Okay, my fellow busy bees, confession time: some weeknights, the very thought of cooking feels like climbing Mount Everest. That’s where this Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe swoops in like a culinary superhero! Seriously, this thing is a lifesaver. I remember this one chaotic Tuesday where dinner was the last thing on my mind, but thanks to this magic pot, we had amazing, flavorful bowls ready with zero stress. All you do is toss everything in and let the slow cooker do all the heavy lifting. It’s just… beautiful.
Why This Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe is a Weeknight Winner
Honestly, this recipe is pure gold for those crazy weeknights. Here’s why it’s become my go-to:
- Dump and Go Ease: Seriously, you just toss everything into the slow cooker. No fancy techniques, no constant stirring. It’s pure magic for when you’re exhausted.
- Minimal Cleanup, Maximum Flavor: The best part? Usually, only one pot to wash! Plus, the slow cooker really melds all those amazing flavors together, making this chicken super tender and tasty.
- Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Whether it’s picky eaters or adults, everyone loves a good burrito bowl. You can load up on your favorite toppings, making it totally customizable.
- Busy Night Buddy: You can literally prep it in the morning and come home to a fully cooked, delicious dinner. It’s a sanity saver when time is tight.
It just takes all the stress out of dinner when you’ve got a million other things going on.
Gather Your Ingredients for the Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl
Alright, let’s get you prepped for this culinary magic! You won’t believe how simple the ingredient list is for this Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe. It’s all about tossing a few pantry staples in there and letting the magic happen. You’ll need:
- About 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (these get super tender!)
- 1 (15 ounce) can of black beans, all rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can of corn, drained (frozen works great too!)
- 1 (10 ounce) can of diced tomatoes with green chilies – this is where a lot of that yummy flavor comes from! Keep the juice in too.
- 1 packet of taco seasoning – the easy button for flavor!
- About 1/2 cup of chicken broth (just to keep things moist)
And for serving, you’ll want some fluffy cooked rice. Then, the toppings are where you can really have fun! Shredded cheese, your favorite salsa, a dollop of sour cream, creamy avocado, or some fresh cilantro – whatever makes your taste buds happy!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl
Alright, let’s get this party started! This is the part where the magic really happens, and you’ll see just how easy it is to whip up this Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl. Trust me, it’s nearly foolproof!
Prep and Load the Slow Cooker
First things first, grab your slow cooker. Place those beautiful chicken breasts right at the bottom. Then, you just add in the rinsed and drained black beans, the drained corn, and that can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (don’t drain that one! All that juicy goodness is flavor gold!). Sprinkle the taco seasoning all over everything and pour in the chicken broth. Easy peasy!
Cooking the Chicken to Perfection
Now, put the lid on tight! You’ve got two options here: cook it on low for about 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a rush, you can crank it up to high for 3 to 4 hours. I usually go for low because it makes the chicken ridiculously tender, but high works in a pinch. Just make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through – it should shred easily with two forks. Give it a poke to be sure!
Shredding and Combining for Maximum Flavor
Once the chicken is cooked and super tender, you’ll want to carefully take it out of the slow cooker and put it on a plate or cutting board. Grab two forks and shred it all up. This is my favorite part – watching it fall apart so easily! Then, just pop that shredded chicken right back into the slow cooker with all the beans, corn, and tomatoes. Give it a good stir so everything is coated and mixed together. Mmm, smell that?
Serving Your Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl
Okay, the moment of truth! Get your bowls ready. Spoon a nice generous serving of your cooked rice into the bottom. Then ladle that amazing, flavorful chicken and bean mixture right on top. This is your masterpiece base! Now, go wild with your favorite toppings. A sprinkle of cheese, a dollop of salsa, some creamy avocado slices… whatever your heart desires!
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl
Okay, listen up, because I’ve made this Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl recipe more times than I can count, and I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way to make it absolutely perfect every single time. It’s not just about following the steps, it’s about those little secrets that make a good meal great!
First off, don’t skimp on the taco seasoning! Use a good quality packet, and if you’re feeling brave, you can even add a little extra pinch of cumin or chili powder for a deeper flavor. And for the chicken, while breasts are lean and wonderful, don’t be afraid to use thighs if you have them – they get even more tender and flavorful, though they might take a tiny bit longer to cook through. I usually check the chicken halfway through the high cook time just to make sure it’s getting nice and tender. Oh, and a little tip: if your beans seem a bit mushy after cooking, just gently mash a few against the side of the slow cooker with your spoon. It helps thicken everything up beautifully!
Also, I love adding a splash of lime juice right before serving. It really brightens up all those rich, savory flavors. Don’t worry if it looks a little watery when you first open the slow cooker – once you shred the chicken and mix it all up, it thickens right up. It’s seriously my favorite easy dinner.
Ingredient Notes and Delicious Substitutions
Okay, let’s talk ingredients for this Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl! Sometimes you might not have exactly what’s listed, or maybe you want to tweak things. No worries! The diced tomatoes with green chilies are awesome, but if you can’t find them, just use a can of diced tomatoes and add a little pinch of green chilies or a dash of hot sauce. For the chicken, while breasts are super lean, chicken thighs are an *amazing* substitute if you have them on hand – they get incredibly tender and add even more rich flavor, might just take a tad longer to cook, so keep that in mind!
And black beans? If you’re not a black bean fan, kidney beans or pinto beans work just as well! Just make sure they’re rinsed and drained. The great thing about this recipe is its flexibility!
Frequently Asked Questions about this Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe
Got questions about this amazing Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl that’ll seriously change your weeknights? I’ve definitely got you covered! It’s one of those recipes I get asked about all the time, so let’s dive in. Feel free to reach out via my contact page if you have anything else!
Can I make this recipe spicier?
Absolutely! For a real kick, use the hotter diced tomatoes with green chilies – they sometimes have a “hot” version! Or, you can easily add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce right into the slow cooker when you’re adding everything else. You can even toss in some sliced jalapeños if you’re feeling brave!
How long does the shredded chicken last in the refrigerator?
This shredded chicken is honestly a weeknight miracle for leftovers! It stays perfectly good in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Just reheat it gently – I usually pop it in a pan on the stove with a little broth, or you can use the microwave until it’s nice and warm.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Oh yeah, chicken thighs are a fantastic substitute here! They get incredibly tender and add even more rich flavor, which is always a win in my book. Just keep in mind they might need a bit longer to cook through than breasts, so maybe add an extra hour on low or an hour on high heat. They’re totally worth!
Nutritional Information
Just a friendly reminder that the nutritional info for this Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl can vary depending on exactly what you use and how much you load up on toppings! But generally, a serving will look something like this: about 450 calories, 15g fat, 40g protein, 35g carbs, and 8g fiber. Pretty great for such an easy meal, wouldn’t you say?
Print
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A simple and flavorful slow cooker recipe for chicken burrito bowls.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, avocado, cilantro
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, taco seasoning, and chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks.
- Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the other ingredients.
- Serve the chicken mixture over cooked rice.
- Add your favorite toppings.
Notes
- For spicier bowls, use a spicier variety of diced tomatoes with green chilies.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (without toppings)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: slow cooker, chicken, burrito bowl, easy recipe, weeknight dinner, Mexican, gluten free