Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you love meals that feel like a big warm hug — and that’s exactly why you’re going to adore this Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe. It’s a hands-off, flavor-packed dish that fills your home with the most inviting aromas all day long. Plus, it’s one of those recipes that’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress friends without standing over the stove for hours.
What makes this Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe truly special is how everything comes together in the slow cooker, infusing the chicken with all those vibrant spices, salsa, and veggies in the most effortless way. Oh, and adding the rice at the end is a game-changer—it keeps the rice perfectly tender without turning mushy, which I’ve learned the hard way in other slow cooker recipes. You’re definitely going to want to try this out!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe works in harmony, building layers of flavor and texture. Plus, they’re mostly pantry staples and easy to find at the store, making this an accessible meal any night of the week.
- Sweet onion: Adds a mild, natural sweetness and depth to your filling. I like to dice it small so it blends nicely.
- Green bell pepper: Brings a subtle crunch and fresh note; it doesn’t get mushy thanks to the long slow cook.
- Pinto beans: Packed with protein and fiber, they give extra heartiness; make sure to rinse and drain them well.
- Cilantro: Tossed in fresh at the start, it brightens up the mixture with its zesty, herbal punch.
- Salt and pepper: Your basic seasonings that balance and enhance all the other flavors.
- Chili powder: Gives just the right southwestern kick without overpowering; adjust if you want it spicier.
- Cumin: Earthy and warm, it’s one of the true soul spices of any burrito filling.
- Salsa: The juicy base that ties everything together with tang and a touch of sweetness.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: They shred beautifully after slow cooking, soaking in the flavorful sauce.
- Minute® rice: This nifty addition cooks quickly at the end, absorbing all those delicious juices without getting mushy.
- Tortillas, cheese, sour cream, extra salsa: For serving — feel free to customize these based on your family’s favorites!
Variations
Honestly, one of the best parts about this Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe is how easy it is to tweak—make it your own! Over the years, I’ve played around with different tweaks depending on what I had in the pantry or what my family was craving.
- Use chicken thighs: For juicier, more flavorful meat, swap chicken breasts with thighs; they shred just as nicely.
- Swap in black beans: Pinto beans are great, but black beans add a nice color contrast and slightly different texture.
- Make it low-carb: Skip the rice and load up on extra veggies or serve over cauliflower rice.
- Spice it up: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne if you like things hotter—I added this once and my husband loved the kick!
- Use pre-made taco seasoning: Shortcut alert! You can replace cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper with your favorite seasoning blend for convenience.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe
Step 1: Layer Your Veggies and Beans
Start by tossing diced onion, green bell pepper, pinto beans, and chopped cilantro directly into your slow cooker. Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin, then pour the salsa over everything. Give it a good stir so all the ingredients are evenly mixed—this helps the flavors meld beautifully while cooking.
Step 2: Add Chicken and Slow Cook
Lay your chicken breasts right on top of the veggie and salsa mixture, making sure they’re slightly covered by the sauce—this keeps them from drying out and allows them to soak up so much flavor. Pop the lid on and set your slow cooker to LOW for 6 hours. Resist the urge to peek too often; keeping the lid closed traps heat and cooks the chicken perfectly tender.
Step 3: Shred Chicken and Stir in Rice
After 6 hours, open up the slow cooker and shred the chicken right in the pot using two forks—it’ll fall apart easily. Then, stir the uncooked Minute® rice into the mixture, making sure it’s evenly distributed. This last step is the trick to perfectly cooked rice that doesn’t turn mushy.
Step 4: Finish Cooking and Serve
Replace the lid and bump the slow cooker up to HIGH for about 20 minutes to let the rice absorb all those delicious flavors. Depending on your slow cooker, you might need to cook it a bit longer if it switches to “warm” early. Once that’s done, it’s time to scoop your burrito filling onto warmed tortillas!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe
Garnishes
For me, the right garnishes take this filling from great to unforgettable. I love topping my burritos with shredded sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, a dollop of cool sour cream, fresh salsa, and a sprinkle of extra chopped cilantro. Sometimes I even add some sliced avocado or a squeeze of lime for a zesty finish.
