15 High-Protein Slow Cooker Recipes

updated Dec 8, 2021

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ragù

The slow cooker is the workhorse of the kitchen and it makes for a great way to cook seriously satisfying meals — the kind of protein-rich meals that fill you up and give you energy to make it through the work week.

This set-it-and-forget-it cooking method is uniquely well-suited to breaking down large cuts of meat like brisket and pork shoulder that need to cook low and slow, without requiring any babysitting. It’s also great at cooking beans, lentils, and chicken, too. With very little effort you can churn out the kind of meals you’re craving, all packed with protein. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite high-protein slow cooker recipes to show off how useful this kitchen miracle worker really is.

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Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken

Here, homemade pesto is mixed with hearty chunks of chicken in the slow cooker. Enjoy the meat in salads, wraps, and grain bowls all week long.

2 / 15

Slow Cooker Lentil and Mushroom Bolognese

In this "meaty" vegetarian alternative to classic bolognese, baby bella mushrooms and protein-packed green lentils stand in for ground beef.

3 / 15

Slow Cooker Lemon-Garlic Chicken Breast

With a handful of ingredients you are treated to tender chicken gilded with a velvety lemon sauce infused with a richness reminiscent of roasted garlic.

4 / 15

Slow Cooker Maple-Mustard Pulled Pork

Transform everyday pulled pork with your slow cooker and the sweet and tangy flavors of maple syrup and mustard.

5 / 15

Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

This 5-ingredient, shortcut slow cooker recipe is going to completely change how you think about pot roast.

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Slow Cooker Charro Beans

Pinto beans, bacon, and sausage combine to make Charro beans (also known as "cowboy beans), a popular dish in Texas.

7 / 15

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

A warm bowl of chicken enchilada soup, made in the slow cooker, tastes like you're eating an enchilada with a spoon.

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Sweet & Tangy Slow Cooker Brisket

Meaty brisket is simmered in the slow cooker with a sweet and tangy tomatoey sauced laced with tender onions and just the right amount of spices.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata

This slow cooker chicken piccata is cooked on a bed of tender red potatoes, then gilded with a buttery lemon sauce with a punch of briny capers.

10 / 15

Slow Cooker Black Bean Chili

One bite into this ultra-hearty slow cooker chili and you just might question if it's really vegan after all.

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Whole Chicken in the Slow Cooker

This recipe delivers the most delicious payoff imaginable — meat so tender and juicy it practically falls right off the bone.

12 / 15

Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ragù

Slow-cooked savory chicken thighs in a tomato- and bacon-rich sauce paired with sweet and earthy fennel. A bed of buttery mashed potatoes is just right for cradling this homestyle chicken ragù.

13 / 15

Slow Cooker Coconut Lentil Curry

This slow cooker coconut lentil curry is seasoned with garam masala & turmeric, laced with tomatoes, & finished with coconut milk for a touch of richness.

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Slow Cooker Vegetarian Mapo Tofu

Typically made with ground pork, this plant-based version swaps in shiitake mushrooms for a lighter dinner option with just as much umami flavor.

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Slow Cooker Beer-Braised Brisket

This beer-braised brisket is as fork-tender as can be and requires no babysitting.

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