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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine chicken, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, chili powder, salt, and cumin in slow cooker, ensuring chicken is fully submerged in liquid.
- Initial Cooking: Cover and set slow cooker to LOW, cooking chicken for 3 to 4 hours until tender and easily shredded.
- Ingredient Integration: Gently fold black beans, rice, and corn kernels into the mixture, distributing evenly throughout the cooking vessel.
- 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.
- Liquid Management: If excess liquid remains when rice reaches desired tenderness, uncover and switch to HIGH setting to reduce liquid concentration.
- Chicken Processing: Extract chicken and meticulously shred into delicate, bite-sized fragments using two forks.
- Final Assembly: Reincorporate shredded chicken into rice mixture, adjusting seasoning with additional spices or salt to enhance flavor profile.
- 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