When the sun is blazing and the outdoors is calling, my crockpot becomes my best friend.  These summer crockpot meals under 500 calories are the perfect solution.

That’s why I have gathered 23 easy summer crockpot meals to take the stress out of summer cooking. And, they’re also under 500 calories, so you can maintain your healthy lifestyle while still eating interesting and delicious meals.

Crockpots are amazing – just toss in the ingredients, press a button, and let the magic happen! Dinner is sorted while you relax with friends and family and soak up the sun.

1. Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Source: allnutritious.com

You may ask – why am I starting with tacos when they take so much time to make? Well, these don’t!

This fun recipe offers all the great takeout taco flavors in a healthy form, and your crockpot does all the work.

Scoop the delicious chicken mix into tortillas and top with pico de gallo, guacamole, shredded cheese, or pickled onions.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 201
• Fats: 9.4g
• Protein: 21g
• Carbs: 15.5g
• Fiber: 10.7g
• Sugar: 2.6g

2. Crockpot Mississippi Chicken

Source: allnutritious.com

Are you second-guessing inviting guests over, ‘cause you now have to spend hours in the kitchen?

My crockpot Mississippi chicken will come to the rescue. It can be prepped in 10 minutes and is always a crowd-pleaser.

Think –  tender chicken infused with ranch seasoning, savory gravy, and tangy pepperoncini! It’s a delicious combination that keeps taste buds happy – and it’s under 500 calories.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 349
• Fats: 19g
• Protein: 35g
• Carbs: 6.7g
• Fiber: 0.4g
• Sugar: 2.7g

3. Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken

Source: allnutritious.com

Creamy chicken may sound high in calories, but this delicious recipe is under 500, and it’s not boring!

The chicken is creamy, cheesy, rich and velvety, infused with Italian herbs and garlic for a subtle tanginess.

Best of all, it uses simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry, so no rushing off to the store at the last minute.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 407
• Fats: 22g
• Protein: 38g
• Carbs: 12g
• Fiber: 1.7g
• Sugar: 2g

4. Crockpot Pesto Chicken

Source: allnutritious.com

Who knew healthy and hearty could be this hands-off? My crockpot pesto chicken is simple, flavorful and uses only 8 ingredients (including salt and pepper).

Think – a delicious combo of tender chicken breasts, Roma tomatoes, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and of course – pesto! Serve it with brown rice, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or a green salad.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 622
• Fats:
• Protein: 60g
• Carbs: 11g
• Fiber: 2.7g
• Sugar: 5.5g

5. Summer Beef Stew

Source: runningtothekitchen.com

Serving stew in summer might seem unusual, but this one is light, satisfying, and a breeze to make, because let’s be real – not every summer day is scorching hot.

Dump all the ingredients into a crockpot and dinner is on its way. Serve this delicious stew with fluffy rice, mashed potatoes, or couscous.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 487
• Fats: 18g
• Protein: 69g
• Carbs: 14g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g

6 Asian Chicken Salad Bowls

Source: cravingsomethinghealthy.com

Is the family craving Asian? Don’t head for takeout. Anna from Craving Something Healthy has a fab recipe for Asian chicken bowls that are tempting, tasty, and minus-the-grease.

The tender chicken is cooked in Hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced ginger, garlic powder and Sriracha for the perfect Asian experience.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 318
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 24g
• Carbs: 37g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 9g

7. Crockpot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Source: saltandlavender.com

I always find that soup is such a bonding meal, summer or winter. What I love about this recipe is that it’s super easy to throw together and set-and-forget.

It has juicy chicken, hearty vegetables, and pasta in a bright lemony broth, perfectly seasoned with a combo of dried basil, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 300
• Fats: 5g
• Protein: 37g
• Carbs: 26g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g

8. Crockpot Pulled Pork

Source: thecleaneatingcouple.com

Comfort food in disguise – this pulled pork is low-calorie, high-protein, and totally delicious.

The secret – instead of using fatty pork shoulder, the recipe calls for pork tenderloins which are much leaner.

It’s cooked with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, onion powder, cinnamon, ground ginger, chicken broth, and a low sugar BBQ sauce, and the results are delicious. Give it a try.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 346
• Fats: 13g
• Protein: 41g
• Carbs: 13g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 8g

9. Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Source: saltandlavender.com

There’s nothing better than pairing pulled chicken with cool, creamy coleslaw and a toasted bun. But, who wants to spend hours preparing it? Not me!

Natasha’s recipe is easy and hands-off to make. Dump everything into a crockpot and forget it.

The delicious pull-apart chicken is a fabulous summer sandwich filler. Want more crunch? Throw some potato chips into the sandwich for a fun twist.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 307
• Fats: 4g
• Protein: 33g
• Carbs: 32g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 26g

10. Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder

Source: anediblemosaic.com

Healthy, hearty, easy, and under 500 calories – what more could you want?

This delicious, creamy crockpot chicken corn chowder recipe is full of tender chicken, potatoes, and other vegetables for a cozy, satisfying comfort food meal.

This is my go-to recipe for busy days. I dump everything into the crockpot and forget it until it’s time to serve dinner.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 433
• Fats: 21g
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 4g

11. Crockpot Mexican Chicken

Source: goodlifeeats.com

Here’s an instant pot-friendly satisfying meal that’s light on calories but big on taste.

The crockpot chicken corn chowder is packed with chicken and vegetables in a rich, creamy, savory broth. For those who love the heat – add more jalapeños for that spine-tingling kick!

