Slow Cooker Recipes Under 300 Calories With Low Carb And High Protein
Slow Cooker Recipes Under 300 Calories With Low Carb And High Protein
A slow cooker lets you make a healthy dinner with little hands-on time. That helps after a hectic routine when you don't want to cook.
The ideas below are built around lean protein and non-starchy vegetables. Calories depend on your exact recipe and portion, so check them with your own ingredients.
Recipes which is a slow cooker recipe with under 300 calories.
The easiest way to keep a slow cooker meal high in protein and low in carbs is to start with skinless chicken breast, turkey, lean beef or pork loin. Add plenty of non-starchy vegetables and go easy on cheese, cream and sugary sauces.
Lime chili chicken with cauliflower rice. Cook chicken breasts with lime juice, garlic, chili and broth, then shred and serve over cauliflower rice instead of white rice.
Buffalo chicken. Cook chicken in hot wing sauce, then shred it. Serve in lettuce cups with a small amount of blue cheese to keep the calories down.
Chicken fajita stew. Chicken, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and fajita spices make a low carb meal that is rich in high proteins with vegetables. Skip the tortillas or use one small one.
Beef stew. Use a lean cut of beef with carrots, celery, onions and mushrooms. Leave out potatoes to keep it low carb, and use low-sodium broth.
Salsa chicken. Chicken cooked in jarred salsa takes almost no prep. A little pineapple adds sweetness but also adds carbs.
White chicken chili. Chicken, green chiles, broth and spices make a filling chili. Beans add protein and fiber but also carbs, so keep the portion modest if you are counting carbs.
Tomato basil chicken. Chicken with crushed tomatoes, garlic and herbs is naturally gluten free and low in fat.
Coconut basil chicken. Light coconut milk, curry paste and basil give chicken plenty of flavor. Full-fat coconut milk adds a lot of calories, so measure it.
Chicken tortilla soup. Chicken, tomatoes, peppers and broth make a light soup. Top it with avocado or a few crushed tortilla chips instead of a big handful.
Honey garlic chicken wings. Wings are high in protein but also in fat, and honey adds sugar. Use a light glaze and eat a measured portion.
Recipes that are not low carb
Some slow cooker favorites are healthy but not low carb. Bean soups, black-eyed peas, sweet potatoes, potato soup, butternut squash soup and oatmeal all have a lot of carbohydrates.
They can still fit into a balanced diet. Just don't count them as low carb.
High protein low carb foods that work well in the slow cooker include poultry, meat, fish, eggs, soy and non-starchy vegetables.
Dessert
Slow cooker brownies, French toast and fruit spreads are treats, not low carb meals. If you want dessert, look for a lighter recipe under 300 calories and keep the portion small.
Slow cooker safety tips
Cooking low and slow is safe when you follow a few rules. Use a food thermometer, because color and texture can't tell you if meat is done.
The CDC says to cook all poultry to 165°F, ground meats to 160°F, and whole cuts of beef and pork to 145°F with a 3-minute rest. Reheat leftovers to 165°F.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Chicken needs hours, not minutes, to cook through on the low setting, so plan ahead.
Sources
- 14 low carb, high protein foods to include in a diet, Medical News Today
- Preventing Food Poisoning, CDC
