The Best Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls Recipe Ever Made

Slow cooker chicken burrito bowls redefine ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Packed with robust flavors and minimal preparation, these bowls offer a delightful twist on traditional Mexican-inspired cuisine.

Rich layers of seasoned ingredients create a harmonious blend that tantalizes taste buds with every forkful.

Effortless cooking methods ensure you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying a satisfying meal.

Each component adds depth and character to this versatile dish, making it adaptable to individual preferences.

Colorful and nutritious, these burrito bowls promise a delectable dining adventure that will become a staple in your recipe collection.

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls

• Unlock Hands-Free Cooking: Slow cooker method lets you toss ingredients together and walk away, perfect for busy weekdays when you want a delicious meal without constant kitchen monitoring.
• Burst with Southwestern Flavors: Packed with chili powder, cumin, and hearty ingredients like chicken, beans, and corn, this burrito bowl delivers an authentic, zesty taste that transports your taste buds to a vibrant Mexican restaurant.
• Customize Your Bowl: Incredibly versatile recipe allows you to swap proteins, add extra veggies, or top with fresh garnishes like cilantro, sour cream, or avocado, making each serving uniquely yours while keeping meal prep simple and exciting.
• Nutritionally Balanced Comfort: Provides a wholesome one-pot meal with balanced macronutrients, offering protein from chicken, complex carbohydrates from rice, and fiber from beans, ensuring a satisfying and nourishing dinner that keeps you full and energized.

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls: Key Ingredients

• Chicken: Lean protein that becomes tender and easily shreddable when slow-cooked, choose boneless and skinless for best results.

• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and tangy flavor, look for no-salt-added varieties for better seasoning control.
• Chicken Broth: Provides essential cooking liquid and enhances overall dish moisture, low-sodium options recommended.

• Chili Powder: Adds warm, smoky depth to the dish, choose a fresh blend for maximum flavor impact.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and balances other ingredients.
• Cumin: Brings earthy, warm notes typical in Mexican-inspired cooking.

• Beans: Adds protein and creamy texture, can use black or pinto beans.
• Rice: Provides hearty base and absorbs flavors, long-grain white rice works best.
• Corn: Adds sweetness and texture, frozen or canned corn both work well.

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls: Easy Directions

Step 1: Boost the Goodness

• Black beans
• Fluffy rice
• Sweet corn

Continue cooking on LOW for another 3-4 hours. Keep an eye on the rice during the final hour, giving everything an occasional stir. If the mixture looks a bit parched, splash in some extra broth to keep things moist.

Step 2: Perfect the Finale

Check if the rice is tender. If there’s still liquid hanging around, uncover the slow cooker and crank it to HIGH to help the excess liquid vanish. Grab two forks and shred the chicken into delectable pieces, folding it gently into the rice. Take a taste and sprinkle in extra seasonings to make your burrito bowl sing with flavor.

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls Tips for Perfect Flavor

• Master the Liquid Ratio: Add just enough broth to barely cover ingredients, preventing dry or soggy burrito bowls.
• Prevent Rice Clumping: Stir rice occasionally during cooking to ensure even moisture and prevent sticking.
• Choose the Right Rice: Use long-grain white rice for best texture and absorption in slow cooker recipes.
• Customize Flavor Layers: Experiment with different spice blends like smoked paprika or Mexican oregano to elevate the dish.
• Shred Chicken Perfectly: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to make shredding easier and more tender.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers of Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls

• Refrigeration: Store leftover burrito bowls in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Freezing: Carefully transfer cooled chicken burrito bowls to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain quality.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen burrito bowls overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in the microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds to distribute heat evenly. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out.

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls Pairing Ideas

• Pair with Refreshing Margaritas: Complement the zesty chicken burrito bowl with a classic lime margarita that cuts through the rich, spicy flavors and provides a cool, tangy contrast.
• Serve with Crisp Cilantro Slaw: Create a light, crunchy side salad with shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro, and a lime vinaigrette to add brightness and texture to the hearty dish.
• Match with Mexican Lager Beer: Select a light, crisp Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo to balance the warmth of the spices and provide a clean, refreshing accompaniment to the robust burrito bowl.
• Top with Fresh Guacamole: Enhance the meal with homemade guacamole, adding creamy richness and a burst of fresh avocado flavor that perfectly complements the slow-cooked chicken and rice.

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls: Variations to Try

• Spicy Southwest Fusion: Replace chili powder with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky, intense heat. Add diced jalapeños for extra kick and sprinkle fresh cilantro before serving.
• Vegetarian Power Bowl: Swap chicken with firm tofu or black beans as protein source. Incorporate quinoa instead of rice for higher protein content and more nutritional value.
• Mediterranean Inspired Remix: Substitute Mexican spices with oregano, garlic, and lemon zest. Add kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Green Chile Verde Style: Use green enchilada sauce instead of diced tomatoes. Include roasted green chiles and swap cumin for tomatillo salsa to create a tangy, vibrant variation.

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls Recipe

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4.9 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired slow cooker chicken burrito bowls deliver a hearty, flavor-packed meal that brings restaurant-quality comfort right to your kitchen. Tender chicken, zesty seasonings, and colorful toppings combine for a delicious dinner you can easily customize and enjoy with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 to 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or a mix

Grains and Legumes:

• 1 cup uncooked brown rice
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

Vegetables and Liquids:

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed

Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded cheese
• Chopped cilantro
• Sour cream
• Diced avocado
• Salsa
• Hot sauce
• Diced green onions
• Shredded lettuce

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Instructions

1. Gently place chicken breasts in a 2.5 to 3.5-quart (2.4 to 3.3 liters) slow cooker, ensuring complete coverage with diced tomatoes, chicken broth, chili powder, kosher salt, and ground cumin.
2. Set slow cooker to low temperature and allow chicken to simmer and become tender for 3 to 4 hours, maintaining sufficient liquid levels throughout cooking process.
3. After initial cooking period, carefully incorporate black beans, long-grain white rice, and sweet corn kernels into the slow cooker mixture.
4. Continue cooking on low temperature for an additional 3 to 4 hours, periodically checking rice’s texture and stirring gently to prevent sticking or uneven cooking.
5. If rice appears firm but excess liquid remains, remove slow cooker lid and increase temperature to high, allowing remaining liquid to evaporate and concentrate flavors.
6. Using two forks, delicately shred chicken breasts directly within the cooking vessel, ensuring even distribution throughout rice and vegetable mixture.
7. Taste the burrito bowl filling and adjust seasonings as needed, potentially adding extra chili powder, salt, or cumin to enhance overall flavor profile.
8. Serve hot in individual bowls, garnishing with optional toppings like fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, or shredded cheese for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Slow cooking transforms tough chicken into tender, flavor-packed morsels that easily shred and blend with spices.
• Liquid levels are crucial for preventing dry rice and ensuring each bite bursts with Mexican-inspired zest.
• Experiment with different bean varieties like black, pinto, or kidney to personalize your burrito bowl experience.
• Corn adds subtle sweetness and vibrant color, creating visual appeal and textural contrast in the final dish.
• Customize toppings with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, or sharp shredded cheese for extra excitement.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 360 kcal
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 240mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 55mg