The Atkins diet, known for its low-carbohydrate approach to weight loss, doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or convenience. Slow cookers are a fantastic tool for creating delicious, compliant meals with minimal effort. This article explores a variety of slow cooker recipes perfect for those following the Atkins diet, from savory chicken and pork dishes to comforting soups and stews.
Versatile Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
This recipe yields a versatile protein that can be used in various low-carb dishes.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 036800328228, organic Red Monkey
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt USDA
- 1 teaspoon chili powder, 036800328198, organic Red Monkey
- 1 pound raw chicken breast, skinless, boneless USDA
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro FNDDS
- 1/2 cup canned original diced tomatoes, with green chilies Ro-Tel
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/3 cup tap water FNDDS
- 1 teaspoon lime juice, unsweetened USDA
Directions:
- Cover the bottom of a slow cooker evenly with canned tomatoes.
- In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, salt, cumin, and smoked paprika.
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker on top of the tomatoes and sprinkle with about half the seasoning blend. Flip each chicken breast and coat with remaining seasoning.
- Gently pour the water around the edges of the slow cooker, to cover about 2/3 of the way up the chicken breasts.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 hours, or on low for 6 hours.
- When cooked, remove the chicken to a serving bowl and shred with two forks.
- Use a slotted spoon to add tomatoes from the slow cooker to the shredded chicken.
- Mix chicken with tomatoes and lime juice. Taste and add salt if needed.
Serving Suggestions:
- As a filling for tacos in low carb tortillas.
- With cauliflower rice in a burrito bowl.
- Along with Atkins Nacho Protein Chips as an easy nacho topper.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
(Note: Nutritional information can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.)
Slow Cooker Pork Tacos
These are by far the best pork tacos we've had-and we've tried plenty. Make the mango salsa from scratch if you have time! Yum.
Nutritional Information (per 2 tacos): 282 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 678mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 26g protein.
Read also: Understanding the Atkins Diet
Slow Cooker Chicken with Capers and Basil
Capers, golden raisins and fresh basil give this dish a sweetly savory flavor. And what's better than that? The kids LOVE it.
Nutritional Information (per serving): 250 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 494mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein.
Slow Cooker Lime-Kissed Shredded Pork Tostadas
Here's a terrific recipe for your next weeknight dinner. Set out various toppings and garnishes so your family members can customize their own tostadas with the lime-kissed shredded pork.
Nutritional Information (per 1 tostada): 269 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 279mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein.
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
This chicken cacciatore recipe makes a good Sunday dinner, since the recipe is so simple to prepare. It's inexpensive besides and loaded with lots of vegetables. Much of the work for this soup can be done in advance, and it keeps all day in the slow cooker. The recipe can easily be doubled if you’re feeding a crowd. Once you’ve tried it, try mixing it up-add sage or savory with the thyme, or replace the thyme with nutmeg. For a vegan version, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
Read also: Delicious Atkins Dinners
Nutritional Information (per 1 cup): 124 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 616mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 6g fiber), 3g protein.
Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
Use up leftovers and clean out the fridge by making these super simple and tasty stuffed peppers! This is an ideal weekend meal that you can put together quickly and let cook while you run errands.
Nutritional Information (per 1 stuffed pepper): 267 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 364mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 20g protein.
Slow Cooker Beef Fajitas
When friends call to ask me for new recipes to try, I suggest these flavorful fajitas. It's wonderful to put the beef in the slow cooker before church and come home to a hot delicious main dish.
Nutritional Information (per 1 fajita): 220 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 337mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
Read also: Atkins Diet for Vegetarians
Slow Cooker Pork with Tangy Sauce
This recipe takes just minutes to assemble and is delicious. I like to serve the roast with rice, then use the tangy sauce as a gravy for both.
Nutritional Information (per 3 ounces cooked pork with about 2 tablespoons gravy): 197 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 413mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Curry Sauce
Here's a gentle curry dish that's sure to please American palates. For fun, try varying the garnish-add a few chopped peanuts or a little chutney.
Nutritional Information (per 2/3 cup): 174 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 287mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein.
Slow Cooker Steaks
This is one of my favorite recipes to make because I can flour and season the steaks and refrigerate them overnight. The next morning, I just put all the ingredients in the slow cooker, and I have a delicious dinner waiting when I arrive home from work.
Nutritional Information (per 1 serving): 171 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 409mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh with Herbs
Our kitchen is tiny, so we try to grill simple (but tasty) meals outside as often as possible during the summer months. Dried herbs work as well, but during the summer use fresh herbs for the best taste.
