Slow Cooker Chicken Stew with Lentils and Spinach

Name: Slow Cooker Chicken Stew with Lentils and Spinach (Middle Eastern)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 20 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Middle eastern
Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray; 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks; 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted with the water squeezed out; 3 carrots, chopped; 1 onion, chopped; ¾ cup brown or green lentils, rinsed; 3 cups reduced sodium chicken broth; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 1 lemon, juiced

by Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition on Oct 13, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

This Middle Eastern-inspired Slow Cooker Chicken Stew with Lentil and Spinach is so comforting and delicious. Add this easy crockpot recipe to your weekly meal plan for a healthy dinner idea. The leftovers are great too.

This slow cooker chicken lentil stew is perfect for a cold night. And, since it’s made in a crockpot, it will be waiting for you at the end of a long day. It’s hard to beat this type of easy recipe on busy weeknights.

This hearty and filling Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is also packed with protein, fiber, flavor, and energy-boosting nutrients.

Contents hide

1 Why You Need This Recipe

2 Key Ingredients

3 Recipe Steps

4 Recipe Tips & Substitutions

5 FAQs

6 Other Healthy Stew Recipes You Might Like

7 Slow Cooker Chicken Stew with Lentils and Spinach (Middle Eastern)

Why You Need This Recipe

Something about stew is so comforting! And fortunately this stew is equally satisfying since both chicken and lentils are high in protein.
It’s super simple. Just dump everything into the crockpot and turn it on.
It makes delicious leftovers. Just reheat and enjoy.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for slow cooker chicken stew with lentils

Boneless skinless chicken breasts – Cut them into 1-inch chunks before adding them to the slow cooker. This way you won’t need to do any shredding when it’s finished. You will have tender bites of chicken ready to eat.

Spinach – Spinach is a nutrient powerhouse and is great for your skin too! Spinach has a mild flavor once cooked and makes a great addition to soups and stews.

Carrots & onion – Veggies add even more flavor and healthy vitamins.

Lentils – Lentils are a budget-friendly and healthy way to bulk up a meal or soup. They’re an excellent source of iron, fiber, and B-vitamins plus they’re rather filling. See my related recipe for Chickpea and Lentil Curry.

Chicken broth – Use chicken broth for an instant boost of flavor. You can also use vegetable broth if you prefer or have it on hand.

Recipe Steps

Step One

Spray the bottom of your slow cooker with a light spray of nonstick cooking spray.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

Add all the ingredients except the lemon juice to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.

a slow cooker full of chicken, lentils, and veggies

Step Three

Put the lid on the slow cooker and set the temperature to low for eight hours.

a crockpot with chicken, lentils, and veggies

Step Four

Remove the lid, stir in the lemon juice, and serve hot.

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
You can also freeze the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Feel free to serve this dish with cooked rice, if you wish.
You can substitute the carrots for peeled and chopped sweet potatoes, if you prefer.

FAQs

Do I need to soak my lentils beforehand?

Nope! Just give them a good rinse to remove any debris and they’re ready to use.

Can I add fresh spinach instead of frozen?

Yes! The spinach will have plenty of time to wilt. The benefit of frozen spinach is that it’s already chopped into small pieces and it’s usually more budget-friendly.

Can I use red lentils?

Brown and green lentils hold there shape better while cooking. Red lentils get mushy and tend to fall apart with long cooking times.

bowl of cooked chicken stew with spinach

Other Healthy Stew Recipes You Might Like

Or, check out my entire index of healthy slow cooker recipes.

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!