Name: Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 4 h 10 min
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2-2.5 lbs skinless boneless chicken breast; 16 oz chunky salsa; 1/3 cup BRIANNAS Cilantro Lime Dressing + more as drizzle; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1/2 tsp chili powder; 1/2 tsp cumin; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 4 cups cooked rice; 2 cups frozen sweet corn; 1 16oz canned black beans, low sodium; 3 small avocados; 1/4 cup chopped cilantro; 1 lime

If you’re looking for a comforting meal that’s flavor-packed, customizable, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, the Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl is your answer. Tender shredded chicken gets slow-cooked to perfection in a zesty salsa-based sauce, then layered with warm rice, velvety black beans, sweet corn, creamy avocado, and a handful of garnishes—plus a zippy drizzle of cilantro lime dressing. It’s an easy dinner for busy weeknights, meal prep stunner, or even a casual gathering centerpiece where everyone builds their own bowl just the way they like it!

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things wonderfully simple, drawing on ingredients that shine both separately and together. Each element adds a hit of color, taste, or texture, creating a vibrant and satisfying Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl you’ll crave again and again.

Chicken Breast: The heart of the recipe—skinless, boneless chicken breast becomes juicy and tender after slow cooking, ideal for shredding.
Chunky Salsa: Brings moisture, tomatoes, onions, and just the right punch of flavor without extra chopping.
BRIANNAS Cilantro Lime Dressing: Adds a tangy zip to both the cooking sauce and as a finishing drizzle—don’t skip it for that signature taste!
Chicken Broth: Helps keep everything moist and flavorful as it simmers.
Chili Powder, Cumin, Smoked Paprika: These three classic spices blend for a gentle heat and earthy smokiness in the chicken.
Rice: Forms the hearty, fluffy base of every bowl. White, brown, or even cauliflower rice all work here.
Frozen Sweet Corn: Adds golden pops of sweetness, simply heated before serving for max ease.
Black Beans: Canned, low-sodium beans offer protein, creaminess, and a rich earthy depth.
Avocados: Sliced or diced, they bring luscious creaminess and cooling balance to the spices.
Cilantro: Fresh, chopped cilantro brings a burst of herbal brightness that wakes up each bite.
Lime: Wedges on the side turn every bowl totally fresh and lively with a quick squeeze before eating.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl

Step 1: Slow Cook the Chicken

Start by gathering all the “Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken” ingredients: chicken breast, chunky salsa, cilantro lime dressing, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Layer everything into your slow cooker, nestling the chicken down so it’s mostly covered in sauce. Set it on high for 4 hours—the aroma as it bubbles away is worth the wait!

Step 2: Shred the Chicken and Rest

After the cook time, the chicken should shred effortlessly with two forks. Give it a good mix right in the slow cooker, ensuring it soaks up every drop of that flavorful sauce. Let it rest and keep warm for about 10 more minutes, letting the flavors really marry. Taste and adjust salt if needed (most salsa and broth are salty enough already).

Step 3: Prep the Bowl Ingredients

While the chicken finishes up, cook your rice (use a rice cooker, stovetop, or even heat up a pre-cooked packet if you’re in a rush). Warm the corn and black beans in the microwave until steamy, roughly chop some fresh cilantro, slice the avocados, and cut a lime into wedges. Having everything ready means bowl assembly is a breeze.

Step 4: Assemble Each Burrito Bowl

Get ready for the fun part! Start with a generous scoop of rice in each bowl, add a mound of juicy shredded chicken, and then scatter on black beans and corn. Top with avocado chunks, a sprinkle of cilantro, and arrange a lime wedge on the side. The grand finale: a generous drizzle of BRIANNAS Cilantro Lime Dressing to tie it all together.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Bring your bowls to the table and serve immediately while everything’s hot and fresh. Encourage everyone to give their bowl a big squeeze of lime and that final swirl of dressing—then dig in!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl

Garnishes

The right finishing touches make a huge difference! A shower of fresh cilantro, lime wedges for squeezing, maybe a little extra salsa or dressing, and a scatter of shredded cheese if you love it—all these simple garnishes add color and kick, making your Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl as pretty as it is tasty.

Side Dishes

Though these bowls make a hearty, complete meal, you can pair them with crispy tortilla chips, a crunchy green salad, or sweet plantains for a little something extra. Don’t forget a chilled agua fresca or sparkling lime water on the side to keep everything balanced and refreshing.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’ve got guests or picky eaters, put out all the toppings in little bowls and let everyone build their own Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl. For a different spin, wrap all the components in warm tortillas to make burritos, or stuff the filling into bell pepper halves and bake for a truly show-stopping twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover chicken, rice, beans, and toppings in separate airtight containers in the fridge. This not only keeps everything fresh but also makes it easier to warm and assemble another bowl later in the week.

Freezing

This Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl is totally freezer-friendly! Store the shredded chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Rice and beans freeze well, too—just portion them out before freezing. For best quality, freeze avocados separately (or add fresh when serving) and skip garnishing until you’re ready to eat.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions of chicken, rice, corn, and beans in the microwave or on the stovetop until piping hot. Add fresh avocado, herbs, and dressing once everything else is warmed to keep all those bright flavors and creamy textures at their best.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are super juicy and work beautifully in this Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl. They’ll be just as tender and flavorful after slow cooking, and may need tiny bit less time to shred easily.

How spicy is this recipe?

The heat factor totally depends on your salsa and how much chili powder you add. Choose mild salsa for a gentle warmth, or kick it up with hot salsa and a pinch more chili if your crowd loves spice!

Can I make Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl ahead for meal prep?

Definitely. This dish was made for meal prepping! Keep cooked chicken, rice, and toppings in separate containers and assemble fresh bowls throughout the week for easy lunches or dinners.

What can I substitute for the Cilantro Lime Dressing?

If you can’t find BRIANNAS or prefer to DIY, simply whisk together olive oil, lime juice, chopped cilantro, plus a pinch of garlic and salt until creamy. It’s a lovely homemade swap for that signature tangy flavor.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Swap out the chicken for roasted cauliflower, jackfruit, or even more black beans, and keep the seasonings and dressing the same. You’ll still get all the bright, bold flavor in every bowl!

Final Thoughts

If you want to transform dinner into something both effortless and exciting, you can’t do better than the Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl. It’s full of flavor, endlessly customizable, and always a hit—so gather your ingredients and let your slow cooker work its magic. I promise, this is one recipe you’ll come back to again and again!

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe