As someone who rarely cooks is it weird that I am ridiculously proud of myself for digging out my slow cooker this week?

I have been thinking about investing in a 3 in 1 cooker, but since I rarely use my old-fashioned slow cooker I though I had better give it a whirl.

I raised my pantry and used a can of black beans, two cans of Rotel tomatoes, one brick of Greek yogurt cream cheese, a few shakes of Mexican seasoning, and two frozen chicken thighs.

I made it on Monday and will probably still be eating it this Friday.

I still have chicken thighs. What EASY recipe should I try next?

chicken and Rice Casserole

Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice

Savory Slow-Cooker Chicken

Chicken and Vegetables

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Chicken Cordon Bleu

BBQ Chicken

Chicken Stew with Dumplings

Chicken and Stuffing

Those ones sound DELICIOUS although I'm sure all of them are! I'll check out that website too! Thank you!!!

Dad's spicy chicken curry! I'm craving spicy like you wouldn't believe.

DAD'S SPICY CHICKEN CURRY

Makes 8 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 6-8 hours

Ideal Slow Cooker Size: 4 or 5 quart

INGREDIENTS

4lbs chicken pieces with bones, trimmed of skin and fat

Water

2 medium onions, diced 10-oz. pkg

frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 cup plain low-fat yogurt

2-3 diced red potatoes

1 tsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp ground cardamom

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp chili powder

3 tsp turmeric

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place chicken in large slow cooker. Cover with water

2. Cover. Cook on high 2 hours or until tender.

3. Drain chicken. Remove from slow cooker. Cool briefly and cut/shred into small pieces. Return to slow cooker.

4. Add remaining ingredients

5. Cover. Cook on low 4-6 hours or until potatoes are tender.

Note: Serve on rice. Accompany with fresh mango slices or mango chutney.

Variation: Substitute 5 tsp curry powder for the garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, and pepper.

Exchange List Values

Carbohydrate 1.0

meat, lean 3.0

Basic Nutritional Values

Calories - 221

Cholesterol - 67mg

Calories from fat - 56

Sodium - 402mg

Total fat - 6g

Total carbs - 16g

Saturated fat - 1.8g

Dietary Fiber - 3g

Polyunsaturated fat - 1.4g

Sugars - 4g

Monounsaturated fat - 2.1g

Protein - 25g

Edited September 27, 201510 yr by Radar

chicken and Rice Casserole

Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice

Savory Slow-Cooker Chicken

Chicken and Vegetables

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Chicken Cordon Bleu

BBQ Chicken

Chicken Stew with Dumplings

Chicken and Stuffing

Those ones sound DELICIOUS although I'm sure all of them are! I'll check out that website too! Thank you!!!

It will take me a long time to type all of these up, so let me start with one and I'll add another when I get a chance until they are all there. Let's star with Lemon Garlic Chicken.

LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN

Makes 6 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 2½ - 5½ hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4 quart

INGREDIENTS

1 tsp dried oregano

½ tsp seasoned salt

¼ tsp pepper

6 (5oz each) chicken=breast halves, skinned and rinsed

2 tsp, canola oil

¼ cup Water

3 tbsp lemon juice

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp chicken bouillon granules

1 tbsp minced fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine oregano, salt, and pepper. Rub all of the mixture into the chicken. Brown the chicken in canola oil in a skillet. Transfer to the slow cooker.

2. Place water, lemon juice, garlic, and bouillon cubes in the skillet. Bring to a boil, loosening browned bits from the skillet. Pour over chicken.

3. Cover. Cook on high 2 - 2½ hours, or low 4-5 hours

4. Add parsley and baste chicken. Cover. Cook on high 15-30 minutes, until chicken is tender.

Exchange List Values

meat, very lean - 4.0

Fat - 1.5

Basic Nutritional Values

Calories - 210

Calories from fat - 71

Total Fat - 8g

Saturated Fat - 1.2g

Polyunsaturated Fat - 2.1g

Monounsaturated Fat - 3.8g

Cholesterol - 84mg

Sodium - 283mg

Total Carbohydrates - 1g

Dietary fiber - 0g

Sugars - 1g

Protein - 32g

Edited September 27, 201510 yr by Radar

chicken and Rice Casserole

Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice

Savory Slow-Cooker Chicken

Chicken and Vegetables

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Chicken Cordon Bleu

BBQ Chicken

Chicken Stew with Dumplings

Chicken and Stuffing

Those ones sound DELICIOUS although I'm sure all of them are! I'll check out that website too! Thank you!!!

It will take me a long time to type all of these up, so let me start with one and I'll add another when I get a chance until they are all there. Let's star with Lemon Garlic Chicken.

LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN

Makes 6 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 2 1/2 - 5 1/2 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4 quart

INGREDIENTS

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp seasoned salt

1/4 tsp pepper

6 (5oz each) chicken=breast halves, skinned and rinsed

2 tsp, canola oil

1/4 cup Water

3 tbsp lemon juice

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp chicken bouillon granules

1 tbsp minced fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine oregano, salt, and pepper. Rub all of the mixture into the chicken. Brown the chicken in canola oil in a skillet. Transfer to the slow cooker.

2. Place water, lemon juice, garlic, and bouillon cubes in the skillet. Bring to a boil, loosening browned bits from the skillet. Pour over chicken.

3. Cover. Cook on high 2 - 2 1/2 hours, or low 4-5 hours

4. Add parsley and baste chicken. Cover. Cook on high 15-30 minutes, until chicken is tender.

Exchange List Values

meat, very lean - 4.0

Fat - 1.5

Basic Nutritional Values

Calories - 210

Calories from fat - 71g

Total Fat - 8g

Saturated Fat - 1.2g

Polyunsaturated Fat - 2.1g

Monounsaturated Fat - 3.8g

Cholesterol - 84mg

Sodium - 283mg

Total Carbohydrates - 1g

Dietary fiber - 0g

Sugars - 1g

Protein - 32g

There's absolutely no rush!! I appreciate you so much!!! Thank you!!! I actually have all of these ingredients now, so tomorrow, this is what I'll make!! I'm so excited to put my slow cooker to work!!!

Thanks again, and really, there's no rush. Even just add one a week and we can keep this thread going with ideas for everyone!!

I love chicken and stuffing it's so easy my husband can do it.

chicken CORDON BLEU

Makes 6 servings

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cooking Time: 4 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4 quarts

INGREDIENTS

3 - (1 ½ lb) whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts

6 - (½ oz. per slice) pieces of thinly sliced ham

6 - (½ oz per slice) thin slices of reduced-fat Swiss cheese

6 - slices bacon, fried, drained, and patted dry

¼ cup Water

1 tsp salt-free chicken bouillon powder

½ cup white cooking wine

1 tsp cornstarch

¼ cup cold water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Flatten chicken to ½ - ¼ inch thickness with a tenderizing mallet. Place a slice of ham and a slice of cheese on top of each flattened breast. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roll up and wrap with a strip of bacon. Secure with a toothpick. Place in the cooker.

2. Combine ¼ cup of water, granules, and wine. Pour into slow cooker

3. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.

4. Combine cornstarch and ¼ cup of cold water. Add to slow cooker. Cook until sauce thickens.

Exchange List Values

meat, very lean 5.0

Fat 1.0

Basic Nutritional Values

Calories - 231

Calories from fat - 77

Total Fat - 9g

Saturated Fat - 3.1g

Polyunsaturated Fat - 1.1g

Monounsaturated Fat - 3.3g

Cholesterol - 86mg

Sodium - 424mg

Total Carbohydrates - 1g

Dietary Fiber - 0g

Sugars - 0g

Protein - 35g

TEX-MEX chicken AND RICE

Makes 8 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 4 - 4½ hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4 or 5 quarts

INGREDIENTS

1 - cup converted uncooked white rice

1 - 28oz can diced and peeled tomatoes

1 - 6oz can of tomato paste

3 - cups hot Water

1 - pkg dry taco seasoning mix

4 - whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts, uncooked and cut into ½ inch cubes

2 - medium onions, chopped

1 - green pepper, chopped (The recipe doesn't say what type of pepper. I assume it is a green bell pepper or possibly a roasted poblano pepper for the Tex-Mex flavor)

1 - 4oz can of diced green chiles (jalapenos)

1 - tsp garlic powder

½ tsp pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients except chiles and seasonings in large slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on low for 4 - 4½ hours, or until rice is tender and chicken is cooked.

