without getting sick of it. 

We’re big fans of crockpot recipes using ground beef because they pack in a lot of flavor without breaking the bank. In recent years, red meat has been demonized for its link to things like heart disease and cancer, however, when eaten in moderation it’s also a great source of key nutrients like protein, vitamin B12, and zinc.

Our favorite slow cooker chili recipe comes from Natasha’s kitchen. It’s the perfect balance of meat, beans, and spices. 

This recipe makes 10 servings and each portion has 33 grams of protein.

Ingredients:

• 2 lb Lean Ground Beef, (90/10 or 93/7)
• 1 Diced Onion
• 3 Cloves of Minced Garlic
• 2 tsp Cumin Powder
• 2 tbsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 15 oz can of Black Beans
• 2 15oz cans of Kidney Beans
• 30 oz Diced Tomatoes
• 10 oz Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilis
• 30 oz Tomato Sauce

How to make it:

1. Saute the ground beef in a large skillet until cooked through and slightly browning.
2. Transfer to the crockpot and add in the remaining ingredients.
3. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
4. Season to taste before serving.

---

Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipe #3

Butter Chicken

Of all the slow cooker chicken recipes, this one might just pack the most flavor. It makes a great high-protein crockpot meal prep for the week because the flavors intensify and get more delicious the longer it waits in the fridge. 

Indian takeout is a big guilty pleasure and although we reserve the right to keep it in our rotation on occasion, this homemade crockpot recipe hits the spot just as much but with better macros, more protein, and less money. 

It requires the slightest bit more effort than some of the other recipes but it is well worth it. Consequently, there are few recipes that leave us excited to have them for the third or fourth meal in a row but this is one of them. 

This recipe makes 6 servings, each packed with 31 grams of protein.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp Butter
• 2 tbsp Avocado Oil
• 4 Diced Skinless Chicken Thighs
• 3 diced Yellow Onion
• 3 Cloves of Minced Garlic
• 1 6ox can of Tomato Paste
• 1 tbsp Curry Paste
• 2 tsp Curry Powder
• 2 tsp Tandoori Masala
• 1 tsp Garam Masala
• 15 Green Cardamom Pods
• 1 14ox can of Coconut Milk
• 1 cup Low-Fat Plain Yogurt
• Salt (to taste)

How to make it:

1. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet. Stir in the chicken, onion, and garlic and cook for 10 minutes on medium-high.
2. Stir in tomato paste, curry paste, curry powder, tandoori masala, and garam masala until no lumps of tomato paste remain.
3. Pour mixture into a slow cooker; stir in cardamom pods, coconut milk, and yogurt. Season with salt.
4. Cook on High for 4 to 6 hours (or on Low for 6 to 8 hours) until the chicken is tender and the sauce has reduced to the desired consistency. Remove and discard cardamom pods before serving.

---

High-Protein Crockpot Recipe #4

Chipotle Barbacoa Tacos or Burrito Bowl

One of the magic of crockpot recipes is that you can use all kinds of cheaper cuts of meat because the low and slow cooking process breaks them down and they become wonderfully tender and juicy. For this crockpot recipe brisket is the star and we think it’s going to make all the Chipotle fans out there very happy.

Barbacoa beef is a style of slowly cooked pull-apart beef featuring chipotle peppers and adobo. The traditional recipe involved digging a hole in the ground and slow-cooking a whole animal under agave leaves. However, you can make an equally delicious version using a slow cooker. 

Therefore, we love Gimme Some Oven’s Barbacoa Recipe because it keeps things simple while packing in the flavor. You pair it with tacos, burritos, salads, and much more! 

This recipe makes 10 servings with about 30 grams of protein in each!

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs of Brisket or Beef Chuck Roast, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 4 Cloves of Minced Garlic
• 2 Chipotles in Adobo Sauce
• 1 4oz can of Diced Green Chiles
• 1 Chopped White Onion
• 1/4 cup Fresh Lime Juice
• 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 3 Bay Leaves
• 1 tbsp Ground Cumin
• 1 tbsp Dried Oregano
• 2 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
• 1/2 cup Beef Stock

How to make it:

1. Combine all the ingredients in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
2. Using two forks, shred the beef into bite-sized pieces inside of the slow cooker. Then cover and let the beef absorb the juices for 10 minutes. Don’t forget to remove the bay leaves as well.
3. Serve!

---

High Protein Crockpot Chili Recipe #5

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

It can be hard to find high-protein vegan crockpot recipes, but this one is a total winner. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or neither, this high-protein crockpot meal is sure not to disappoint. The addition of a variety of beans along with quinoa helps to load up the protein content while also contributing fiber and micronutrients. 

