The Christmas decorations are down, you’re well into January, and the weather feels like the winter doldrums! If that’s where you’re at, you need a comforting winter stew to take you through the latter part of winter. Slow cooker stews are easy to throw together and have just the right ingredients to comfort those winter blues. Whether you’re a hearty meat and potatoes family, prefer the other white meat, or have moved to the lighter side of fare this year, these 5 recipes will hit the spot.

Rustic Chicken Slow Cooker Stew – If you’re trying to lighten up your fare, but still want a hearty stew, this rustic chicken with potatoes and veggies is just right.

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Chicken Quinoa Stew – I often think of comfort food as heavy and not always the healthiest. Well this super healthy stew has proved me wrong. It’s packed with nutrients yet still has all the makings of a comfort stew.

Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala – Not exactly a stew but easy to make in the slow cooker, and elegant enough for a weekend meal, this chicken marsala is a can’t miss!

Crockpot Sweet Potato Stew – In the interest of good health, I’m working to eliminate my intake of starchy white potatoes in favor of healthy sweet potatoes. This stew is the perfect recipe of flavor and good nutrition.

Slow Cooked Pork Roast – As an alternative to stew, but super simple in the slow cooker, this port roast will melt in your mouth. Delicious the first time around, it maintains the same moistness and flavor for a good few leftover meals as well.

Low-Fat Virgin Chicken Marsala - This last recipe is not for the slow cooker, but is another wonderful version of Chicken Marsala made with low-fat yogurt and the added complexity of corn.