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A new go-to weeknight dinner – Crockpot White Chicken Chili Burrito Bowls. Seasoned chicken slow cooked with onions, poblano peppers, and spicy salsa verde. Served up bowl style, just as you desire, with cilantro-lime rice, lettuce, lots of cheese, avocado, sour cream, and plenty of salty tortilla chips, plus extra salsa. These colorful chicken bowls are the simplest dinner to make and full of wonderful Mexican flavors. A fun any-night-of-the-week dinner that everyone will enjoy.
When I set out to make new recipes to share with you all, I have a few things in mind that I want to get out of the recipe. It varies from recipe, to recipe, but one constant is to create simple, delicious, and colorful weeknight meals. We’re all busy, so my main goal is for everyone to enjoy a homemade dinner, even on the busiest nights of the year.
Sometimes I nail it and a new recipe is super simple, super colorful, and totally delicious. Other times the recipe may check off 1 or 2 of those boxes. When a recipe does check off all the boxes I have floating around in my head, I know it’s a keeper.
I just finished writing the recipe for these burrito bowls. And while it didn’t check off all of my boxes, it sure checks off the simple and easy box.
Without a doubt, this is my simplest recipe of the week. It’s one of those amazing crockpot dinners that you just dump everything in, turn the crockpot on, walk away, and then come home to dinner.
You’ll have to make a side of rice and gather all your toppings, so I guess there are those “extras”. But that’s only minutes of prep and the outcome is so worth it.
These colorful Mexican-inspired bowls are so delicious, yet so simple. I know you’re going to love them.
Here are the details
Before I dive in, you can make these bowls with the crockpot, instant pot, or simply on the stove. However, I do love the crockpot for this recipe.
The ingredients are as follows: chicken, onion, poblano peppers, a mix of seasonings, and then jarred salsa verde. Dump this all into your crockpot and cook, nothing fancy. No searing, broiling, or anything.
Next, shred the chicken, which by this time should easily fall apart. Mix in white beans or pinto beans, cheddar cheese, and cilantro. That’s all.
The most time-consuming element of these bowls is gathering up all of the toppings. Which I will admit can take a few minutes, since we all love a bounty of burrito bowl toppings.
But that’s the beauty of a bowl-style recipe, you can build your own!
I serve the chicken over bowls of buttered cilantro rice, which I share the recipe for in the notes. Then plenty of toppings.
I like to arrange the burritos like this. First the rice, then spoon over the chicken, peppers, beans, and sauce from the crockpot. From here, I top with cheese so that the hot chicken will melt the cheese (YUM). Next add lettuce, lightly mashed avocado, cilantro, green onions, jalapeños, and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
Add salsa over top along with chips on the side…all the delicious important things!
The final verdict from the family, specifically Creighton, is that these bowls need to be on repeat. He especially loved the saucy salsa verde chicken, which really is the heart of the recipe.
I love a little extra salsa verde sauce!
And guys, that’s pretty much it for this one. Simple as can be, but so delish. Think a little spicy, a touch creamy, filled with chicken, peppers, cheese, and all those yummy toppings. I love a simple January dinner when the days are busy and the nights are long and cold!
Looking for other fall dinners with a little kick? Here are a few ideas:
Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey and White Bean Chili
Healthy Slow Cooker Chipotle Bean Chili
One Skillet Saucy Chicken Tortilla Enchilada Rice Bake
Healthy Chipotle Chicken Sweet Potato Skins
Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup with Salty Lime Chips
Lastly, if you make these Crockpot White Chicken Chili Burrito Bowls be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite
Crockpot White Chicken Chili Burrito Bowls
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 470 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 cups salsa verde
- 1 can white beans, drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1-2 jalapeños or serrano peppers, sliced
- 4 cups cooked rice
- shredded lettuce, avocado, green onion, and yogurt/sour cream, for serving
- 1-2 cups favorite salsa
- lime zest and juice
- tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
- 1. In the bowl of your crockpot, combine the chicken, onion, peppers, cumin, chili powder and paprika. Season well with salt and pepper. Pour over the salsa verde. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.2. Lightly shred the chicken. Stir in the beans, cheddar cheese, and cilantro. Cook until the cheese melts, 5 minutes. 3. Serve the chicken and sauce over bowls of rice. Top, as desired, with lettuce, yogurt/sour cream, cheese, avocado, cilantro, jalapeños, and green onions. Drizzle over the salsa. Zest lime over each bowl. Eat and enjoy with plenty of chips on the side.
Instant Pot
- 1. In the bowl of your instant pot, combine the chicken, peppers, cumin, chili powder and paprika. Season well with salt and pepper. Pour over the salsa verde. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 8-12 minutes. 2. Finish as directed above.
Stove
- 1. In large pot, combine the chicken, peppers, cumin, chili powder and paprika. Season well with salt and pepper. Pour over the salsa verde. Set over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stir, adding olive oil if needed. Reduce the heat to low. Simmer 20 minutes, until the chicken shreds. 2. Finish as directed above.
