The slow cooker makes this chicken burrito recipe so effortless, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. The chicken becomes so tender, it practically falls apart with a gentle stir, absorbing all those delicious spices and flavors as it simmers away. You’ll get a mouthwatering blend of smoky chipotle, tangy lime, and savory garlic with each bite, while the beans and corn add a burst of sweetness and texture. It’s the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with an irresistible, comforting aroma all day long, making you excited to sit down and dig in. I love serving these burritos with a dollop of creamy guacamole or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top. You can also customize them with whatever toppings you’re craving, like shredded cheese, sour cream, or a bit of salsa for that perfect balance of flavors. The best part? It’s totally up to you how you roll up your burritos—whether you prefer them packed with all the fixings or a simpler, lighter version, it’s your call. That’s the beauty of slow-cooked meals, right? So easy, so satisfying, and a little bit of room for your own creative touch.
Key Ingredients in Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos
This recipe relies on a handful of key ingredients that come together to create an unforgettable flavor experience. Each one plays a vital role in building layers of taste, from the tender chicken to the savory spices. Let’s take a closer look at the magic behind each one.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: The star of the dish! These chicken breasts cook to perfection in the slow cooker, becoming incredibly tender and absorbing all the spices and flavors around them.
- Taco Seasoning: A quick and easy way to pack in a punch of flavor, this seasoning blend brings in zesty, savory notes that perfectly complement the chicken and the other ingredients.
- Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and depth to the slow cooker, helping to keep the chicken juicy while infusing the dish with a savory base flavor.
- Diced Tomatoes: These juicy, tender tomatoes bring a tangy freshness to the dish, cutting through the richness and adding a subtle hint of acidity.
- Diced Green Chilies: A mild kick of heat and a little bit of smokiness, these chilies elevate the flavor profile without overwhelming the dish.
- Frozen Corn: Sweet and crisp, corn adds texture and a pop of natural sweetness, balancing out the savory flavors in the burritos.
- Black Beans: A hearty and nutritious addition, black beans bring a creamy texture and earthiness that enhances the overall satisfaction of the meal.
- Onion: A little diced onion adds a touch of sweetness and savory depth, caramelizing slightly as it cooks with the chicken for a richer flavor.
- Garlic: The aromatic flavor of garlic infuses the entire dish, giving it that irresistible savory base that makes everything taste even better.
- Ground Cumin: Earthy and slightly smoky, cumin is the perfect spice to add a warm, rich flavor to the chicken, tying all the seasonings together.
- Chili Powder: This adds a mild heat and a subtle warmth to the burritos, bringing a deeper, slightly sweet spice that complements the cumin.
- Paprika: A touch of smokiness and color, paprika helps to round out the spices and adds a nice visual appeal to the finished dish.
- Flour Tortillas: Soft and warm, these tortillas are the perfect vehicle for wrapping up all the flavorful fillings. Their mild flavor allows the chicken and toppings to shine.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: The melty, creamy cheese adds richness and a satisfying, gooey texture, melting perfectly into the warm filling.
- Sour Cream: The cool and creamy sour cream provides a lovely contrast to the warm, spicy burrito filling, adding a tangy note that balances out the flavors beautifully.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos
- STEP 1: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. This is the foundation for your burritos! Lay the chicken breasts flat, making sure they’re not overcrowded, so they cook evenly.
- STEP 2: Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the chicken breasts. Generously coat the chicken with the taco seasoning for that zesty, flavorful base. Don’t be afraid to add extra seasoning if you love a little extra spice!
- STEP 3: Pour the chicken broth over the chicken breasts and seasoning in the slow cooker. The chicken broth adds moisture and helps all the flavors meld together while cooking. Pour it evenly over the chicken and seasoning to ensure everything is coated.
- STEP 4: Add the diced tomatoes (with juice) into the slow cooker. The juicy tomatoes bring a tangy and fresh flavor to the dish, so make sure you get all that delicious tomato juice in there as well for extra depth.
- STEP 5: Stir in the diced green chilies with the rest of the ingredients in the slow cooker. These chilies give the dish a mild heat and smoky flavor without being overwhelming. Just stir them in with everything else.
- STEP 6: Add the frozen corn to the slow cooker. Frozen corn will add natural sweetness and texture to the dish. You don’t need to thaw it first; just toss it in directly from the freezer.
- STEP 7: Pour in the black beans after draining and rinsing them. Make sure the black beans are well-drained and rinsed to get rid of any excess sodium. Stir them in with the rest of the ingredients.
- STEP 8: Place the diced onion into the slow cooker. The onions will cook down beautifully, adding a lovely savory sweetness that enhances all the flavors in the dish.
- STEP 9: Add the minced garlic to the slow cooker. Garlic brings that irresistible aroma and deep, savory flavor that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing. Add it in and stir it around.
- STEP 10: Sprinkle the ground cumin over the mixture in the slow cooker. Cumin’s earthy, smoky flavor ties everything together. Don’t skip this step—it’s what gives the burritos that warm, comforting flavor.
- STEP 11: Add the chili powder to the slow cooker. Chili powder adds a touch of mild heat and sweetness to the mix, complementing the cumin perfectly.
- STEP 12: Sprinkle the paprika over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Paprika adds a subtle smokiness and vibrant color, rounding out the flavors and making everything look gorgeous once it’s done.
- STEP 13: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. This step is important to lock in all that moisture and flavor. You want everything to cook evenly and tenderize the chicken perfectly.
- STEP 14: Cook the ingredients on low for about 6 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked and shreds easily with a fork. Slow cook the mixture for about 6 hours on low heat. The chicken will become fork-tender and easy to shred.
