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EASY Crockpot Chicken Bowls with Yellow Rice

Tender slow cooker chicken served over seasoned yellow rice.
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Prep Time 14 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine Tex-Mex Inspired

Ingredients
  

Crockpot Chicken

  • 1 pound chicken breasts
  • 8 ounces simmer sauce or enchilada sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 –2 tablespoons water
  • Chipotle powder to taste
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Yellow Rice

  • 1 cup white rice
  • 1½ cups water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon turmeric

Cilantro Pesto

  • 1½ cups cilantro leaves
  • ½ jalapeño seeds removed
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • ¼ cup olive oil or avocado oil
  • ½ cup roasted salted pistachios

Bowl Toppings

  • Pickled onions
  • Sour cream
  • Salsa
  • Mixed salad greens

Instructions
 

Step 1: Slow Cook the Chicken

  • Place the chicken breasts into your slow cooker and pour the simmer or enchilada sauce over the top. Cook on High for 2½ to 3 hours until tender.
  • Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks.
  • Mix the cornstarch with water to make a slurry, stir it into the sauce, and cook for another 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with chipotle powder, salt, and pepper to taste.

Step 2: Make the Yellow Rice

  • Rinse the rice thoroughly.
  • Combine rice, water, butter, salt, chili powder, and turmeric in a saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and adjust seasoning.

Step 3: Blend the Cilantro Pesto

  • Add cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, oil, and pistachios to a food processor.
  • Blend until mostly smooth while leaving a little texture. Add a splash of water if you'd like a thinner consistency.

Step 4: Assemble the Crockpot Chicken Bowls

  • Fill each bowl with yellow rice, a generous serving of Crockpot Chicken Bowls, salad greens, pickled onions, and cilantro pesto. Finish with sour cream or salsa if desired.

Notes

  • Any favorite simmer sauce or enchilada sauce works well.
  • Avocado slices make an excellent addition.
  • Serve with tortilla chips for extra crunch.
  • Fresh lime wedges brighten every serving.
  • Extra cilantro pesto also tastes fantastic on tacos, wraps, and grilled vegetables.