Savory Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe to Enjoy Today

Weeknight dinners demand delicious solutions that pack a flavorful chicken burrito bowl punch while saving precious time.

Busy families need meals that come together effortlessly without sacrificing taste.

This recipe combines tender chicken, vibrant spices, and wholesome ingredients in one simple dish.

Slow cooking allows each component to develop rich, complex flavors that dance across your palate.

Beans, rice, and seasoned chicken create a complete meal that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds.

Fresh toppings like cilantro, avocado, and a squeeze of lime add brightness and zest.

Prepare to transform an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration that everyone will love.

Gear For Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl

• Slow Cooker: Essential for creating this one-pot meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Two Forks: Perfect for easily shredding the tender cooked chicken.
• Cutting Board: Helpful for prepping any fresh toppings like cilantro or avocado.
• Measuring Spices: Allows precise seasoning with chili powder, cumin, and other spices.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Useful for stirring rice and mixing ingredients in the slow cooker.

How To Layer Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl

• Toss Ingredients Into Slow Cooker

Grab your slow cooker and create a flavor party by dropping chicken breasts right at the bottom. Splash in black beans, corn, juicy tomatoes, zesty salsa, and chicken broth. Sprinkle magical spices that’ll make your taste buds dance – chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and friends. Squeeze fresh lime juice for an extra kick. Seal the lid and let everything mingle for 6-7 hours on LOW or 3-4 hours on HIGH until chicken becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.

• Break Down and Build Up

Pull out the chicken and shred it into delicious strips using two forks. Introduce uncooked rice into the slow cooker’s flavor pool, then nestle the shredded chicken back in. Cover and let everything get cozy for 30-40 minutes on HIGH until rice reaches perfect softness. Stir occasionally to prevent any clingy rice situations.

• Craft Your Culinary Masterpiece

Dish out your burrito bowl into waiting bowls. Crown your creation with dreamy toppings like melty cheese, creamy avocado, dollops of sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Your dinner just became an epic flavor adventure!

Tips For Flavorful Chicken Burrito Bowl

• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare this burrito bowl in advance and store in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Refrigerated portions reheat beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of extra broth.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace chicken with lean ground turkey, shredded beef, or plant-based protein alternatives like tofu or tempeh for diverse meal options. Each protein brings unique flavors and textures to the dish.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by selecting mild, medium, or hot salsa. For extra kick, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper during cooking. Fresh hot sauce can always be added individually at serving time.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Double-check salsa and broth labels to ensure no hidden gluten ingredients. Use certified gluten-free rice for absolute certainty.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace rice with cauliflower rice or serve over a bed of mixed greens. This transforms the burrito bowl into a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal perfect for ketogenic and low-carb diet followers.

Serve Chicken Burrito Bowl Warm And Easy

• Fiesta Feast Presentation: Create a vibrant burrito bowl spread with colorful toppings like diced avocados, bright cilantro, and crumbled queso fresco to make each serving pop with flavor and visual appeal.
• Mexican Inspired Plating: Serve in wide, shallow bowls that showcase the layers of chicken, rice, and toppings, allowing guests to see the delicious ingredients and customize their meal.
• Garnish Galore: Offer a topping bar with chopped green onions, sliced jalapeños, lime wedges, and extra salsa so everyone can personalize their burrito bowl and add their preferred level of zest and heat.
• Family-Style Sharing: Place the slow cooker in the center of the table with bowls of toppings surrounding it, encouraging interactive dining where people can build their perfect burrito bowl together.

Store Chicken Burrito Bowl For Later

• Batch Cooking Wonder: Prepare multiple portions in one session, perfect for meal prepping. Divide into individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
• Freezer-Friendly Solution: Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Freeze portions for up to 3 months, ensuring a delicious meal is always ready when needed.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm gently in microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and prevent dryness. Stir well to distribute heat evenly.
• Topping Separation Strategy: Store toppings like avocado, cheese, and cilantro separately to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess. Add fresh toppings just before serving for maximum flavor and texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) / 3-4 hours (high)

Total Time: 6-7 hours

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need For Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the hearty foundation, select fresh, boneless cuts for easy shredding and optimal texture.
• Black Beans: Plant-based protein packed with fiber, choose low-sodium canned beans for convenience and added nutrition.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika: Spice blend that creates deep, complex southwestern flavor profile, select high-quality, fresh ground spices for maximum taste intensity.
• Lime Juice: Bright, zesty element that adds refreshing acidity and balances rich flavors, use fresh-squeezed for maximum brightness.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that amplifies overall taste, opt for kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

• Salsa: Adds moisture and vibrant tomato flavor, select restaurant-style or chunky salsa for better texture.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides additional moisture and tangy sweetness, choose fire-roasted for extra depth.
• Corn: Sweet, crisp vegetable that adds texture and color, select frozen or canned corn for convenience.
• Chicken Broth: Creates moisture and enhances overall savory profile, use low-sodium for better control of salt content.
• Uncooked Rice: Absorbs flavors and creates hearty base, long-grain white rice works best for consistent texture.

Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 6-7 hours
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired slow cooker chicken burrito bowl delivers layers of authentic flavors with minimal kitchen effort. Home cooks can enjoy this simple, hearty meal packed with zesty ingredients and protein-rich chicken.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 chicken breasts (or thighs), boneless, skinless
• 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can corn, drained
• 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (10 oz / 283 g) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
• 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
• 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup long-grain white or brown rice (uncooked)
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
• Avocado or guacamole
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Diced tomatoes
• Jalapenos
• Tortilla chips or strips

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Instructions

1. Layer Foundation: Position chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a robust protein base for the dish.
2. Ingredient Cascade: Uniformly distribute black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and salsa over the chicken, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
3. Seasoning Infusion: Sprinkle a dynamic medley of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to elevate the flavor complexity.
4. Citrus Accent: Splash fresh lime juice across the ingredients to introduce a vibrant, zesty dimension.
5. Slow Transformation: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, allowing chicken to become incredibly tender and flavors to meld harmoniously.
6. Chicken Preparation: Carefully shred the chicken using two forks, creating delicate, succulent strands that will integrate seamlessly with other ingredients.
7. Rice Integration: Introduce uncooked rice directly into the liquid, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution and optimal absorption of the rich, seasoned broth.
8. Final Fusion: Reincorporate shredded chicken into the rice mixture, maintaining a balanced blend of proteins and grains.
9. Finishing Touch: Continue cooking on HIGH for 30-40 minutes, intermittently stirring to prevent rice from sticking and achieve perfect texture.
10. Presentation: Transfer the aromatic burrito bowl contents into serving dishes and garnish with optional toppings like melted cheese, creamy avocado, tangy sour cream, and fresh cilantro to enhance the culinary experience.

Notes

• Choose the Right Chicken: Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dryness.
• Prevent Rice Sticking: Stir rice occasionally and add a bit more liquid if needed to stop it from clumping or burning at the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder and spices according to personal heat tolerance, starting with less and adding more incrementally.
• Dietary Modifications: Swap white rice for cauliflower rice for a low-carb version, or use brown rice for added nutritional value and fiber.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) / 3-4 hours (high)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg