Simplify dinner with these delicious and easy crockpot chicken burrito bowls, packed with tender chicken, rice, and creamy avocado for a satisfying meal.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep, offering a flavorful and convenient option for the whole family. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers on taste without demanding hours in the kitchen.
Discover the details on how to create these vibrant and hearty bowls that will become a regular in your meal rotation. From the savory chicken to the fluffy rice and fresh avocado, every component comes together for a balanced and incredibly satisfying dish everyone will love.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Easy Crockpot Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Simplify dinner with these delicious and easy crockpot chicken burrito bowls, packed with tender chicken, rice, and creamy avocado for a satisfying meal. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep, offering a flavorful and convenient option for the whole family. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers on taste without demanding hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or line it with a slow cooker liner for easier cleanup. This prevents sticking and makes serving a breeze.
2. Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the prepared slow cooker. Evenly sprinkle the chopped onion over the chicken.
3. Pour in the rinsed and drained black beans, drained corn, and the undrained can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Sprinkle the entire packet of taco seasoning over all the ingredients.
4. Pour the chicken broth over everything in the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir to ensure the seasoning is somewhat distributed, but don’t worry about mixing it perfectly.
5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. The chicken should be very tender and easily shreddable with two forks.
6. Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the bean and corn mixture.
7. To serve, spoon a generous amount of cooked rice into individual bowls. Top the rice with the warm chicken and bean mixture.
8. Garnish each bowl with diced avocado, fresh chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Offer optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, or hot sauce for everyone to customize their own bowl.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low
- Category: main dish
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
Keywords: burrito bowls, chicken, crockpot, slow cooker, easy, weeknight, meal prep, mexican, family friendly, hands-off
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This crockpot chicken burrito bowl recipe is a weeknight savior for so many reasons. First, it’s incredibly hands-off. Once you’ve assembled the ingredients in your slow cooker, you can go about your day and come back to a fully cooked, flavorful meal. This makes it ideal for busy parents, professionals, or anyone looking to minimize active cooking time. Second, it’s a crowd-pleaser. The familiar flavors of a burrito bowl appeal to most palates, and the ability to customize toppings means everyone at the table can build their perfect meal. It’s also a fantastic option for meal prep, as the components store well and can be easily reheated for lunches throughout the week. Serve it for a casual family dinner, a potluck, or even a relaxed gathering with friends.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for these crockpot chicken burrito bowls is straightforward. Most items are pantry staples or easily found at any grocery store. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the robust flavors that emerge from the slow cooking process.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5 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 (Rotel), undrained
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 (1.25-ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice, for serving
- 2 ripe avocados, diced, for serving
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, hot sauce
For simple substitutions, feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for a slightly richer flavor and even more tender texture. If you don’t have diced tomatoes with green chilies, you can use a can of plain diced tomatoes and add a small can of chopped green chilies separately. Any type of rice works well here, whether you prefer white, brown, or even a wild rice blend. For a lower-carb option, you could serve the chicken mixture over cauliflower rice.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
The beauty of a crockpot recipe is how little active time it demands. While the cooking time is several hours, your hands-on effort is minimal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (depending on cook setting)
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating these flavorful crockpot chicken burrito bowls is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or line it with a slow cooker liner for easier cleanup. This prevents sticking and makes serving a breeze.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the prepared slow cooker. Evenly sprinkle the chopped onion over the chicken.
- Add Canned Goods and Seasoning: Pour in the rinsed and drained black beans, drained corn, and the undrained can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Sprinkle the entire packet of taco seasoning over all the ingredients.
- Add Liquid: Pour the chicken broth over everything in the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir to ensure the seasoning is somewhat distributed, but don’t worry about mixing it perfectly.
- Cook Until Tender: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. The chicken should be very tender and easily shreddable with two forks.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the bean and corn mixture.
- Assemble the Bowls: To serve, spoon a generous amount of cooked rice into individual bowls. Top the rice with the warm chicken and bean mixture.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish each bowl with diced avocado, fresh chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Offer optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, or hot sauce for everyone to customize their own bowl.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
These crockpot chicken burrito bowls are wonderfully versatile, making them perfect for any occasion and adaptable to different tastes. For a kid-friendly twist, you can serve the chicken mixture alongside tortilla chips for dipping, or even spoon it into soft tortillas to make mini burritos. Kids often love building their own meals, so setting out a “burrito bowl bar” with various toppings can be a big hit.
If you’re looking to add more vegetables, consider stirring in some frozen bell pepper strips or a bag of frozen mixed vegetables during the last hour of cooking. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or an extra can of diced green chilies. You can also swap out the chicken for ground turkey or even a plant-based ground “meat” alternative for a vegetarian option; just brown it first before adding to the slow cooker.
For party or buffet serving, keep the chicken and bean mixture warm in the slow cooker and set out separate bowls of cooked rice, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa. This allows guests to create their own personalized burrito bowls, making hosting a breeze. Other great optional toppings include pickled jalapeños, crumbled cotija cheese, or a drizzle of chipotle ranch dressing.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple recipe like crockpot burrito bowls, a few common mistakes can impact the final result. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect bowls every time.
One frequent slip-up is overfilling the slow cooker. While it might seem efficient to pack in as many ingredients as possible, an overfilled slow cooker can lead to uneven cooking and a longer cooking time. Aim to fill your slow cooker no more than two-thirds full.
Another common issue is not rinsing the black beans. Canned black beans often come in a liquid that can be quite starchy and salty. Rinsing and draining them thoroughly removes excess sodium and improves the overall flavor and texture of your dish.
Cooking the chicken for too long can also be a pitfall, especially on the high setting. While chicken breasts are forgiving, they can become dry if left in the slow cooker for an excessive amount of time. Follow the recommended cooking times and check for doneness by ensuring the chicken shreds easily.
Finally, forgetting to stir the mixture after shredding the chicken can result in unevenly distributed flavors. Make sure to mix the shredded chicken back into the bean and corn mixture thoroughly so each spoonful of your burrito bowl is packed with flavor.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
These crockpot chicken burrito bowls are fantastic for meal prep and storing leftovers. To store, allow the chicken and bean mixture to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cooked rice should also be stored separately in an airtight container for the best texture, lasting about the same amount of time.
When it comes to reheating, you can warm the chicken and bean mixture in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. Reheat the rice separately in the microwave with a splash of water to help it steam and become fluffy again. Avoid reheating the avocado, as it tends to brown and become mushy. It’s best to add fresh avocado just before serving.
For make-ahead convenience, you can assemble the chicken, onion, beans, corn, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and broth in the slow cooker insert the night before, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator. In the morning, simply place the insert into the slow cooker base and begin cooking. This cuts down on morning prep time significantly.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts. However, you will need to increase the cooking time by approximately 1-2 hours on either setting to ensure they cook through completely. It’s generally best to start with thawed chicken for more consistent results.
What kind of rice is best for serving?
Any cooked rice
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