Nutritional Information (per 1 chicken thigh with 2 teaspoons sauce): 245 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 358mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 21g protein.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh with Curry
Having grown up in the Virgin Islands, I've eaten my fair share of authentic curried chicken. This recipe hits the mark with big, bold flavors. It's delicious served over rice.
Nutritional Information (per 1 chicken thigh with 6 tablespoons sauce): 249 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein.
Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Try this comforting stew that's easy to put together, but it tastes like you've been working hard in the kitchen all day. It's even better served over polenta, egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
Nutritional Information (per 1 cup, calculated without potatoes): 177 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 698mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
Slow Cooker Soups and Stews
Slow cookers excel at creating flavorful and hearty soups and stews. Here are a few Atkins-friendly options:
- Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup: I love to use my garden produce in this veggie-packed soup. Serve it with bread or oatmeal dinner rolls and you have a delicious, healthy dinner. 1 cup: 120 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 493mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 7g protein.
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Apple Soup: This appealing soup harvests the fall flavors of just-picked pumpkins and tart apples and is sure to warm you up on a crisp autumn day. I top the creamy puree with a sprinkling of toasted pumpkin seeds. 1 cup: 102 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
- Slow Cooker Cabbage and White Bean Soup: After doing yardwork on a windy day, we love to come in for a light but hearty soup like this one. It's brimming with cabbage, veggies and white beans. Pass the oven-warmed bread! 1 cup: 111 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 537mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 8g protein.
- Slow Cooker Potato Soup: This family favorite is the same recipe my grandmother used. Now with the magic of the slow cooker, I can spend 15 minutes putting it together, walk away for five hours, and come back to "soup's on." Finish it with more milk if you like your soup a bit thinner. 1 cup: 141 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 9g protein.
- Slow Cooker Meatless Stew: This hearty meatless stew made with convenient canned items is perfect for spicing up a family gathering on a cool day. It tastes as if it's made with love and yet it requires so little time and attention. 1 cup: 91 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 609mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein.
- Slow Cooker Chana Masala: I make chana masala, the classic Indian chickpea curry, in my slow cooker. First browning the onion, ginger and garlic really makes the sauce amazing. 1-1/4 cups chickpea mixture: 240 calories, 6g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 767mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 9g fiber), 8g protein.
- Slow Cooker Apple Cider Stew: My husband and I enjoy visiting the apple orchards in nearby Nebraska City. We always make sure to buy extra cider to use in this sensational slow-cooked stew. 1 cup: 284 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 533mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein.
- Slow Cooker Ragu: This recipe is a marvelously spicy combo that's perfect for cooler fall weather and satisfying after a day spent outdoors. 1 cup ragu: 195 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 426mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein.
- Slow Cooker Vegetarian Stew: While in college, I studied abroad. A vegetarian at the time, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious and diverse vegetarian food in Britain could be. After returning to the States, I re-created my favorite meal from my favorite restaurant and named it after the University of Manchester. When the enticing aroma fills the kitchen, I'm back in England! 1-2/3 cups: 221 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 354mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 8g fiber), 8g protein.
Slow Cooker Country Captain Chicken
Legend has it that the recipe for country captain chicken was brought to Georgia in the early 1800s by a British sea captain. Although it's traditional to serve this over rice, it's also delicious with noodles or mashed potatoes.
Nutritional Information (per 1 cup): 298 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 159mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein.
Slow Cooker Cream Soup
I love indulgent cream soups but not the fat that goes along with them. In this healthier version, the soup's velvety texture makes it feel rich and the spicy kick warms you up in a flash.
Nutritional Information (per 1 cup): 80 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 434mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
Slow Cooker Chicken Lettuce Cups
The slow cooker is our summertime go-to for cool kitchen cooking. After swim lessons and outdoor activities, it's so nice to come back to a tasty, light dinner. If you can't find Bibb or Boston, green leaf lettuce is less sturdy but can work in a pinch.
Nutritional Information (per 3 lettuce cups): 271 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 642mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein.
Slow Cooker Chicken with Rice
I love being able to fix a fancy gourmet dish in such a short amount of time and still have it turn out so delicious. To reduce fat, use chicken tenderloin pieces or skinless chicken breasts. This recipe is really fabulous served with rice.
Nutritional Information (per 1 serving): 255 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 648mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein.
Important Considerations for the Atkins Diet
- Consult your physician: As with any weight loss program, consult your physician or health care provider before beginning the Atkins Diet.
- Individual results may vary: Weight loss is influenced by exercise, lifestyle, dietary pattern, and calories consumed.
- Not for dialysis patients: The weight loss phases of the Atkins Diet should not be used by persons on dialysis.