3. Stir in green chiles and seasonings and serve.

Exchange List Values

Starch - 1.5

meat, very lean - 3.0

Vegetables - 3.0

Basic Nutritional Values

Calories - 300

Calories from Fat - 32

Total Fat - 4g

Saturated Fat - 0.8g

Polyunsaturated Fat - 0.8g

Monounsaturated Fat - 0.9g

Cholesterol - 64mg

Sodium - 366mg

Total Carbohydrates - 24g

Dietary Fiber - 5g

Sugars - 4g

Protein - 33g

SAVORY SLOW-COOKER chicken

Makes 4 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 8 - 10 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4 or 5 quarts

INGREDIENTS

2½ lbs chicken pieces, skinned

1 lb fresh tomatoes, chopped, or 15oz can of stewed tomatoes

2 tbsp white wine

1 bay leaf

¼ tsp salt

2 cups broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients except broccoli in slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on low 8 - 10 hours.

3. Add broccoli 30 minutes before serving.

Exchange List Values

Vegetables - 2.0

meat, lean - 3.0

Basic Nutritional Values

Calories - 230

Calories from Fat - 67

Total Fat - 7g

Saturated Fat - 1.9g

Polyunsaturated Fat - 1.8g

Monounsaturated Fat - 2.5g

Cholesterol - 82mg

Sodium - 427mg

Total Carbohydrates - 11g

Dietary Fiber - 3g

Sugars - 7g

Protein 30g

chicken AND VEGETABLES

Makes 6 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 3½ - 8½ hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4 or 5 quart

INGREDIENTS

3 lb chicken, cut up, skin and visible fat removed

salt to taste

pepper to taste

1 bay leaf

2 tsp lemon juice

¼ cup diced onions

¼ cup diced celery

1 lb frozen mixed vegetables including corn

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken and place chicken in slow cooker. Add bay leaf and lemon juice.

2. Cover. Cook on low 6 - 8 hours, or high 3 - 5 hours. Remove chicken from bones, reserve liquid, skimming fat.

3. Cook ½ cup liquid, celery and onions in microwave on high for 2 minutes. Add frozen vegetables and microwave until cooked through.

4. Return all ingredients into slow cooker and cook on high for 30 minutes.

5. Serve over cooked rice.

Exchange List Values

Vegetables - 2.0

meat, lean - 3.0

Basic Nutritional Values

Calories - 187

Calories from Fat - 49

Total Fat - 5g

Saturated Fat - 1.4g

Polyunsaturated Fat- 1.3g

Monounsaturated Fat - 1.9g

Cholesterol - 64mg

Sodium - 105mg

Total Carbohydrates - 11g

Dietary Fiber - 2g

Sugars - 3g

Protein 24g

Check this one out!!! Mongolian Beef from a slow cooker!!!

http://therecipecritic.com/2015/08/slow-cooker-mongolian-beef

Check this one out!!! Mongolian Beef from a slow cooker!!!

http://therecipecritic.com/2015/08/slow-cooker-mongolian-beef

Holy BEEF!!! that sounds SO good!!! Super easy too! I'm all about easy prep! All of these recipes look amazing and I can't wait to try them!! You should start a Facebook page full of recipes or even your very own lil healthy cook book!!

chicken AND STUFFING

Makes 16 servings

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cooking Time: 4½ - 5 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 6 quarts

INGREDIENTS

2½ tsp salt-free chicken bouillon powder

2½ cups Water

¼ cup canola oil

½ cup chopped onions

½ cup chopped celery

4oz can mushrooms, stems and pieces drained

¼ cup dried parsley flakes

1½ tsp rubbed sage

1 tsp poultry seasoning

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

12 cups day-old bread cubes (½-inch pieces)

2 eggs

10¾ oz can 98% fat-free reduced-sodium cream of chicken Soup

5 cups cubed cooked chicken

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients except bread, eggs, soup, and chicken in saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes.

