In the quest for delicious and nutritious meals, healthy crockpot recipes are a game-changer for busy families and individuals. This guide is dedicated to one of the most flavorful and simple dishes you’ll ever make: Crockpot Chicken and Sweet Potatoes. It’s a perfectly balanced meal that requires minimal effort for maximum reward.
Forget complicated steps and a sink full of dishes. With this recipe, you simply combine the ingredients, set your slow cooker, and come back hours later to a perfectly cooked, aromatic dinner. It’s the ideal solution for hectic weeknights.
Just a few simple ingredients are all you need for a delicious and healthy crockpot dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Crockpot Recipe
This isn’t just another slow cooker meal; it’s a powerhouse of nutrition and flavor designed to make your life easier. It’s packed with lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and essential vitamins.
Effortless Preparation: With just 15 minutes of prep time, it’s the definition of a “set it and forget it” meal.
Nutrient-Dense: Lean chicken breast, fiber-rich sweet potatoes, and black beans create a well-rounded dish.
Amazingly Versatile: This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a perfect base for weekly meal prep. Serve it in bowls, tacos, or salads! For more inspiration on building versatile meals, check out these Lemon Tahini Chicken and Veggie Bowls.
Family-Friendly: The savory and slightly sweet flavor profile is a guaranteed hit with both adults and children.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the use of wholesome, easy-to-find ingredients. You won’t need anything fancy to create this stunning dish.
For the Chicken and Vegetables
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: About 1.5 pounds of lean protein forms the hearty base of this dish.
Sweet Potatoes: You’ll need two large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes. They add natural sweetness and are packed with fiber.
Black Beans: One can (15 ounces), rinsed and drained, for an extra boost of protein and fiber.
Red Onion: One medium onion, chopped, adds a savory depth of flavor.
Bell Pepper: One red bell pepper, chopped, for color, crunch, and vitamin C.
For the Savory Sauce
Chicken Broth: One cup of low-sodium chicken broth provides the liquid base for cooking.
Tomato Paste: Two tablespoons add a rich, umami flavor.
Chili Powder: One tablespoon brings a mild, smoky heat.
Cumin: Two teaspoons for an earthy, warm spice.
Garlic Powder: One teaspoon for essential aromatic flavor.
Smoked Paprika: One teaspoon adds a wonderful smoky dimension.
Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
Dinner is served! Healthy, hearty, and incredibly easy to make.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making healthy crockpot recipes should be simple, and this one is no exception. Follow these easy steps for a perfect result every time.
Prepare the Crockpot: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
Layer the Ingredients: Place the diced sweet potatoes, chopped red onion, and chopped bell pepper at the bottom of the crockpot. Place the chicken breasts on top of the vegetables. Pour the rinsed and drained black beans over everything.
Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Combine and Cook: Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the crockpot. Do not stir. Place the lid on and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Shred and Serve: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts and shred them with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir everything together to combine. Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors before serving. For another easy and comforting meal, try this Slow Cooker Chicken Stew.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Crockpot Meal
Unlock the full potential of your slow cooker with these pro tips. They ensure your healthy crockpot recipes turn out perfectly every single time.
Don’t Peek: Resist the urge to lift the lid while cooking. Each peek can add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time as heat escapes.
Dice Uniformly: Cut your sweet potatoes into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
Thaw Your Chicken: For the best and safest results, always use thawed chicken breasts. Cooking frozen chicken in a crockpot can lead to uneven cooking. If you’re looking for another great slow cooker chicken option, our Slow Cooker Chicken Breast recipe is a must-try.
Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is incredibly flexible. Feel free to customize it based on your dietary needs or what you have on hand.
Add More Veggies: Corn, zucchini, or spinach can be added in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Switch the Protein: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well, or you can use turkey breast for a leaner option.
Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño with the onions for a kick of heat.
How to Store and Reheat
This dish is perfect for meal prepping. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. This makes it a great option for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
It is not recommended to put frozen chicken in a slow cooker. The crockpot heats too slowly, which can allow the chicken to stay in the ‘danger zone’ (40-140°F) for too long, risking bacterial growth. Always thaw your chicken completely before cooking.
Root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and onions hold up very well in the crockpot. Other great options include bell peppers, celery, and corn. For softer vegetables like spinach or zucchini, it’s best to add them in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
The most reliable way to check if chicken is cooked is by using a meat thermometer. It should register an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, the chicken should be opaque and shred easily with a fork.
Absolutely! To make this recipe low-carb, you can substitute the sweet potatoes and black beans with lower-carb vegetables like cauliflower florets, broccoli, or mushrooms. The cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly.
This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Once cooked, you can portion it into individual airtight containers. It will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can serve it on its own, over quinoa, or in a salad for easy lunches and dinners.
The Easiest Healthy Crockpot Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
FL Recipes
Healthy Crockpot Recipes: The Ultimate Chicken & Sweet Potato Guide
Discover the ultimate healthy crockpot recipe featuring tender chicken and hearty sweet potatoes. This easy, set-and-forget slow cooker meal is perfect for busy weeknights, packed with flavor, and great for meal prep.
2largesweet potatoespeeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
1can (15 oz)black beansrinsed and drained
1mediumred onionchopped
1red bell pepperchopped
1cuplow-sodium chicken broth
2tbsptomato paste
1tbspchili powder
2tspcumin
1tspgarlic powder
1tspsmoked paprika
Salt and black pepperto taste
Equipment
1 6-quart Crockpot or Slow Cooker
1 Cutting Board
1 Knife
Method
Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
Place the diced sweet potatoes, chopped red onion, and chopped bell pepper at the bottom of the crockpot. Place the chicken breasts on top of the vegetables. Pour the rinsed and drained black beans over everything.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the crockpot. Do not stir. Place the lid on and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts and shred them with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir everything together to combine. Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 385kcalProtein: 40gFat: 5gFiber: 11g
Notes
Tip 1: For easy cleanup, consider using a slow cooker liner. Tip 2: To add a fresh finish, stir in some fresh cilantro or lime juice just before serving. Tip 3: This meal freezes beautifully. Store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
We hope you love these healthy crockpot recipes as much as we do! This chicken and sweet potato meal is a true testament to how easy and delicious clean eating can be. If you make this dish, we’d love to see it! Share your photos and tag us on Pinterest. Your feedback helps our community of home cooks grow!
Set it and forget it with our ultimate healthy crockpot chicken and sweet potato recipe!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
