I think I’ve made at least 2 million meals since the pandemic started. It seems with 4 people in our house, 3 of whom have been working and schooling from home, that there are never ending meals to be made. And I, for one, am tired of cooking! (I know, I know, I love cooking, but really… SO. MANY. MEALS.) Enter these Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken Bowls, which have saved dinner (and my sanity) many times.
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This past 10 months has been a slog. Although I usually love being at home, eating at home ALL OF THE TIME is starting to wear on me. So many meals to make. And now that we’ve been eating three meals a day at home, leftovers have become so darn important, otherwise I have to figure out something for lunch the next day!
I’m also usually one for making things completely from scratch. But come on, desperate times, desperate measures and all of that. Sometimes you just need simple. And these Southwest Chicken Bowls are that-just dump the few simple, easy to find ingredients into the slow cooker and walk away. Which is about all I have the headspace for right now.
The other great thing about these bowls, is everyone can do their own thing when making them. Add the chicken, fill with whatever accompaniments you like, and top with sour cream, or cilantro, or finely diced red onion, or extra salsa, or all of the above!
Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken Bowls
An easy but delicious weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 15 ounces salsa (I use Tostitos medium salsa, which comes in a 15 ounce jar)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (1.25 ounces) (I use Ortega)
- 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
- lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, shredded cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, sour cream, cilantro for making the bowls
Instructions
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Place chicken breasts on the bottom of a 6 quart slow cooker.
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Pour black beans, taco seasoning, and salsa over the chicken breasts.
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Cook on low for 4 hours or until chicken is done.
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Using 2 forks, shred the chicken in the slow cooker, combining with the beans and salsa as you shred.
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Assemble bowls with southwest chicken and whatever accompaniments you like (lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, shredded cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, sour cream, cilantro)
Recipe Notes
The kcal listed are for one portion of the southwest chicken. Final kcal count will depend on which accompaniments you choose to create your bowl.
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This is an excellent family dinner. Let each person assemble their own bowl to their liking. You’ll be a dinner time hero!
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A few tools for making Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken Bowls!
Slow cookers: This Crock Pot model combines all of my favorite things-the reliability of the Crock Pot brand with the convenience of the “Cook and Carry” lid sealing mechanism (plus, it’s not outrageously expensive). If you have some extra money that is eating a hole in your pocket and desperately want to spend it on a slow cooker, this All Clad model has a stainless steel insert which means it can also be used for browning on the stove, or in the oven (warning, it IS outrageously expensive!). If you have an Instant Pot, it can also be used as a slow cooker by using this lid. (note: I have heard that the Instant Pot does not work as well as a slow cooker, but as I have never tried it, so I would love to hear more from those who have!)
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My goodness, what an incredibly delicious idea! <3
Thank you! I love bowls and these are so, so easy!