Crockpot Mexican Chicken Burrito Bowls

Flavor-packed Chicken Burrito Bowls are a fun and flexible meal for the entire family. This recipe is extra easy with some help from the crockpot. But it’s the toppings that make these Mexican rice bowls completely customizable for different tastes and dietary needs, as well as extra delicious!

Made a big batch of the chicken? Use the leftovers to make Baked Chicken Tacos or Chicken Enchiladas!

Why You’ll Love These Chicken Burrito Bowls

We love a mix-and-match meal in my house. Sometimes it’s meats and cheeses and fruits and veggies for a charcuterie board. Other times I will gather all the odds and ends from the fridge, make homemade salad dressing, pile lettuce on everyone’s plate, and then tell them to make their own salad.

That’s why we are big fans of burrito bowls, which you may have seen at Chipotle. But in case you haven’t, a burrito bowl takes everything you love about burritos but skips the tortilla, turning it into a meal in a bowl. You’ll usually find spiced up chicken, beef, beans, or veggies piled on top of rice, but it’s the toppings that allow you to get creative with your Mexican rice bowls. Here’s why you’ll love making your own at home…

• Slow cooker makes it easy. Just toss the chicken, seasonings, and salsa in your crockpot. Then, at dinnertime, you just have to get the rice and toppings ready.
• Make the way you like it. With different components to choose from, it’s a meal that is both fun and makes everyone happy. In my case, I can load it up with lots of veggies. My big guy will extra cheese and avoid tomatoes. The younger one usually skips anything mushy. And my husband is known to double up the meat.
• Suits any diet. For the most part, this is a naturally gluten free meal, but you definitely have options to make it dairy free, low carb, paleo-friendly, and even skip the chicken for those who prefer a plant-based meal.
• Meal prep lunch or plan a party. Since you can make it ahead or make it in bulk, you have so many ways to serve it. Package it up in portions to have grab-and-go lunches for the week. Or prepare a big buffet of bases and toppings for a fun meal with a big gathering of friends and family.

Keep reading for all of my suggestions to customize these versatile chicken burrito bowls for different tastes, dietary needs, and occasions.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need to make the crockpot Mexican chicken that tops the rice in these burrito bowls. Then we will get into bases and toppings. You can find the full amounts and detailed instructions in the recipe card further down in the post.

• Chicken. I like to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you can also combine it with thighs if you like to have some dark meat.
• Spices. A combination of chili powder and cumin adds smokiness and a little spice. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper too.
• Salsa. Feel free to use your favorite brand.
• Black beans. Drain and rinse the beans from the can. You can omit these if you want to make low carb burrito bowls.

Burrito Bowl Toppings

It’s the fixings that allow you to get creative and customize your bowl just the way you like it. Try any or all of these options:

• Shredded Cheese. Sharp cheddar is usually my choice, but you can also go with easy-melting Monterey Jack or add a little kick with Pepper Jack. Or use a combination of cheeses. Skip the cheese or use a vegan option for dairy free burrito bowls.
• Salsa. You can use the same salsa you used to make the chicken, just be sure to grab an extra jar. Or you can make your own, and even change it up with something different like Mango Avocado Salsa.
• Avocado. This adds a lovely bit of rich creaminess. Chopped avocado is great, Avocado Crema adds something creamy, or simply get your favorite store-bought or homemade guacamole.
• Sour cream. Sour cream or even Mexican crema helps to cool off the spice. You can also substitute it with plain Greek yogurt.
• Veggies. Shredded lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, and jalapeno slices are classic. But maybe you want to get creative by adding some Chili Lime Roasted Sweet Potato Slices or other roasted veggies.
• Corn. Corn adds a nice little pop to your chicken burrito bowls. You can drain a can of corn, thaw frozen kernels, or cut raw kernels off the cob. You can even make a batch of Chili Lime Corn for an extra burst of flavor.
• Chips. For a bit of crunch, crush tortilla chips or buy a bag of tortilla strips. You can also make keto tortilla chips or even chicharrones (pork rinds).
• Extras. A sprinkle of cilantro can add a little freshness and a squeeze of lime gives the chicken burrito bowls a little zing.

Make it a Meal

While this chicken burrito bowl recipe is truly a meal on its own, maybe you want to make it for a Cinco de Mayo celebration or build a Tex-Mex buffet for a party. In that case, add some of these to your menu:

• Start with appetizers. This easy Mexican Cheese Dip is always a crowd-pleaser, or you can also make a big tray of Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos.
• Add a side. It never hurts to add more veggies like Pepper Jack Cauliflower Tots or a salad with Jalapeno Ranch or Creamy Southwestern Dressing.
• Serve some drinks. A Mexican meal is wonderful with Grapefruit Margaritas or a pitcher of Sangria.
• Don’t forget dessert. Wrapping it up with something sweet is a goo ideas, especially if you have guests. So try sweet and spicy Flourless Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies or flaky and creamy Gluten Free Sopapilla Cheesecake.

More Mexican Recipes

• Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Skillet
• Chilaquiles Rojos
• Mexican Hot Dog Taquitos
• Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
• Breakfast Tostadas
• Fish Stick Tacos