Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls

This taco chicken bowls recipe is definitely “slow-cooker 101”. It’s probably one of the first recipes that most people learn to make in their slow-cooker. In fact, some version of Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls is probably included in that little mini recipe book that comes with the slow-cooker when you buy it. BUT, I had to post it because I know there are probably a lot of you who haven’t made it yet and I can’t bear the thought of you missing out.

Recipe, prices, and photos updated 8/27/16

More Slow Cooker Dinners: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala, Slow Cooker Italian Chicken and Peppers, Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, and Slow Cooker Rosemary Garlic Beef Stew.

Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls

Set it and forget it…

Taco Chicken Bowls are great for bachelors, students, or the chronically busy because it’s a “dump and heat” recipe. All you do is dump all of the ingredients together in a pot, and let it cook.

How to Serve Taco Chicken Bowls

Of course you’ll need to make the rice separate but even if you’re one of those people who can never get rice right, there is still hope. Just stuff the chicken mixture inside of a tortilla with a little cheese and roll it up for a quick burrito, or fold it over in a tortilla and crisp it up in a skillet like a quesadilla. Presto. Easy, delicious, cheap food.

Taco Chicken Bowls are Freezer Friendly

Oh, also, this taco chicken bowls recipe freezes well. Cheese and all. Then just nuke and stir for a couple minutes until hot. Instant freezer meal!

What Size Slow Cooker Should I Use?

I use a 6 quart Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker (affiliate link) and this recipe fills it about half way. I would suggest using a 4-quart or larger slow cooker.

Okay, one more thing. If you for some strange reason need this taco chicken bowls recipe to be even easier or you don’t have a well stocked spice cabinet, just substitute a packet of taco seasoning for all of the spices and herbs that I used below.

Print Recipe 4.86 from 167 votes Taco Chicken Bowls Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls are the ultimate "set it and forget it" easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love. Author: Beth - Budget Bytes Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 8 hrs Total Time: 8 hrs 10 mins Servings: 6 (1 cup chicken mixture, 1 cup rice, plus toppings) Ingredients 1 1/2 lbs. chicken breasts ($2.60*)

1 16oz. jar salsa ($2.15)

2 cloves garlic, minced ($0.16)

1 15oz. can black beans ($0.69)

1/2 lb. frozen corn ($0.73)

1 Tbsp chili powder ($0.30)

1/2 Tbsp ground cumin ($0.15)

1/2 tsp dried oregano ($0.05)

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper ($0.03)

Freshly cracked black pepper ($0.03)

6 cups cooked rice ($0.60)

8 oz. shredded cheddar ($2.59)

3 green onions, sliced (or fresh cilantro) ($0.23) Instructions Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 5 quart or larger slow cooker. Drain the black beans and add them to the slow cooker along with the salsa and corn. Add 1/4 cup water, plus the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, some freshly cracked pepper (about 10-15 cranks of a pepper mill).

Give the ingredients a brief stir to distribute the spices. Secure the lid on your slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

After 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high, carefully remove the lid of the slow cooker. Stir with a fork to shred the chicken (it should be very tender and will shred easily). Taste the chicken mixture and add salt if needed.

To build the bowls, place one cup of rice in the bottom of a bowl and top with 1 cup of the shredded chicken mixture. Top with a little cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of sliced green onions. Notes *I buy my chicken breasts on sale and freeze them until I'm ready to use them. See how we calculate recipe costs here. Tried this recipe? Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram! Nutrition Serving: 1 Cup ・ Calories: 724.87 kcal ・ Carbohydrates: 78.8 g ・ Protein: 50.87 g ・ Fat: 22.87 g ・ Sodium: 1827.1 mg ・ Fiber: 11.78 g Nutritional values are estimates only. See our full nutrition disclosure here. Equipment Slow Cooker Measuring Cups Spoons The equipment section above contains affiliate links to products we use and love. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This is definitely one of my favorite meals to keep in the freezer for busy days!

How to Make Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls – Step by Step Photos

Place two large chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs.) in the bottom of a slow cooker. I always buy my chicken breasts in large packs on sale, then individually wrap and freeze them for later.

Drain one 15oz. can of black beans and add them to the slow cooker along with a 16oz. jar of salsa and 1/2 pound of frozen corn (no need to thaw the corn first–the small kernels thaw quickly once the slow cooker is turned on. Do not, however, use frozen chicken breasts because they may take too long to come up to a safe temperature in the slow cooker.)

I usually just use a generic salsa for this dish, but I like generic salsa just fine. The type of salsa you use will greatly impact the flavor the of the overall dish, so make sure you use one that you like. This time around I found a “fire roasted” generic salsa, so I got that for a little extra smokey flavor. :)

Add 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 Tbsp chili powder (mild), 1/2 Tbsp cumin, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and some freshly cracked pepper (about 10-15 cranks of a pepper mill).

Add about 1/4 cup water to help the ingredients combine when you stir. Briefly stir to distribute the spices.

Secure the lid on your slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or low for eight hours. This is after 4 hours on high–doesn’t look much different!

BUT by this time the chicken is SO tender that just stirring the mixture will make it fall apart. Stir the pot or use two forks to shred the chicken.

When all the chicken is shredded it’s time to eat! You can taste the mixture and add salt if needed (this will depend on the salt content of your beans and salsa. I didn’t add any this time.)



To build the taco chicken bowls, place one cup cooked rice in the bottom of a bowl and top it with one cup of the chicken mixture. Sprinkle a little shredded cheddar cheese on top followed by a few sliced green onions. Done! How easy is that?

Or you can eat the Taco Chicken Bowls not as a bowl, but as an actual taco. Just stuff the chicken mixture into a tortilla, top with cheese or sour cream, and you’re good to go!