4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken with Stuffing – Weight Watchers Friendly

If you’re looking for a quick, simple, and satisfying meal that doesn’t compromise your health goals, this 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken with Stuffing recipe is the perfect solution. Combining tender chicken with savory stuffing, this dish requires minimal preparation but delivers maximum flavor. It’s an ideal recipe for busy weeknights, family dinners, or even as a comforting holiday meal.

With the Weight Watchers version, we’ve optimized this recipe to keep it lighter without sacrificing taste. By making a few simple substitutions and controlling portion sizes, this slow cooker chicken dish is low in points but packed with flavor. This version is perfect for anyone on the Weight Watchers program, allowing you to enjoy the hearty goodness of stuffing and chicken, but with fewer points, fewer calories, and more nutritional value.

In this detailed, professional recipe, we’ll guide you through every step of making this delicious meal, including useful tips for maximizing flavor while keeping it healthy. We’ll also include essential nutritional information, variations to suit different preferences, and useful storage tips to ensure that you can make this recipe work for you all week long.

Ingredients:

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: 4 (about 1.5 pounds)
  • Weight Watchers-friendly stuffing mix: 1 box (preferably a lower-calorie version, such as whole-wheat or herb-flavored stuffing)
  • Low-sodium chicken broth: 1 cup
  • Fat-free cream of chicken soup: 1 can (about 10.5 oz)

These four basic ingredients come together to create a filling, comforting meal. By using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fat-free cream of chicken soup, and low-sodium chicken broth, this recipe keeps calories and fat in check while maintaining rich, savory flavors. The Weight Watchers-friendly stuffing mix provides a great base for the dish, absorbing the delicious flavors from the chicken and broth.

Instructions:

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken Start by placing the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. If your chicken breasts are frozen, you can still use them—just be sure to extend the cooking time by a couple of hours to ensure they cook all the way through.

For best results, use fresh chicken breasts for a more tender texture and faster cooking time. If you have time, you can even sear the chicken breasts in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker for an extra layer of flavor. However, this step is optional, as the slow cooker will provide ample moisture to keep the chicken juicy.

Step 2: Mixing the Soup and Broth In a separate bowl, combine the fat-free cream of chicken soup and the low-sodium chicken broth. Stir until smooth. This mixture serves as the base of your sauce, which will help keep the chicken moist while cooking and add flavor to the stuffing. The cream of chicken soup creates a creamy texture, while the broth provides a savory undertone without the excess fat and sodium often found in traditional recipes.

Pour the soup and broth mixture over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, ensuring that the chicken is evenly coated. This mixture will gradually soak into the chicken as it cooks, creating a delicious, flavorful sauce.

Step 3: Adding the Stuffing Now it’s time to add the stuffing. Open your box of Weight Watchers-friendly stuffing mix and sprinkle it evenly over the chicken and soup mixture. Do not stir. The stuffing mix should remain on top of the chicken. As the slow cooker works, the stuffing will absorb the liquid and become tender, taking on all the savory flavors from the chicken and broth below.

Step 4: Cooking in the Slow Cooker Set your slow cooker to the low setting and cook for about 6-7 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork. If you’re short on time, you can cook the dish on high for about 3-4 hours. Be mindful not to overcook the chicken, as it can become dry. For the best results, check the chicken’s temperature—it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

While the chicken is cooking, avoid stirring the stuffing until the end of the cooking time to ensure it remains fluffy and doesn’t become mushy.

Step 5: Shredding the Chicken Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the chicken. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the stuffing mixture. This allows the chicken to soak up the stuffing flavors, making every bite even more delicious.

Step 6: Final Touches If you like a bit of a crust on your stuffing, you can transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake it for about 15-20 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to give it a crispy top. However, this step is optional, and you can enjoy the dish directly from the slow cooker if you prefer a softer texture.

Step 7: Serving Serve the slow-cooked chicken with stuffing immediately. This dish pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes, or a crisp green salad for a well-rounded meal.

Weight Watchers Points:

Per Serving (1/6th of the recipe):

  • Points: 5 points (WW Blue, Green, Purple)
  • Calories: 280
  • Total Fat: 3g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 26g

This recipe is a great way to enjoy the flavors of a classic chicken and stuffing dish without feeling guilty. By choosing lean chicken breasts and using low-fat alternatives for the soup and broth, the calorie and fat count are significantly reduced. The stuffing mix is the main source of carbohydrates, so portion control is key if you’re watching your points.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

  • Calories: 280 kcal
  • Protein: 26g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
    • Fiber: 2g
    • Sugars: 3g
  • Total Fat: 3g
    • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Potassium: 560mg
  • Calcium: 30mg
  • Iron: 1mg

Tips for Making the Best 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken with Stuffing:

  1. Choose Lean Chicken: The key to keeping this dish low in fat and calories is using boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you prefer dark meat, you can substitute chicken thighs, but keep in mind that this will increase the fat content of the dish.
  2. Customize the Stuffing: While the recipe calls for a Weight Watchers-friendly stuffing mix, you can experiment with other stuffing varieties that fit your preferences. For example, you can use whole wheat stuffing or even gluten-free stuffing for a healthier, more inclusive option.
  3. Adjust the Liquid Ratio: If you prefer a moister stuffing, you can increase the amount of broth or soup slightly. However, be careful not to add too much, as it may cause the stuffing to become too soggy. You can always adjust the moisture level based on your desired consistency.
  4. Add Vegetables for Extra Nutrition: Consider adding some frozen or fresh vegetables to the slow cooker for added nutrients. Vegetables such as carrots, peas, or green beans can cook along with the chicken and stuffing, adding color and vitamins to the dish.
  5. Use Low-Sodium Options: The use of low-sodium chicken broth and fat-free cream of chicken soup ensures that the dish remains lower in sodium. This is especially important if you are watching your sodium intake for health reasons.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips:

  • Storing Leftovers: This recipe is ideal for meal prep, as it stores well for several days. Allow the chicken and stuffing to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freezing for Later: If you make a double batch or want to store it for future meals, you can freeze the leftovers. Place the chicken and stuffing in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. This dish will last up to 2-3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat it, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
  • Reheating: To reheat the dish, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired temperature. If reheating on the stovetop, add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and heat on low until warmed through.

Conclusion:

This 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken with Stuffing is the perfect recipe for those looking for an easy, satisfying, and Weight Watchers-friendly meal. With its simple ingredients, minimal preparation, and hands-off cooking, it’s a convenient dish to prepare for busy nights or when hosting a family dinner. The slow cooker ensures that the chicken remains tender and juicy, while the stuffing absorbs all the savory flavors.

Not only is this dish low in points, but it’s also rich in protein, making it a healthy choice for anyone on a weight management program. By following a few simple tips and making thoughtful ingredient choices, you can enjoy a comforting, flavorful meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious. Whether you’re cooking for a family or preparing a week’s worth of meals, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your healthy eating repertoire.