Hi, I am Kathy from Simply Cooked Recipes and I love a dinner that takes care of itself. This one does that. The pot hums, the kitchen smells like garlic and sweet balsamic, and I can tidy a drawer or pretend I did. Low Calorie Chicken Recipes sit on repeat here and this one feels kind to the waist and kind to a busy day. Slow Cooker Recipes and Crockpot Meals save my sanity on weeknights. I built this as one of my Low Calorie Recipes with bright veggies and tender chicken. Flat Belly Foods can still taste warm and cozy. Healthy Chicken Recipes should not feel like homework. Weight Loss Meals get better when the sauce hits the potatoes and sprouts and you swipe the spoon when no one looks. I do that. You may too.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
- 4) How to Make Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
- 5) Tips for Making Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
- 6) Making Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
- 8) Try these chicken dinners next
- 9) Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Recipe
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I am Kathy from Simply Cooked Recipes and I cook this on busy days. The pot stays low and steady and the kitchen smells rich and bright. We eat tender chicken with sweet balsamic and garlic and we feel good after dinner. Low Calorie Chicken Recipes help me stay on track and still enjoy the sauce on the plate.
Prep stays short. Veggies sit under the chicken and soak up flavor. The slow cooker does the work and our forks do the rest. I like that this meal fits family life and still tastes like a treat. It works for meal prep too and that saves my lunch many times.
The sauce brings balance. A little tart and a little sweet. It coats Brussels sprouts and potatoes and it makes the chicken shine. We keep leftovers and they reheat well. That wins the week.
2) Easy Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Recipe
We chase simple and we still want flavor. I make this when I need Low Calorie Chicken Recipes that feel warm and friendly. I say Low Calorie Chicken Recipes twice in my head as I pour the balsamic since that is my gentle guard rail. The dish tastes cozy and the steps stay short.
I use a six quart cooker and I layer veggies then chicken. I whisk a quick sauce with balsamic and mustard and broth. The steam lifts and my shoulders drop. The house smells like dinner with almost no work from me. Slow cooker chicken calls for a nap or a walk. I pick the walk and act like I planned it.
This easy crockpot balsamic chicken keeps the budget calm and the dishes light. We love it on weeknights. It plays nice with a green salad or with steamed green beans. It sits well for meal prep and packs clean in a box. A healthy dinner that still feels like a hug.
3) Ingredients for Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Boneless skinless chicken breasts I pick four pieces of even size so they cook at the same pace. The meat turns tender and pulls with a fork.
Brussels sprouts I trim the ends and split them so the leaves catch sauce. The sprouts taste sweet after a long cook.
Baby red potatoes I cut them small so they soften but keep shape. The edges soak in balsamic and get a slight gloss.
Garlic I use fresh cloves and mince them fine. The scent fills the kitchen and plays nice with the sweet acid.
Balsamic vinegar I pour a modest splash that brings tang and depth. It turns into a shiny glaze by the end.
Low sodium chicken broth I keep the sauce light and savory. The broth lifts the fond and carries flavor into the veggies.
Grainy Dijon mustard I whisk in a spoon for bite and body. Tiny seeds add texture that feels fun.
Brown sugar I add a small handful for balance. The sweetness rounds the sharp edges and helps the glaze.
Dried thyme I like the woodsy note. It keeps the sauce steady and clean.
Dried rosemary I crush it a bit so it wakes up. A little goes far and smells like a cool night.
Dried oregano I sprinkle a pinch for a green note that links the veggies and the chicken.
Crushed red pepper flakes I use a light shake for gentle heat. It stays soft and warm not fiery.
Kosher salt I season with care. The broth has some salt so I keep my hand light.
Black pepper I grind fresh so the bite stays bright. It perks up the finish.
Fresh parsley I chop a small bunch and toss it on top. The color pops and the plate looks alive.
4) How to Make Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Step one Spread the Brussels sprouts and potatoes in the cooker. Pat them dry so they roast a touch at the edges. Set the chicken on top and leave some space between pieces.
Step two Whisk the balsamic the broth the mustard the brown sugar and the dried herbs in a bowl. Taste the mix and adjust the salt and the pepper. Pour it over the chicken and veggies.
Step three Scatter the minced garlic over the top. Cover the cooker and set it on high. Let it go until the chicken pulls with a fork and the veggies turn tender.
Step four Spoon the sauce over the chicken a few times near the end to gloss the meat. Sprinkle parsley. Plate with the veggies and a big spoon of sauce. Slow cooker chicken never looked so shiny.
Step five For thicker sauce stir in a small slurry of cornstarch and water and let it bubble in the cooker for a short spell. The glaze will cling to every bite.
5) Tips for Making Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Pick even cuts so the timing stays steady. If you swap in thighs plan for a soft pull and a richer bite. I like either path since both land tender. This fits lean chicken dinners and it fits comfort seekers too.
Keep the lid closed. Each peek drops heat and adds time. I set a timer and walk away. When I return the sauce sits glossy and the veggies look ready. For more color sear the chicken in a pan before it goes in the cooker.
Season in layers. Salt the veggie bed then taste the whisked sauce then finish at the end. A light hand keeps this within low calorie chicken dishes. A squeeze of lemon at the table wakes it up if you like a bright finish.
6) Making Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Ahead of Time
I batch cook on Sunday and this dish behaves well in the fridge. I chill it fast in shallow containers so texture stays kind. The next day the sauce tastes deeper and the veggies feel silky. That makes weekday lunch far easier for us.
For meal prep place a chicken portion with sprouts and potatoes in each box. Add a spoon of extra sauce in a small cup. Reheat until hot and steam rises. The bite lands juicy again. Weeknight low calorie chicken works best when the plan stays simple.
Want a freezer stash. Shred the cooled chicken and pack flat with some sauce. Label the date and tuck it away. Thaw in the fridge and warm on the stove with a splash of broth. It tastes close to day one and saves your evening.
7) Storing Leftover Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Store leftovers in airtight containers. I keep mine for three days in the fridge. For best texture keep the sauce in a small jar and pour it over after reheating. That keeps the shine and keeps the veggies from turning soft.
For a second meal shred the chicken and toss with warm rice or quinoa. Add a fist of chopped herbs and a handful of cherry tomatoes. The sweet acid plays well with grains and fresh bits. It turns into a light chicken meal that travels well.
If you need a fast dinner warm the leftovers in a skillet and let the sauce reduce a touch. The glaze will cling and the edges will caramelize. Serve with a crisp salad and call it good. Healthy low calorie chicken dishes do not need fuss.
8) Try these chicken dinners next
9) Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Recipe
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Low Calorie Chicken Recipes
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups Brussels sprouts trimmed and halved
- 2 cups baby red potatoes halved or quartered
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 third cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 third cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons grainy Dijon mustard
- 1 quarter cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 half teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 half teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 half teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 half teaspoon black pepper
- Chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Spread the Brussels sprouts and potatoes in the slow cooker. Set the chicken on top.
- Whisk the balsamic, broth, mustard, brown sugar, thyme, rosemary, oregano, red pepper, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken and veggies. Scatter the garlic over everything.
- Cover. Cook on high until the chicken pulls apart with a fork, about 270 to 300 minutes.
- Spoon the juices over the chicken. Sprinkle parsley. Serve with the veggies and the sauce.
10) Nutrition
Serving size one plate with one breast and veggies. Calories around three hundred forty. Carbs sit near forty with fiber near five. Protein sits near thirty two and feels satisfying. Fat lands near seven with a small bit saturated. Sodium stays moderate when you use low sodium broth. These numbers shift with exact brands and potion size.
We eat this with greens for more crunch. Add sliced cucumbers or a light slaw. The plate stays bright and the meal feels fresh. That is the joy of Low Calorie Chicken Recipes since they leave room for sides and a square of dark chocolate after dinner.
Written by Kathy for Simply Cooked Recipes at https://www.simplycookedrecipes.com
Leave a Comment