I used to try to think of creative, lovely, or unique recipes to make and share here on the blog. Like this dinner and this dessert…(and those are both really great recipes.)
But somewhere along the way, I decided that maybe you’d benefit more from my showing what we really eat.
Like: All of the time.
So, I decided that I would go ahead and share anything that we eat a lot around here…
Even if it isn’t the healthiest in the world. Or the most unique.
Or the prettiest…
Because let’s face it: Some of the most delicious food isn’t that pretty. (example A ^^^)
When I’ve made something around 8346 times, and everyone is still excited when I tell them I’m making it again? It’s got to be good.
And that is exactly the case with these crockpot chicken burritos.
I make ’em a lot.
And we like ’em a lot.
Did I mention how EASY they are!?
SOOOOOO EASY!?
These are as easy as throwing a bunch of chicken breasts (frozen is fine!) into the crockpot with a jar of salsa, and walking out the door. Like All day long.
Eventually you add a can of black beans, and if you’re feeling really fancy, some corn (frozen is fine!) and you’re done. Give it thirty to sixty minutes to get hot…and serve!
(quick note: You absolutely CAN add the corn and black beans from the start–I have done that many times! I just add them later if I happen to be around.)
This is the meal I make if I know we’re all headed to the beach for the afternoon.
Or if I’m just feeling lazy.
Because when we walk in the door, (or I get up off the couch,) I can toss the condiments all into little bowls. And slap some tortillas on the table, and I say “Pray and eat!”
And we do.
The boys love that it’s a “make your own” kind of meal.
I love that it’s easy.
These really do belong on everyone’s weekly rotation.
Great for guests, sleepovers, and rainy Monday nights. Just announce it is a burrito bar night and they’ll come running!
**One more note: As always, there are countless variations in this recipe. In this particular batch I got really fancy and tossed diced green peppers into the pot, as well as chili powder, cumin and salt and pepper. But that was seriously the first time I have added anything except salsa and black beans. (and no–no one noticed. haha.)
Here’s the printable recipe:
(Note: The amount of each ingredient can vary a lot. This isn’t the most exact recipe. 🙂 I always plan extra for leftovers! You’ll have to figure out what works for your family.)
- CROCKPOT RECIPE:
- 4-5 medium chicken breasts
- 1 12-16 ounce jar of your favorite salsa
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can of corn, or 1-2 cups frozen corn, by taste
- optional: 1 small can diced green peppers, and seasonings (per your personal taste:) 1-2 tsp chili pepper, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. pepper, 1 tsp. cumin,
- Tortillas (flour, whole wheat, corn--your choice)
- CONDIMENTS:
- shredded lettuce
- sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Diced tomatoes
- Tortilla chips
- Place chicken breasts in crock pot. (optional to cut them into smaller pieces before cooking, or at the end.)
- Pour salsa to cover chicken.
- Cook on low 6-8 hours, or on high 3-4 hours. (All crock pots cook a bit differently, so go by your cookers settings.) Make sure chicken is cooked through.
- About an hour before serving, add a can of corn, (or frozen) and a can of black beans, drained. (you can add corn and beans from the beginning as well. Either way turns out fine!)
- If chicken is still in large pieces, use a knife or kitchen scissors to chop or shred into bite-size pieces.
- Place crock pot and all condiments out and let everyone make their own burrito.
- **Use slotted spoon to serve as the crockpot ingredients get really juicy. This is both delicious and messy! 🙂
- ENJOY!
Hope you love them!
And have a great start to your week!
ALOHA!
Monica
PS Need dessert? Try these low-fat oatmeal, banana chocolate chip cookies (they’ve been one of my biggest recipe hits! :))
My kids and their friends LOVED these! We will be making these often!! Thanks for sharing!
HI Monica,
First wanted to say Aloha from Jackson Hole, with my skiing sisters from Bend, Oregon…I read your post about “Girls Week” and the 10+ REASONS we should do it, so we did… (We normally ski Mt. Bachelor every Thursday morning, and we call ourselves the “Downhill Divas”.) For a change of pace, we decided to ski Jackson Hole as the finale of the ski season. Thanks for giving us the 10+ reasons why we deserve this fun mom’s only week. We are hoping our families are missing us now!
Also, I’m looking for your recipe on the Thai chicken, coconut soup, and I couldn’t find it? Please post it again, because I plan to make it for the divas tonight, after a day of hard skiing.
We’re doing burrito bar later this week ;), great idea for a large crowd.
Thanks Monica, I love your blog!
Cheers, Penny
Penny! You are awesome!! Way to go divas!! Love love love it! (And wish I were there actually–what a blast!)
OK! I think I did take down that Thai chicken coconut soup recipe when I changed my blog over, but the good news is, that it is identical to this coconut chicken curry in my recipe list–except to make it soup I added about four cups of chicken broth. Depending on how thick you like it, you can adjust that, and/or add a bit more coconut milk as well. http://monicaswanson.com/family-favorite-coconut-curry/ I hope that will work for you guys! I think you need to send me a photo of all of you together and I can share it to encourage other women to do the same! aloha!
Monica-For-The-Win!
Five kids + family-run business = Crock-Pot Mama. These are awesome! Ours have black beans, corn, and avocado (of course!) on the home style tortillas. In Texas, good tortillas are easy to come by. Side of Mexican rice, and Mama’s done, done, done. Thank you!
Never thougt to add beans or corn! Excellent idea. But, I can’t believe they could be as awesome as your fish tacos. Those have become a crowd pleaser here in Illinois!
I too make these ALL of the time . Kids love them , husband loves them too. We use left over chicken mixture and make quesadillas later on in the week or freeze chicken if any leftovers 🙂
So excited to try this recipe!
And, your timing is impeccable. Baseball season for my 2 boys starts this week, and I refuse to do fast food!!
With love from Colorado,
Amy
Thanks Monica I do struggle with dinners and you have been helping a great deal. Thanks a million and I am sending you lovely sunshine from Malaysia. With much love Jenny
Thank you Jenny! And Aloha back to Malaysia! (how fun! :)) So happy to hear you enjoy the recipes!
Yum! making this tomorrow for taco Tuesday for sure.
Thanks for sharing!
Lucy
just trying out the banana cake you posted last week? Smells good, but will resist until kids come in from school this afternoon.
Cheers,
Louise (Scotland)