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Crockpot Dinners Easy Flavor-Packed Recipes for Busy Nights

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These easy, flavor-packed crockpot dinners are perfect for busy nights, featuring tender meats, hearty veggies, and bold spices. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, you can enjoy comforting, delicious meals with hardly any effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into large chunks
  • 1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 2 carrots, sliced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Juice of 1 lime or 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Chopped cilantro or parsley, for garnish
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, tortilla chips or crusty bread

Instructions

  1. Dice onion, bell peppers, and carrots. Mince garlic. Cut chicken into large chunks. Drain and rinse black beans.
  2. Add onions, peppers, carrots, and garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker.
  3. Top with chicken pieces and black beans.
  4. Pour in diced tomatoes (with juices) and chicken broth.
  5. Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
  7. If stew is too thick halfway through, add another 1/2 cup broth. If too thin at the end, remove lid and cook on HIGH for 20-30 minutes.
  8. Stir in lime juice or apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  9. Top with chopped cilantro or parsley.
  10. Serve in bowls with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, and tortilla chips or bread.

Notes

For extra flavor, brown the chicken and sauté onions before adding to the crockpot. Layer root vegetables at the bottom and avoid overfilling the slow cooker. Finish with fresh herbs and a splash of acid for brightness. Leftovers keep well and are freezer-friendly. Adjust spice level and protein/veggie choices to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, easy dinner, chicken stew, meal prep, family dinner, healthy, comfort food, weeknight, gluten-free, dairy-free, freezer-friendly

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/crockpot-dinners-easy-flavor-packed-recipes-for-busy-nights/