2. Place bread cubes in large bowl.

3. Combine eggs and soup. Stir into broth mixture until smooth. Pour over bread and toss well.

4. Layer half of stuffing and then half of chicken into very large slow cooker (or two medium-sized cookers). Repeat layers.

5. Cover. Cook on low 4½ - 5 hours

Exchange List Values

Starch - 1.0

Fat - 0.5

meat, lean - 2.0

Basic Nutritional Values

Calories - 215

Calories from Fat - 78

Total Fat - 9g

Saturated Fat - 1.6g

Polyunsaturated Fat - 2.5g

Monounsaturated Fat - 3.7g

Cholesterol - 67mg

Sodium - 362mg

Total Carbohydrates - 16g

Dietary Fiber - 1g

Sugars - 2g

Protein - 16g

chicken AND STUFFING

Makes 16 servings

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cooking Time: 4½ - 5 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 6 quarts

INGREDIENTS

2½ tsp salt-free chicken bouillon powder

2½ cups Water

¼ cup canola oil

½ cup chopped onions

½ cup chopped celery

4oz can mushrooms, stems and pieces drained

¼ cup dried parsley flakes

1½ tsp rubbed sage

1 tsp poultry seasoning

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

12 cups day-old bread cubes (½-inch pieces)

2 eggs

10¾ oz can 98% fat-free reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup

5 cups cubed cooked chicken

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients except bread, eggs, soup, and chicken in saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes.

2. Place bread cubes in large bowl.

3. Combine eggs and soup. Stir into broth mixture until smooth. Pour over bread and toss well.

4. Layer half of stuffing and then half of chicken into very large slow cooker (or two medium-sized cookers). Repeat layers.

5. Cover. Cook on low 4½ - 5 hours

Exchange List Values

Starch - 1.0

Fat - 0.5

meat, lean - 2.0

Basic Nutritional Values

Calories - 215

Calories from Fat - 78

Total Fat - 9g

Saturated Fat - 1.6g

Polyunsaturated Fat - 2.5g

Monounsaturated Fat - 3.7g

Cholesterol - 67mg

Sodium - 362mg

Total Carbohydrates - 16g

Dietary Fiber - 1g

Sugars - 2g

Protein - 16g

Sorry, I'm VERY new at cooking...what are day old bread cubes??

Check this one out!!! Mongolian Beef from a slow cooker!!!

http://therecipecritic.com/2015/08/slow-cooker-mongolian-beef

Holy BEEF!!! that sounds SO good!!! Super easy too! I'm all about easy prep! All of these recipes look amazing and I can't wait to try them!! You should start a Facebook page full of recipes or even your very own lil healthy cook book!!

These aren't my recipes. I am posting recipes from a diabetic slow cooker cook book. High Protein and low carbs just like what post-op sleevers like us need. I just love the idea of spending a few minutes to setup a meal and coming home to a hot meal ready to go. Walking into my apartment with delicious smells coming from everywhere and I just serve it up.

I found a page that shows you how to spend one weekend a month prepping 40 slow-cooker meals so you always have food ready and each meal is super cheap. You save money and time, and you are planning ahead so you don't get stuck without something healthy to eat. 40 meals is enough for a full month including lunches and dinners. When you need one, you just take out the gallon frozen bag, empty it into the slow cooker and turn it on. Then PRESTO! You have a hot and ready meal when you get home.

Sorry, I'm VERY new at cooking...what are day old bread cubes??

It's day old bread cut into ½ inch squares.

Edited September 27, 201510 yr by Radar