Slow Cooker Chicken Salad – It’s Low-Carb!

AMAZING Slow Cooker Chicken Salad! Use two forks to shred chicken right in the crock-pot after it slow cooks with cream cheese and tarragon. Stir in Greek yogurt, crunchy celery and almonds and dinner is DONE.

It’s the perfect make ahead recipe when entertaining a crowd or packing lunch boxes for the week.

This Slow Cooker Chicken Salad recipe is a variation of “crack” chicken! Have you seen recipes with that name on your Facebook or Pinterest feeds? The name suggest that the result is addictively delicious. (And, it usually its!)

I’m immediately intrigued and hop right over to check out the ingredients. The savory versions usually involve cream cheese and bacon. I enjoyed this take on crack chicken very much!

In fact, the inspiration for crock pot chicken salad came after I made it one night. I immediately knew that endless ingredient combinations and spices would transform the creamy chicken base into an entirely new dish. This version is even healthier by using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. It closely resembles this Tarragon Chicken Salad recipe except that it uses a crock-pot. Who knew?

The end result of the experimentation is a “salad” which will light up your world if you are feeding a crowd or prepping lunches for the week. Celery, almonds and cranberries are a bit healthier than bacon too. But, the end result is equally addictive!

Crock Pot Chicken Salad Tips

There is something insanely easy about popping uncooked chicken into a crock pot and ending up with a creamy mound of chicken salad later in the day.

Slow Cooker Chicken Salad Base

Simply season the chicken and place it in a slow cooker that’s been misted with cooking spray. Sprinkle tarragon over the chicken and place chucnks of cream cheese on top. All of the other ingredients are stirred in at the end.

This is what the chicken base will look like after it has been shredded with two forks and stirred to incorporate the cream cheese. The cream cheese firms up quickly so we added a touch of Greek yogurt to keep it creamy (and healthy.)  Sour cream would work too. But, you’ll get a protein boost from Greek yogurt.

Mix-in Ingredients for Crock Pot Chicken Salad

We stirred diced celery, almonds and dried cranberries into the base. Just about any nut would work. Chopped walnuts are my hubby’s favorite. Pecans are nice too.

If you are more of a grape type of family, then use those instead of the cranberries. If you want almost no carbs at all, then leave the dried fruit out.

Bottom line…use whatever ingredients you have in the house, including

• carrots
• cooked bacon
• onion
• apple

It’s really that easy.

Serving Ideas for Slow Cooker Chicken Salad

The fun part comes at serving time. Just scoop! Portion the shredded chicken in:

• lettuce cups (low-carb)
• bread (traditional)
• croissants (fancy)
• flour tortillas (perfect for the lunchbox!)
• crackers (appetizer)

Make this salad ahead of time. It stores very well.

No other sandwich fixings are necessary, which is exactly why it’s perfect for entertaining. Simply lay out a platter of breads, lettuces…and a scoop! Serve with a side of chips…traditional ones or choose from this list of 15 Healthy Alternatives to Potato Chips! Add a platter of fruit and you’re done!

This easy recipe means more time with family and friends, and less time in the kitchen.

Video of How to Make Crock-Pot Chicken Salad

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4.8 from 5 votes

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Slow Cooker Chicken Salad

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

4 hrs

Total Time

4 hrs 15 mins

 

This low-carb Slow Cooker Chicken Salad recipe combines a creamy base with tarragon, Greek yogurt, celery, almonds and cranberries. Perfect lunch boxes and entertaining.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 277 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 ounces Cream cheese 1/3 less fat
• 1 Tablespoon Tarragon dried
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream
• 1 cup Diced celery
• 1 cup Slivered almonds
• 1 cup Cranberries leave out for very low-carb version

Instructions

1. Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray.

2. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper and place in slow cooker.

3. Sprinkle tarragon over the top of the chicken.

4. Cut cream cheese into cubes and place on top of chicken.

5. Cover slow cooker and cook on high for about 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

6. Open slow cooker and shred chicken with two forks, mixing in melted cream cheese.

7. Remove chicken base to serving dish.

8. Stir in Greek yogurt, celery, almonds and cranberries, if using.

9. Serve in lettuce cups, on bread with crackers or in a wrap.

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Chicken Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 277 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 14g 22%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 88mg 29%

Sodium 278mg 12%

Potassium 663mg 19%

Total Carbohydrates 7g 2%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 3g

Protein 30g 60%

Vitamin A 5.8%

Vitamin C 4.7%

Calcium 10.5%

Iron 7.3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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