- STEP 15: After cooking, use two forks to shred the chicken in the slow cooker, stirring the chicken into the other ingredients. Once the chicken is done, use two forks to shred it right in the slow cooker. Mix the chicken with all the delicious ingredients to create a flavorful filling for your burritos.
- STEP 16: Warm the flour tortillas in the microwave or on a skillet, depending on your preference. You can warm your tortillas in the microwave for a quick fix or heat them on a skillet for a slightly crispy edge—either way, they’ll be perfect for wrapping up the filling.
- STEP 17: Spoon the shredded chicken mixture into the center of each tortilla. Spoon a generous amount of the tender, flavorful chicken mixture into the center of each tortilla, making sure not to overstuff.
- STEP 18: Top the chicken mixture with shredded cheddar cheese. Add a handful of shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken. As it melts, it’ll create that perfect gooey, cheesy texture that’s just irresistible.
- STEP 19: Add a spoonful of sour cream on top of the cheese. Sour cream adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the warmth and spice of the burrito filling, making every bite so satisfying.
- STEP 20: Roll up the tortillas around the filling to create burritos. Carefully roll up the tortillas around the filling, tucking in the sides as you go to keep everything inside. Don’t worry if they’re a little messy—that just means they’re extra tasty!
- STEP 21: Serve the burritos warm and enjoy! Serve the burritos right away, warm and full of flavor. Don’t forget to garnish with a little extra sour cream, salsa, or cilantro if you like. Enjoy every bite!
Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos
- Pair with a Side of Mexican Rice: A simple, fluffy Mexican rice is the perfect sidekick to these burritos. The mild, slightly spiced rice complements the bold flavors of the chicken and adds a satisfying, hearty element to the meal. Top it with a squeeze of lime for a fresh kick.
- Top with Fresh Pico de Gallo: Add a burst of freshness by topping your burrito with homemade pico de gallo. The juicy tomatoes, tangy lime, and zesty cilantro bring a vibrant contrast to the warm, flavorful chicken filling. It’s like a little fiesta of flavor right on top!
- Serve with a Side of Crispy Tortilla Chips and Salsa: Who doesn’t love dipping crispy tortilla chips into a spicy salsa? The crunchy chips are the perfect textural contrast to the soft, warm burritos, and a bowl of tangy salsa is always a hit on the side. It’s a snack that keeps on giving!
How to Store Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos
If you’ve got leftovers (lucky you!), storing them properly will ensure they stay just as delicious as when you first made them. To keep those burritos fresh, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before popping them in an airtight container. This will help prevent them from drying out in the fridge and keep all the flavors locked in. The burritos will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days, so you’ve got a few meals ready to go for the week.
If you’re looking to keep them for a little longer, you can freeze them! Wrap each burrito individually and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to eat, simply pop them in the microwave or heat them in the oven for a quick, tasty meal. They’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months, so you’ve got a convenient stash of homemade burritos for those busy days.
When reheating, it’s best to do it gently. In the microwave, wrap the burrito in a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out, or if you’re using the oven, cover it with foil and heat at a low temperature to ensure it warms up evenly without becoming tough. The goal is to bring that juicy, tender chicken filling back to life and get the cheese all melty again!
Conclusion
There you have it—a super easy, flavorful, and comforting slow cooker chicken burrito recipe that’ll quickly become a staple in your kitchen! From the tender, spice-infused chicken to the creamy, tangy toppings, every bite is a burst of deliciousness. Plus, the slow cooker does most of the work for you, leaving you with more time to relax or enjoy other things while your meal cooks itself to perfection.
These burritos are so versatile—you can make them as simple or as loaded as you like, with whatever toppings and sides make your taste buds sing. And the best part? Leftovers! I don’t know about you, but I always look forward to the next day’s meal just as much as the first round.
I’d love to hear how your burritos turn out! Do you switch up the toppings? Got any fun ideas to make them your own? Or maybe a little question about the recipe? Drop a comment or share your thoughts—I’m here for it! Let’s chat about your burrito-making adventures or any tweaks you want to try. You got this!

Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos
Description
Tender, juicy chicken simmered in a savory blend of spices, tomatoes, and beans, all wrapped in a soft tortilla. Slow-cooked to perfection, these chicken burritos are a comforting, flavor-packed meal that’s easy to make and impossible to resist!
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker.
-
Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the chicken breasts.
-
Pour the chicken broth over the chicken breasts and seasoning in the slow cooker.
-
Add the diced tomatoes (with juice) into the slow cooker.
-
Stir in the diced green chilies with the rest of the ingredients in the slow cooker.
-
Add the frozen corn to the slow cooker.
-
Pour in the black beans after draining and rinsing them.
-
Place the diced onion into the slow cooker.
-
Add the minced garlic to the slow cooker.
-
Sprinkle the ground cumin over the mixture in the slow cooker.
-
Add the chili powder to the slow cooker.
-
Sprinkle the paprika over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
-
Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
-
Cook the ingredients on low for about 6 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked and shreds easily with a fork.
-
After cooking, use two forks to shred the chicken in the slow cooker, stirring the chicken into the other ingredients.
-
Warm the flour tortillas in the microwave or on a skillet, depending on your preference.
-
Spoon the shredded chicken mixture into the center of each tortilla.
-
Top the chicken mixture with shredded cheddar cheese.
-
Add a spoonful of sour cream on top of the cheese.
-
Roll up the tortillas around the filling to create burritos.
-
Serve the burritos warm and enjoy!
Note
- For extra flavor, try marinating the chicken in the taco seasoning and chicken broth for an hour before cooking.
- Feel free to swap the black beans for pinto beans or kidney beans for a different taste.
- Add some chopped jalapenos for an extra spicy kick if you like heat.
- If you prefer a crispier texture, briefly pan-fry the tortillas before rolling them.
- Leftover chicken mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated easily.