Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls – Easy, Flavor-Packed, and Meal-Prep Friendly

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Author: Adam
Published:

🎉 Introduction
These Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it dinner. Juicy chicken cooks low and slow with bold taco spices, becoming perfectly tender and shreddable. Served over fluffy rice with fresh toppings, this bowl is comforting, customizable, and ideal for busy days.

Whether you’re planning weeknight dinners or meal prep bowls, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort—and your slow cooker does most of the work.


🧰 Equipment Needed

  • Slow cooker (4–6 quart)
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Forks (for shredding)
  • Saucepan or rice cooker

🛒 Ingredients

Chicken Base

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Flavor & Sauce

  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Bowl Components

  • 3 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels

Fresh Toppings (Optional)

  • Diced tomatoes
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Sliced green onions
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Lime wedges
  • Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

These ingredients create tender, juicy taco chicken bowls with bold, comforting flavor.


👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Add to Slow Cooker

  • Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
  • Drizzle with olive oil.
  • Sprinkle taco seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper over the chicken.

Step 2: Add Liquids

  • Pour salsa and chicken broth over the chicken.
  • Gently stir to coat.

Step 3: Slow Cook

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

  • Remove chicken and shred with two forks.
  • Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to soak up the sauce.

Step 5: Warm Bowl Add-Ins

  • Stir in black beans and corn.
  • Cover and cook for an additional 10–15 minutes until warmed through.

Step 6: Assemble Bowls

  • Divide cooked rice among bowls.
  • Top with taco chicken mixture.
  • Add fresh toppings as desired.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

  • Servings: 6
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6–7 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
  • Total Time: Mostly hands-off

🧊 Storage & Reheating

  • Store chicken and rice separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
  • Add a splash of broth if needed to keep the chicken juicy.

🥄 Variations

  • Low-Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice.
  • Spicy: Use hot salsa or add extra chili seasoning.
  • Creamy: Stir in a spoon of plain yogurt before serving.
  • Veggie Boost: Add diced bell peppers or zucchini near the end.
  • Protein Swap: Use chicken thighs for extra richness.

10 FAQs

  1. Can I use frozen chicken?
    Yes, increase cook time slightly and ensure it cooks through.
  2. Is this dish spicy?
    Mild to medium, depending on the salsa.
  3. Can I make it ahead?
    Yes, it’s perfect for meal prep.
  4. Does the chicken dry out?
    No, slow cooking keeps it tender and juicy.
  5. Can kids eat this?
    Yes—use mild seasoning.
  6. Can I double the recipe?
    Yes, if your slow cooker is large enough.
  7. Is this gluten-free?
    Check your taco seasoning to be sure.
  8. Can I skip the beans?
    Yes, the chicken is great on its own.
  9. What rice works best?
    White, brown, or cilantro-style rice.
  10. Can I freeze the chicken?
    Yes, freeze for up to 2 months.

🏁 Conclusion
These Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls are an easy, satisfying meal with bold flavor and endless topping options—perfect for stress-free dinners and weekly meal prep.

Adam

Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls – Easy, Flavor-Packed, and Meal-Prep Friendly

These Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it dinner. Juicy chicken cooks low and slow with bold taco spices, becoming perfectly tender and shreddable. Served over fluffy rice with fresh toppings, this bowl is comforting, customizable, and ideal for busy days. Whether you’re planning weeknight dinners or meal prep bowls, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort—and your slow cooker does most of the work.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Chicken Base
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Flavor & Sauce
  • 1 packet taco seasoning or homemade
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Bowl Components
  • 3 cups cooked rice white or brown
  • 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels
Fresh Toppings (Optional)
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Sliced green onions
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Lime wedges
  • Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • These ingredients create tender juicy taco chicken bowls with bold, comforting flavor.

Equipment

  • Slow cooker (4–6 quart)
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Forks (for shredding)
  • Saucepan or rice cooker

Method
 

Step 1: Add to Slow Cooker
  1. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Sprinkle taco seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper over the chicken.
Step 2: Add Liquids
  1. Pour salsa and chicken broth over the chicken.
  2. Gently stir to coat.
Step 3: Slow Cook
  1. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
  1. Remove chicken and shred with two forks.
  2. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to soak up the sauce.
Step 5: Warm Bowl Add-Ins
  1. Stir in black beans and corn.
  2. Cover and cook for an additional 10–15 minutes until warmed through.
Step 6: Assemble Bowls
  1. Divide cooked rice among bowls.
  2. Top with taco chicken mixture.
  3. Add fresh toppings as desired.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Store chicken and rice separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Add a splash of broth if needed to keep the chicken juicy.
🥄 Variations
Low-Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice.
Spicy: Use hot salsa or add extra chili seasoning.
Creamy: Stir in a spoon of plain yogurt before serving.
Veggie Boost: Add diced bell peppers or zucchini near the end.
Protein Swap: Use chicken thighs for extra richness.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, increase cook time slightly and ensure it cooks through.
Is this dish spicy?
Mild to medium, depending on the salsa.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, it’s perfect for meal prep.
Does the chicken dry out?
No, slow cooking keeps it tender and juicy.
Can kids eat this?
Yes—use mild seasoning.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, if your slow cooker is large enough.
Is this gluten-free?
Check your taco seasoning to be sure.
Can I skip the beans?
Yes, the chicken is great on its own.
What rice works best?
White, brown, or cilantro-style rice.
Can I freeze the chicken?
Yes, freeze for up to 2 months.
🏁 Conclusion
These Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls are an easy, satisfying meal with bold flavor and endless topping options—perfect for stress-free dinners and weekly meal prep.
ADEM Recipes

Hi there! I’m Adem, the chef and creator behind Adem Recipes. Cooking has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I’ve dedicated my life to exploring flavors, experimenting with new dishes, and sharing my love of food with others.

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