Ingredients
Slow cooker meals are the perfect solution for busy nights. With just a few ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, you can have a delicious, healthy dinner ready in no time. For this Cooking Light slow cooker dinner, you will need:
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup of salsa
- 1 cup of frozen corn
- 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
Begin by placing the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken broth, salsa, corn, black beans, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until the chicken is cooked through. Shred the chicken with two forks and stir into the mixture. Top with the shredded cheese and cilantro (if desired). Cover and cook on high for an additional 15 minutes. Serve with a side of brown rice or quinoa.
Nutrition
This Cooking Light slow cooker dinner is a great source of protein and fiber. Each serving has about 350 calories, 10 grams of fat, and 37 grams of protein. It is also a good source of calcium and iron. The carbohydrates come from the frozen corn and black beans, so it is a great source of complex carbohydrates. Additionally, it is low in sodium and saturated fat, making it a healthier option than many other slow cooker meals.
Tips for Making the Meal Healthier
To make this meal even healthier, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. This will add more flavor to the dish and will also be lower in fat and calories. You can also use low-fat cheese and reduce the amount used. Additionally, you can use brown rice instead of white rice. Brown rice is a whole grain, which is higher in fiber and contains more vitamins and minerals than white rice. You can also add some extra vegetables to the dish, such as bell peppers, onions, carrots, or zucchini.
Additional Tips for Making the Meal
For an even heartier meal, you can add some cooked ground turkey or ground beef to the mix. You can also use a combination of different beans, such as black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans. To give the dish a little kick, you can add some diced jalapenos or crushed red pepper flakes. For more flavor, you can add some diced tomatoes or salsa. Finally, you can also use some fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, to add more flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Cooking Light slow cooker meal can be served as is, or you can top it with some additional toppings. To keep it light, you can serve it with a side salad or some steamed vegetables. For a heartier meal, you can serve it with a side of brown rice, quinoa, or whole-wheat tortillas. You can also top it with some diced avocado and a dollop of sour cream. Finally, you can also add some diced jalapenos or crushed red pepper flakes for some extra heat.
Conclusion
This Cooking Light slow cooker dinner is a great way to enjoy a healthy, delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, you can have a nutritious dinner ready in no time. Try this easy slow cooker recipe tonight and enjoy a healthy, flavorful meal that the whole family will love!