Serve with crusty garlic bread for dipping.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 122
• Fats: 3g
• Protein: 19g
• Carbs: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 2g

12. Pork Tenderloin Carnitas Tacos

Source: feastingnotfasting.com

How about this from Christy, Feasting Not Fasting – “shredded pork tenderloin seasoned with warming spices and chipotle peppers, slow-cooked in a crockpot and finished under the broiler, resulting in perfectly seasoned juicy and tender pulled meat with irresistibly crispy edges”.

It sounds delicious just reading, let alone making it! This recipe is the perfect summer dinner that’s healthy, low in calories, and brings all the great taco vibes without the takeout.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 189
• Fats: 3g
• Protein: 32g
• Carbs: 4g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 1g

13. Slow Cooker Salmon

Source: cleaneatingkitchen.com

This recipe is proof that you can create an upmarket meal that’s under 500 calories that can still be full-on delicious, impressive, and totally dinner-party worthy.

I love to make this when I invite guests around. It’s a plate of tender flaky salmon with a sauce made from lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Simple and elegant and all done in the crockpot.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 334
• Fats: 15.3g
• Protein: 38.6g
• Carbs: 8g
• Fiber: 0.6g
• Sugar: 2.6g

14. Crockpot Ramen

Source: upstateramblings.com

Looking for a low-calorie, fuss-free weeknight dinner? This ramen recipe is not just a packet of noodles!

With the help of some fresh ingredients, selected spices, and a crockpot, you have a tempting bowl of chicken in a flavorful Asian broth. To make it even more special, serve it with a topping of crushed cashews for some extra crunch.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 439
• Fats: 13g
• Protein: 59g
• Carbs: 19g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 11g

15. Crockpot Barbacoa Tacos

Source: neighborfoodblog.com

Planning a party should not mean spending hours in the kitchen while others relax. This fab recipe makes a huge batch of barbacoa in the slow cooker.

Your guests will love the spicy, tender, garlicky, shredded beef, piled into tacos and finished with a topping of their choice. Offer pickled jalapenos, sliced radishes, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, or fresh salsa.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 221
• Fats: 13g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g

16. Slow Cooker Pork Ramen Bowls

Source: dishingouthealth.com

The secret to making a great ramen dish at home is the broth and the crockpot!

I love this recipe from Dishing Out Health – it’s a low-calorie, tasty bowl filled with tender pork, mushrooms, and noodles in a slurp-worthy broth, finished with fresh and fiery garnishes.

If the kids don’t like the heat, let them skip the chili toppings and try toasted sesame seeds or corn kernels.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 480
• Fats: 28g
• Protein: 30g
• Carbs: 27g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g

17. Southwest Chicken Crockpot

Source: thegraciouspantry.com

When you’re craving the bold Tex-Mex and Native American flavors of the Southwest, this is the recipe you want.

It’s a mouthwatering, wholesome meal of seasoned shredded chicken, pinto beans, black beans, corn, and fire-roasted tomatoes, all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker.

Top with avocado, guacamole, sour cream, or Greek yogurt.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 244
• Fats: 4g
• Protein: 26g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 6g

18. Crockpot Chicken Nachos

Source: mykidslickthebowl.com

Stacey from My Kids Lick The Bowl has a fun colorful build-your-own-meal that the whole family will enjoy. And, best of all, it takes less than 10 minutes to prep.

Pile this delicious, tender, perfectly seasoned shredded chicken onto nachos and top with whatever takes their fancy. Think – guacamole, corn kernels, black beans, refried beans, roasted jalapeños, grated carrot, grated cheddar cheese, sour cream … the options are endless.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 327
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g

19. Crockpot Mexican Chicken Soup

Source: saltandlavender.com

Transport your taste buds to Mexico with this flavorful chicken soup recipe. The slow cooker does all the work, simmering the chicken in a light, flavorful sauce until it’s fall-apart tender.

It’s perfect for summer when you want comfort food but don’t want a heavy winter meal.

My kids love it topped with tortilla chips.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 285
• Fats: 5g
• Protein: 32g
• Carbs: 29g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 5g

20. Honey Garlic Chicken

Source: chefsavvy.com

Imagine – slow cooked chicken breasts tossed in a sweet and tangy Asian-inspired coating of ginger, garlic, honey, soy, rice wine vinegar, and Hoisin Sauce, topped with sesame seeds and green onions.

It’s a winning, yummy, low-calorie, yet satisfying meal that practically cooks itself in the crockpot, with barely any effort on your part. Add sriracha for a kick, or leave it out if you prefer your food less spicy.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 467
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 52g
• Carbs: 48g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 40g

21. Chicken Vegetable Crockpot Soup

Source: thekitchengirl.com

This chicken soup recipe doesn’t have noodles, so there’s plenty of space for loads of chicken and veggies.

It also reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prepping or enjoying throughout the week. Serve with garlic toast for dipping.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 103
• Fats: 3g
• Protein: 13g
• Carbs: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 2g

22. Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Source: beyondthechickencoop.com

Craving something wholesome and under 500 calories? Here you go!

This chicken soup is filled with black beans, corn, and shredded chicken. Just dump everything into a crockpot and let it do all the work.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 215
• Fats: 3g
• Protein: 19g
• Carbs: 31g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 7g

23. Slow Cooker Hoisin BBQ Chicken Tacos

Source: dishingouthealth.com

The final under 500 calories dish you shouldn’t miss is this Hoisin BBQ chicken tacos.

It brings all the flavors of a great Asian takeout without the grease or the expense. If you have leftovers after the tacos, the chicken is also delicious in a sandwich, on a pizza, or served over a bowl of cauliflower rice to keep the calories low.

Perfect for easy, lazy summer meals!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 228
• Fats: 7g
• Protein: 16g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fiber: 2.5g
• Sugar: 13g