Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Taco Rice Recipe
This Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Taco Rice is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender chicken, seasoned rice, melted cheese, and zesty salsa. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it requires minimal prep and delivers a creamy, cheesy taco-inspired dish with vibrant Mexican flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 packet (about 1 oz) taco seasoning
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth or water
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Set aside. Gather all necessary ingredients.
- Add to Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the chicken. Add the rinsed rice and pour in the salsa and chicken broth or water, spreading evenly across the top.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender and creamy. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain heat and moisture.
- Shred Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture in the slow cooker. Cover and let it sit for about 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely and incorporate into the creamy rice and chicken mixture.
- Serve: Stir the cheesy chicken taco rice gently before serving. Optionally, garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content if desired.
- For a spicier dish, add diced jalapeños or hot salsa.
- Substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier texture.
- Do not open the slow cooker frequently during cooking as it can prolong cooking time.
- This dish can be topped with fresh avocado or a squeeze of lime for added freshness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, cheesy chicken rice, taco rice, easy slow cooker dinner, Mexican slow cooker recipe