Notes
Cilantro Rice: Combine 1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk and 1/2 cup water in a medium pot. Bring to a low boil. Add 1 cup white rice and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, cover, then turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook 10 minutes on low, then turn the heat off completely and let the rice sit, covered for another 15-20 minutes (don’t take any peeks inside!). Remove the lid and add a pat of butter and 1/3 cup chopped cilantro. Fluff the rice with a fork.
Oh my goodness was this good. Even my kids said to put this in our meal rotation. Since I used the crockpot, I used thighs. Only subs I did was using 1 poblano and 1 red bell, since that’s what I had. I added the beans while cooking, because I didn’t read the part to add at the end lol. I squeezed half a lime in before serving. And pickled jalapeños (personal preference, so yummy). This was amazing. Everyone was raving at first bite!
Hey Cat,
Happy Monday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad it turned out well for you:)
Tieghan, I made this dinner for my daughter and I. Due to our schedules, I gave her instructions on how to assemble her bowl after I cooked it all and then I had to leave. When I got back home later that evening, there was a note on the counter that said “amazing dinner mom”! We both loved it! The flavors were amazing! And easy enough to make during the work week! Another Half Baked Harvest favorite of ours! Thank you!
Hey Cheryl,
Happy Sunday!!💕 Thanks so much for trying this recipe out and sharing your feedback, so glad it was a hit! xx
Do you leave out the onion if doing this in the instant pot? It’s not included in that recipe. Thanks!
Hi Boris,
You will add the onion in step 1. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
I was hesitant with this recipe and I was so pleased with the result. So much flavor. The whole family enjoyed it. I added avacado and sour cream as my toppings.
Hey Kelly,
Amazing!! So glad to hear everyone enjoyed this dish and thanks so much for trying it out! xx
This is delicious! Perfect for a cold Sunday night. Very filling and tasty. Easy to prepare too.
Thanks so much Sue!! So glad to hear this dish turned out well for you:) xT
I’ve made quite a few of your recipes, but as an avid Chipotle bowl consumer when in a rush, this is my new hands down favorite. I ate it similarly to how I would one of my go-to bowls…with brown rice and lettuce but topped with just a few additional jalapeños! When I’m more hungry, I’ll add avocado for the “guac is extra” feeling and it’s perfect !
Hey Lauren,
Happy Friday!😁 Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx
Can the chicken be put in the crockpot frozen? Thanks!
Hi there,
I always like to thaw my chicken first:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Family favorite and super easy! We used jalapeños to reduce the spice for our toddlers.
Hey Rachel,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and sharing your comment, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
EXCELLENT!!! Definitely recommend! I made this in the Instant Pot as written. Whole family loved it!! Made some homemade tortillas to eat with. So good. Super easy to make. Will be making again and again. Thanks as always for sharing! 🙂
Hey Rhonda,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and sharing your comment, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
I made this today. It is sooo good! Definately will fix it again. Thank you for sharing such delicious recipes. 😊
Hey Diane,
Amazing!! Love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, thank you so much for making it and your comment! xx
So easy and so delicious. This tastes like the inside of the pollo fundido from our favorite Mexican restaurant. Will definitely make again.
Hey Dawn,
Happy Monday!! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well! xT
I have been wanting to make this all weekend, and finally got to it today! Happy Monday! It is so simple and easy. The only thing I did differently was I didn’t use the poblano peppers. I had a bunch of jalapeños to use up and some green peppers I had already chopped that I didnt want to waste. So I threw in 2 whole jalapeños sliced and about 3/4 of a green pepper. When finished I put over plain rice and then all the topping. I even figured out how to make homemade tortilla chips (couldn’t find the recipe but I remembered a story you posted about it and figured it out). All of it went together perfectly. And my husband who never gives compliments said immediately, “This is pretty tasty!” So thanks for sharing your delicious recipes. I own all your cook books! We love them!
Hey Kirsten,
Happy Monday!! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well! xT
This simple recipe is absolutely perfect to build your own burrito, taco, salad or bowl! I followed it closely except skipping on the rice.
Perfect Game Day meal!
Hey Tina,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe was tasty and thanks a lot for trying it out! xT
I made this recipe exactly as written and it is fantastic. I put the onion in at the beginning also. I could have eaten the rice on its own and I don’t usually make or like rice. Thank you for posting this recipe! Can’t recommend it enough.
Hey Courtney,
Happy Sunday!😃 Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, I am so glad it turned out well for you! xx
I must be missing it somehow, but does the yellow onion go in when the chicken does? 🙂 Excited to try this!
Same! Wondering that as well. I’m assuming I put it in with the chicken and peppers in the beginning but not sure
Made the white chicken chili bowl tonight it was liked by all! Was a nice quick recipe to make using the instant pot! Definitely will be making it again.
Hey Kari,
Happy Sunday!😃 Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, I am so glad it turned out well for you! xx
Yes, you can add in step 1:)
I have the same question about the onion
Hi Katie,
The onion is added in step 1:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Was just coming to commenta to see if anyone else had questions about the onion! 😂 i guess i will add just before chicken
Hi Catherine,
The onion is going to be added in step 1. I hope you love this recipe! xx
Hey Amy,
You’re going to add the onion in step 1. Please let me know if I can help in any other way, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Can I use jalapeño peppers instead of pablano peppers? I feel like I never see those in my grocery store!
Hey Megan,
Sure, that will work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx