Description
Mexican-inspired slow cooker chicken burrito bowl delivers a flavor-packed meal that simplifies dinner with minimal prep and maximum satisfaction. Layers of tender chicken, hearty rice, and zesty toppings create a delicious one-pot wonder you can easily customize for a crowd-pleasing dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
Beans and Vegetables:
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can corn, drained
- 1 (10 ounces / 283 grams) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
Spices and Liquids:
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup long-grain white or brown rice (uncooked)
Toppings:
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare the foundational layer by nestling chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a protein-rich base.
- Cascade black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and salsa over the chicken, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Generously dust the layers with a vibrant blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper for a robust flavor profile.
- Drizzle fresh lime juice across the ingredients to infuse a bright, citrusy undertone.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the mixture to simmer gently on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until the chicken becomes fork-tenderly succulent.
- Extract the chicken and delicately pull it apart using two forks, transforming it into delectable, tender strands.
- Introduce uncooked rice directly into the simmering liquid, stirring to integrate the grains thoroughly.
- Reintegrate the shredded chicken into the rice mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Cover and continue cooking on HIGH for 30-40 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent rice from adhering to the cooker’s bottom.
- Once rice reaches perfect tenderness, transfer the burrito bowl contents into serving vessels.
- Embellish with optional garnishes like melted cheese, creamy avocado, tangy sour cream, and fresh cilantro sprigs.
- Serve immediately and savor the harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Chicken Selection Matters: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the most tender and easily shreddable meat, ensuring a perfect texture in your burrito bowl.
- Spice Customization: Adjust the spice blend to your taste preferences by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili powder and cumin, creating a personalized flavor profile.
- Rice Pro Tip: Rinse the uncooked rice before adding to the slow cooker to remove excess starch and prevent clumping, resulting in perfectly fluffy rice.
- Dietary Modifications: Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free salsa and checking that all seasonings are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
- 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: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg