Slow cooker meals

Enjoying meals that benefit your heart can be simple and convenient. By using a slow cooker, you can easily prepare dishes that are both nutritious and delicious. Choose ingredients rich in nutrients — lean meats, whole grains, vegetables and ingredients like nonfat Greek yogurt. By making wholesome meals and cutting down on processed foods, you're taking steps to protect your heart health.

These recipes are ideal for hectic days when you want a heart-friendly meal that's both easy to make and gratifying.

Southwest slow cooker chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional and variable depending on how spicy you like your chicken!)
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins (all visible fat discarded)
• 14.5 oz canned, no-salt-added, diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 1-3 oz canned green chiles
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions:

• In a small bowl, stir together chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano and cayenne pepper (optional).
• Place chicken in slow cooker and sprinkle half of seasoning mixture over chicken. Flip with a fork and sprinkle other half of seasoning mixture over chicken.
• Pour tomatoes, chilies and chicken broth over the chicken in the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook over low setting for 8-10 hours, or over high setting for 3-4 hours. Chicken make break apart easily with fork once cooked. Makes 6 servings.

Recipe adapted from heart.org.

Slow cooker creamy tomato Indian chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 28-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
• 2 tbs garam masala
• 2 tbs mild curry powder
• 2 tsp minced peeled gingerroot
• 2 medium garlic cloves, minced or 1 tsp bottled minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper
• 3 tbs water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1 tbs cornstarch, divided use
• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 ounces each), all visible fat discarded
• 1 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbs coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions:

• Put the tomatoes, garam masala, curry powder, gingerroot, garlic, salt and pepper in a slow cooker, stirring to combine.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the water and 2 tbs cornstarch, whisking until the cornstarch is dissolved. Stir into the tomato mixture.
• Put the chicken in the slow cooker, pushing it down halfway into the tomato mixture.
• Cover for four hours on high, eight hours on low or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center.
• Once the chicken is cooked, in a small bowl, stir together the yogurt and remaining 1 tbs cornstarch until well blended. Stir into the chicken mixture.
• Transfer the chicken and sauce to shallow bowls or plates. Sprinkle with the cilantro. Makes 6 servings.

Recipe adapted from heart.org.

Next steps:

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