Moreover, without the addition of meat, this high-protein crockpot recipe is a great budget option if you’re looking to save money on groceries. Most of the ingredients store well in the pantry so if you decide to stock up, your next healthy meal will never be more than a couple of quick prep minutes and slow cooking hours away. 

Of all the crockpot recipes chili is one of our favorites, that’s why we are including three recipes for you. We know you’re gonna love this Vegetarian Chili from Simply Quinoa.

This recipe makes 6 servings and each has about 11 grams of protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 Chopped Onion
• 1 Chopped Red Bell Pepper
• 1 Diced Jalapeno Pepper
• 2 Minced Garlic Cloves
• 2 15oz cans of Chili Beans
• 1 28oz can of Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
• 1 tbsp Chili Powder
• 1 tbsp Cumin
• 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp Coriander
• ½ tsp Chili Flakes
• ⅓ cup Quinoa
• 3 cups Vegetable Broth
• Salt to taste

How to make it:

1. Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook on high heat for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours.
2. Before you serve, remove the lid and turn back up to high for 30 minutes.
3. Season to taste and serve!

---

Easy Crockpot Dinner #6

Classic Pulled Pork

No high-protein crockpot recipe roundup would be complete without pulled pork on the list. Of all the crockpot recipes pulled pork is a classic for a reason! The set-it-and-forget-it method is great for making juicy, tender meat dishes that are absolutely packed with protein. 

In this crockpot recipe pork shoulder is the main ingredient and after being cooked down for hours, it becomes the most succulent and flavorful protein to add to all kinds of dishes including tacos, bowls, and more. 

So, no matter how busy you get, this recipe will always be there to make meal prepping a breeze without sacrificing flavor. It only takes a couple of minutes to prep so you won’t need to spend hours in the kitchen. Plus there is almost no cleanup involved! These are the kinds of high-protein crockpot meals we love!

We love the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork from Downshiftology. It has hundreds of five-star reviews so you know it’s gonna be good.

This recipe makes 8 servings and each portion has 31 grams of protein.

Ingredients:

• 4 ½ lbs Pork Shoulder
• 2 tbsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper
• ½ tsp Cumin
• 1 Chopped Onion
• 4 Cloves Minced Garlic
• Juice from an Orange

How to make it:

1. Put the onion, garlic, and orange juice into your slow cooker.
2. Coat the pork shoulder in the spice mixture and place it onto the onions in the crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours then shred the pork with two forks.
4. Enjoy!

---

High-Protein Crockpot Recipe #7

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is such a good option when looking for crockpot recipes with chicken. It’s simple to make with basic pantry ingredients and is packed with protein, veggies, and fiber. 5 minutes of prep is all you need for this high-protein crockpot meal prep. 

Additionally, if you’re someone who tends to get bored after eating the same meal multiple times, this is a great recipe for you because you can change the flavor profile based on the toppings you add. The options are endless from tortilla chips to avocado and fresh cilantro and lime. 

As a result, we love Real Food Whole Life’s recipe. It’s a surefire hit for you and your family if you’re looking for high-protein crockpot meals.

This recipe makes 6 servings each packing in 35 grams of protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lbs Chicken Breasts
• 1 Chopped Onion
• 1 15oz can of Black Beans
• 1 ½ cup of Fresh or Frozen Corn
• 1 15oz can of Diced Tomatoes
• 1 15oz can of Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes with Green Chilis
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• ½ tsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 3 Cups Chicken Broth
• Toppings:
  • Tortilla Chips
  • Lime Juice
  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Diced Avocado
  • Diced Jalapeno

How to make it:

1. Add all the ingredients except the toppings to your slow cooker and stir to combine.
2. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-7 hours until the chicken becomes soft and easy to shred.
3. When the soup is ready, shred the chicken and add it back to the slow cooker.
4. Serve and top with the toppings of your choice!

---

We hope you enjoyed this round-up of the 7 best high-protein crockpot meals! Not only are these easy crockpot recipes a great way to stay on track with your health goals, but they also save you time in the kitchen.

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or need a quick dinner for your family, these high-protein crockpot meals will certainly not disappoint!

So, don’t forget to share these recipes with friends or bookmark them for future meal inspiration!

More ideas like these high-protein crockpot meals:

• 7 Insanely Easy Healthy Sheet Pan Recipes To Save You Tons of Time
• 17 Filling High Protein Low Carb Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Ideas!
• The 7 Best Instant Pot Chicken Recipes: Quick High-Protein Meals You’ll Love

Pin for later!

Posted By: Victoria · In: nutrition