Side Dishes
I usually serve this filling with a side of Mexican rice and maybe some refried beans to round things out. A simple mixed greens salad dressed with a tangy cilantro-lime vinaigrette is also a refreshing accompaniment if you want something lighter.
Creative Ways to Present
For family gatherings, I’ve made a fun burrito bar with multiple toppings laid out and guests can build their own—super fun and no one feels limited. Another favorite trick of mine is to bake the burritos after assembling for a crispy outside and melty cheesy inside. It’s a definite crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe in airtight containers in the fridge, where it lasts beautifully for about 3-4 days. It’s perfect for quick lunches or an easy dinner the next night when you don’t feel like cooking.
Freezing
This filling freezes really well! I portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to use it, I thaw overnight in the fridge for easy reheating the next day.
Reheating
To reheat, I usually warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to keep the rice and chicken moist. You can also microwave individual portions covered lightly with a damp paper towel to retain texture.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts in this recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great substitution if you prefer meat that’s a bit more tender and flavorful. Just like breasts, they shred easily after slow cooking and soak up the spices nicely.
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Why do I add the rice at the end of cooking?
Adding the uncooked rice at the end ensures it cooks just right without getting mushy. If you add it at the beginning with the rest of the ingredients, it tends to overcook and turn gluey because the slow cooker runs for several hours.
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Can I make this Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe spicier?
Yes! You can add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne powder, or even a few dashes of hot sauce to taste. I recommend adding spicy ingredients gradually and tasting as you go to avoid overwhelming the other flavors.
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How do I know when the rice is fully cooked?
The rice should be tender and have absorbed the mixture’s liquid. If your slow cooker switches to warm before the rice is done, simply cook it a bit longer on high, checking every 5-10 minutes to prevent overcooking.
Final Thoughts
I’ve made the Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe countless times, and it never disappoints. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a little gift to yourself after a busy day — cozy, comforting, and completely fuss-free. I can’t recommend it enough if you want a flavorful meal that’s easy to prep ahead and feeds a crowd with smiles all around. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll have a go-to slow cooker dinner you’ll reach for over and over.
Print
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Filling is a flavorful, easy-to-make recipe perfect for a busy day. Tender chicken breasts simmer with bell peppers, onions, beans, and a blend of spices, then combined with rice for a hearty filling. Serve in warm tortillas with cheese, sour cream, and salsa for a satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 cup sweet onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
Beans & Grains
- 15 oz pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups Minute® rice, uncooked
Spices
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin
Proteins & Dairy
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (can use thighs as substitute)
Other
- 16 oz salsa
- Tortillas, for serving
- Cheese, for topping
- Sour cream, for topping
- Salsa, for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the base ingredients: Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, drained pinto beans, chopped cilantro, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and salsa into the slow cooker. Mix well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Add the chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts on top of the mixed ingredients, ensuring they are slightly covered by the salsa mixture to promote even cooking.
- Start slow cooking: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the LOW setting for 6 hours. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to retain heat and ensure thorough cooking.
- Shred the chicken: After 6 hours, uncover the slow cooker and shred the cooked chicken breasts using two forks, mixing the shredded chicken into the filling to distribute the flavors.
- Add and cook the rice: Stir in the uncooked Minute® rice thoroughly into the mixture, ensuring even distribution. Replace the lid and cook on HIGH for an additional 20 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb flavors and cook fully. If the slow cooker switches to warm too soon, continue cooking until the rice is fully tender.
- Serve: Spoon the finished chicken burrito filling onto warmed tortillas and top with your choice of cheese, sour cream, salsa, and other desired toppings to enjoy a delicious burrito experience.
Notes
- If your slow cooker switches to the warm setting before the rice is fully cooked, simply allow additional cooking time to ensure the rice reaches the proper texture.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts if you prefer a juicier filling.
- You can use pre-made taco seasoning instead of the individual spices (cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper) for convenience and added flavor variation.
- For more fiber and nutrition, consider using brown rice instead of Minute® rice, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
Keywords: slow cooker chicken burrito filling, easy chicken burrito recipe, slow cooker Mexican chicken, chicken burrito slow cooker, crockpot chicken burrito filling
