Having warm, comforting foods available during the winter months can help you meet your weight loss goals. To help get you started, here are two slow cooker recipes that are simple, healthy and allow tweaking to your liking.

Tender Pulled Chicken

 

Ingredients

6 chicken breasts (about 3 lbs.)

2 sweet onions, thickly sliced

1 tablespoon paprika

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

½ cup cider vinegar

¼ cup red wine vinegar

4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

½ teaspoon dry mustard

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1 ½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Mix paprika, brown sugar, salt and pepper and rub onto chicken. Place onion into the slow cooker and then add the chicken. Combine vinegars, Worcestershire, mustard, garlic powder and red pepper. Pour vinegar mixture over chicken. Cook on high for six hours. Remove and shred chicken. Serve with chopped onions and sauce from slow cooker on whole grain buns.

Warming Winter Chili

Ingredients

1 lb. extra-lean ground beef

2-15 oz. cans dark kidney beans

½ medium onion, chopped

1-28 oz. can diced tomatoes

4 oz. tomato sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon oregano

Salt/pepper to taste

Directions:

Brown beef in pan and drain liquid. Combine meat and all other ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for five to six hours.