Hassle-Free Slow Burrito Bowls Recipe for Cozy Nights

Weeknight dinners demand something quick and delectable, and these zesty slow burrito bowls deliver a mouthwatering experience that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Packed with robust flavors and tender ingredients, this recipe promises a culinary adventure that beats takeout any day.

The magic happens when you combine perfectly seasoned proteins with fresh, vibrant toppings.

Each component brings its own personality to the bowl, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Bold spices intermingle with hearty beans and succulent meats, turning a simple meal into a fiesta on your plate.

Clean-up is a breeze, and the slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting while you go about your day.

Dive into this irresistible meal that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6-8 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 7

Slow Burrito Bowl Base Ingredients

• Chicken: Provides tender, protein-packed foundation for the burrito bowl, selecting fresh or high-quality boneless cuts ensures maximum flavor and texture.

• Diced Tomatoes, Chicken Broth: Create rich, zesty liquid base that tenderizes chicken and infuses deep southwestern taste.
• Chili Powder, Cumin, Salt: Deliver bold, authentic mexican-inspired seasoning that transforms ordinary ingredients into vibrant, mouthwatering dish.

• Black Beans, Rice, Corn: Add substantial texture, nutritional balance, and classic southwestern comfort, selecting organic or locally sourced varieties boosts overall recipe quality.

Slow Cooker Essentials You’ll Need

• Slow Cooker (2 1/2- to 3 1/2-quart): Essential for cooking the entire dish with minimal effort.
• Two Forks: Perfect for shredding the chicken into tender, bite-sized pieces.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add chili powder, salt, and cumin.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures precise amounts of chicken broth, beans, rice, and corn.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and checking rice consistency during cooking.

Layering & Cooking for Maximum Flavor

• Slow Cooker Setup

Toss chicken, tomatoes, broth, and spices into your slow cooker, ensuring the chicken is fully submerged. This creates a flavor-packed base for your delicious burrito bowl adventure.

• Initial Cooking Cycle

Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 3-4 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and absorb all the incredible spices.

• Final Ingredient Integration

Stir in beans, rice, and corn, continuing to cook on low for another 3-4 hours. Keep an eye on the rice, adding extra broth if needed to prevent drying out.

• Chicken Transformation

Gently shred the chicken using two forks, creating perfect bite-sized pieces that will blend beautifully with the rice mixture.

• Flavor Finishing

Taste your creation and adjust seasonings to ensure every spoonful is packed with mouthwatering goodness. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade burrito bowl feast.

Ways to Switch Up the Beans, Rice, or Protein

• Swap chili powder with chipotle powder or add jalapeños for extra heat and a smoky kick.
• Replace chicken with ground beef, pork, or turkey for a different flavor profile and variety in your meal rotation.
• Toss in extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach during the last hour of cooking to increase nutritional value and add vibrant colors.
• Sprinkle shredded cheddar, monterey jack, or crumbled queso fresco on top. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, diced avocado, or a dollop of sour cream for added texture and freshness.

Burrito Bowl Serving Ideas (No Tortilla Needed)

• Fiesta-Style Side Plating: Create a vibrant presentation by arranging the slow-cooked burrito bowl ingredients in colorful sections on a large platter, allowing each guest to customize their own serving with fresh toppings like diced avocado, chopped cilantro, and sour cream.
• Fresh Garnish Explosion: Sprinkle crisp lettuce, crumbled queso fresco, and sliced jalapeños over the top to add multiple textures and enhance the dish's visual appeal while providing extra layers of flavor and crunch.
• Southwest Accompaniment Boost: Serve alongside warm tortillas, crispy tortilla chips, or fresh cornbread to give diners additional options for scooping and enjoying the hearty burrito bowl mixture, transforming the meal into an interactive dining experience.
• Zesty Condiment Station: Set up a small tray with hot sauces, salsa verde, lime wedges, and homemade pico de gallo, enabling everyone to personalize their plate and adjust spice levels according to individual preferences.

Storage Tips for Meal-Prep Friendly Portions

• Smart Portion Control: Divide the burrito bowl mixture into individual meal-prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches during busy workweeks. Perfect for keeping portions consistent and nutritional balance in check.
• Fridge Fresh Storage: Store cooked burrito bowls in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep rice and chicken separate from toppings like fresh cilantro or sour cream to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
• Freezer Friendly Hack: Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture.
• Quick Reheat Strategy: When reheating refrigerated burrito bowls, sprinkle a few tablespoons of chicken broth before warming to restore the original moisture and prevent dry, tough chicken. Stir midway through heating to distribute warmth evenly and maintain delicious flavors.

Hearty Burrito Bowls Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired slow burrito bowls deliver complex layers of flavor from tender shredded chicken, black beans, and zesty salsa. Home cooks can assemble this hearty meal with minimal preparation, enjoying a satisfying dinner that brings restaurant quality to their kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 to 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or a mix
• 1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup uncooked brown rice
• 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• shredded cheese
• chopped cilantro
• sour cream
• diced avocado
• salsa
• hot sauce
• diced green onions
• shredded lettuce

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine chicken, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, chili powder, salt, and cumin in slow cooker, ensuring chicken is fully submerged in liquid.
2. Initial Cooking: Cover and set slow cooker to LOW, cooking chicken for 3 to 4 hours until tender and easily shredded.
3. Ingredient Integration: Gently fold black beans, rice, and corn kernels into the mixture, distributing evenly throughout the cooking vessel.
4. Final Cooking Stage: Continue cooking on LOW setting for additional 3 to 4 hours, periodically stirring to prevent rice from sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
5. Liquid Management: If excess liquid remains when rice reaches desired tenderness, uncover and switch to HIGH setting to reduce liquid concentration.
6. Chicken Processing: Extract chicken and meticulously shred into delicate, bite-sized fragments using two forks.
7. Final Assembly: Reincorporate shredded chicken into rice mixture, adjusting seasoning with additional spices or salt to enhance flavor profile.
8. Serving: Present hot, adorned with optional garnishes like fresh cilantro, dollop of sour cream, or elegant avocado slices.

Notes

• Optimize Chicken Cooking: Ensure chicken is fully submerged in liquid for tender, flavorful meat that shreds easily.
• Monitor Rice Moisture: Check liquid levels periodically to prevent dry or undercooked rice, adding extra broth if needed.
• Prevent Sticking Technique: Stir contents during final cooking hour to avoid rice clumping and ensure even distribution of ingredients.
• Customize Seasoning: Taste and adjust spices near end of cooking for personalized flavor profile that suits your palate.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-8 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 12 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg