Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe for Everyone

Weeknight dinners demand delicious, satisfying meals that burst with flavor and the classic chicken burrito bowl in a slow cooker delivers every single time.

This one-pot wonder combines tender, seasoned chicken with zesty Mexican-inspired ingredients that dance across your taste buds.

Each layer of the dish builds incredible depth and complexity without complicated cooking techniques.

Home cooks seeking a hassle-free meal that impresses will love how effortlessly this recipe comes together.

Packed with protein, vibrant vegetables, and bold spices, the dish transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality feast.

The slow cooker works its magic, infusing every bite with rich, harmonious flavors that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to savor a meal that turns an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

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

Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 520 kcal

Servings: 6

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that becomes tender and easily shreddable, choose fresh boneless skinless cuts for best texture.

• Black Beans, Corn, Diced Tomatoes: Hearty mix adding texture and nutrition, select canned varieties without added salt for healthier option.

• Salsa, Chicken Broth, Lime Juice: Creates rich sauce and tenderizes meat, pick fresh salsa for brighter flavor and homemade-style taste.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Builds complex southwestern flavor profile, use fresh ground spices for maximum aroma and intensity.

• Rice, Cheese, Avocado, Sour Cream, Fresh Cilantro: Provides additional layers of texture and freshness, choose long-grain white rice for best absorption of cooking liquids.

Tools to Prep Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls

• Slow cooker: Essential for cooking the entire dish with minimal effort.
• Forks: Perfect for shredding the cooked chicken easily.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices and seasonings.
• Cutting board: For any additional chopping of toppings.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients in the slow cooker.
• Serving bowls: To plate and serve the burrito bowl.

How to Build a Chicken Burrito Bowl in the Crockpot

• Toss Ingredients Into Slow Cooker

Drop chicken into the bottom of your slow cooker and pour in black beans, corn, tomatoes, salsa, and broth. Sprinkle seasonings generously and squeeze fresh lime juice over everything. This creates a flavor-packed base for your delicious meal.

• Transform Chicken Into Tender Goodness

Let your slow cooker work its magic, cooking everything on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes super soft and easily pulls apart. Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken into delectable strips.

• Add Fluffy Rice

Stir uncooked rice directly into the liquid mixture and return shredded chicken back to the pot. Cook on HIGH for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure rice absorbs all those incredible flavors and becomes perfectly tender.

• Create Your Dream Bowl

Scoop the steaming mixture into bowls and personalize with your favorite toppings like creamy cheese, sliced avocado, dollops of sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Enjoy your restaurant-quality burrito bowl right at home!

Add-Ins That Make Chicken Burrito Bowls More Exciting

• Always maintain a 1: 1 ratio of liquid to rice to prevent dry or mushy textures, ensuring perfectly cooked grains every time.
• Toast spices in a dry pan before adding to the slow cooker to intensify their depth and create a more complex flavor profile.
• Swap chicken breasts with chicken thighs for richer taste, or use turkey, beef, or plant-based protein alternatives to suit different dietary needs.
• This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat for quick, delicious meals during busy weeks.
• Replace rice with cauliflower rice or quinoa for a lower-carbohydrate version that's equally satisfying and nutritious.

Serving Chicken Burrito Bowls With Toppings and Style

• Flavor Fiesta Bowl: Layer the burrito bowl ingredients in a visually appealing way, creating colorful sections of rice, chicken, beans, and vibrant toppings for an Instagram-worthy meal.
• Mexican Nacho Twist: Serve the chicken mixture over tortilla chips instead of rice, transforming the recipe into a delicious nacho platter perfect for game day or casual gatherings.
• Meal Prep Magic: Pack individual portions in sealed containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week, keeping the toppings separate to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Set up a topping bar with various options like different cheeses, hot sauces, chopped jalapeños, and fresh herbs, allowing everyone to personalize their burrito bowl to their taste preferences.

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Storage Notes

• Whip up a big batch and divide into meal prep containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. These burrito bowls stay delicious for 4-5 days when refrigerated in sealed containers.
• Carefully transfer cooled mixture into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. Freeze flat to save space and keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm refrigerated portions in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture. Stir halfway through heating to distribute warmth evenly and prevent dry spots.
• Store toppings like cheese, avocado, and cilantro separately to maintain freshness. Add these just before serving to keep ingredients crisp and prevent soggy textures.

Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired slow cooker chicken burrito bowl delivers bold flavors and easy meal prep for busy weeknights. Hearty ingredients layer together creating a satisfying dinner that brings restaurant-quality comfort right to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) or thighs
• 1 cup rice (long-grain, white or brown, uncooked)
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 (15 oz) can corn (drained)
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
• 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
• 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 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. Slow Cooker Preparation: Arrange chicken breasts at the base of the slow cooker, creating a foundation for the burrito bowl ingredients.
2. Seasoning Blend: Generously sprinkle chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the chicken. Cascade black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and salsa around the chicken, then drizzle chicken broth and lime juice to enhance the flavor profile.
3. Initial Cooking Phase: Secure the lid and allow the ingredients to simmer on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until the chicken becomes exceptionally tender and easily separates.
4. Chicken and Rice Integration: Extract the chicken and delicately shred using two forks. Introduce uncooked rice into the slow cooker liquid, then reincorporate the shredded chicken. Continue cooking on HIGH for 30-40 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent rice from adhering to the cooker’s surface.
5. Garnishing and Serving: Transfer the completed burrito bowl into serving dishes, embellishing with optional toppings such as shredded cheese, diced avocado, dollops of sour cream, and freshly chopped cilantro.

Notes

• Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking and easier shredding. Avoid overcooking to prevent dry meat.
• Stir rice occasionally to prevent bottom layer from burning or sticking. Use long-grain white rice for best absorption of flavors.
• Swap chicken for plant-based protein like tofu or jackfruit for vegetarian version. Use cauliflower rice for low-carb alternative.
• Add fresh jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat. Squeeze additional lime juice just before serving to brighten overall taste profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 540 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg