Dump & Go Crockpot Chicken Meal Prep (Beginner Friendly, High Protein)
A simple slow cooker chicken recipe that delivers 40+ grams of protein per serving without sacrificing taste. Everything goes into the crockpot raw, cooks low and slow for eight hours, and produces perfectly shredded chicken with flavorful broth that stays moist all week long.
Equipment
- Crockpot
- small bowl
- two forks
- meal prep containers
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8-10 pieces)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 bay leaves
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim any excess fat or connective tissue from the chicken thighs. Mince the garlic, dice the onion, and juice your lemon.
- Step 2: Add half the diced onion to the bottom of your crockpot, then arrange the chicken thighs on top. Sprinkle the remaining onion over the top.
- Step 3: Whisk together the Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken. Add the minced garlic, bay leaves, and chicken broth. Drizzle with olive oil if desired.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for eight hours until chicken shreds easily with a fork.
- Step 5: Cool for about 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaves. Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the broth.
- Step 6: Divide the chicken and broth evenly among meal-prep containers. Cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating.
Notes
Store in refrigerator for up to five days. For extra flavor, sear chicken thighs in a skillet with olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side before adding to crockpot (optional). Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for better moisture retention. Do not skip the bay leaves. Can substitute regular chicken broth with roasted chicken broth or bone broth for flavor variation. Macros per serving: 40g protein, 280 calories, 10g fat, 2g carbohydrates. Works for grain bowls, tacos, salads, or served alone.