Monday is here again?? That was fast.
I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. I had a great time with friends and family in Georgia for Baby D’s first shower (details on Thursday’s post). It was busy, exciting and I didn’t black out once 😉
But I got home late afternoon yesterday, went out to eat with my baby daddy to wish him a happy pre-father’s day and crashed hard last night. That leaves me totally unprepared for this week’s menu.
I figured that with it being summer and all, maybe some of you had the same experience of a busy weekend, so I thought I’d share an easy meal to make when you don’t have time to cook! It’s a set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker method that I tried out last week and it worked brilliantly!
Slow Cooker Burrito Bowls
- Green pepper
- Onion
- Chicken breasts
- salsa
- black beans
- toppings of your choice: plain Greek yogurt, shredded lettuce, cheese, avocado, cilantro, quinoa, brown rice, spinach, etc.
In the morning I loaded up the slow cooker with my sliced onion and pepper as a base layer.
I topped it with two Smart Chicken chicken breasts
and covered them in good, old-fashion Pace salsa.
I set the cooker on low and left it for about 7-8 hours.
When I returned, it looked like this:
Without even removing the chicken from the cooker, I stuck two forks in there and easily pulled it all apart. I removed a spoonful or two of the juice, but the extra liquid is actually pretty handy because it is reabsorbed once you shred the chicken and mix it all together.
Drop the setting to low to keep the mixture warm while you prepare the toppings.
Then, everyone can assemble however they please!
My bowl started with a base of spinach, then I added on black beans, the chicken, peppers and onions, sliced tomato, avocado, some shredded cheese, Greek yogurt and fresh cilantro.
You could always throw this all in a tortilla and have real burritos, too 🙂
Do you put your slow cooker away when the weather warms up?
I don’t! I love using this handy cook tool year-round!
Jen says
June 20, 2011 at 8:02 amYum, that look delicious! I definitely use the slow cooker less often in the summer. But I break it out occasionally for pulled pork. Mmmmm 🙂
blackhuff says
June 20, 2011 at 8:13 amI too love my slow cooker and this looks like a good recipe to try next time. Thanks
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
June 20, 2011 at 8:22 amabsolutely love this idea!!! bookmarked!
Vanessa says
June 20, 2011 at 8:33 amWOW! That just looks delicious. I will definitely be trying this recipe. I just found your blog and I am so glad I did. I can’t wait to read more of your posts! :0)
Brittany says
June 20, 2011 at 3:03 pmI’m glad you found it, too! Thanks! 🙂
Melissa says
June 20, 2011 at 8:34 amI absolutely use my slow cooker in the summer. I actually thought they were meant for summertime so one doesn’t have to heat up the kitchen/house by having the oven on nor do they have to stand over a hot stove cooking. My house is pretty small and not well insulated so keeping the heat outside, I’m all for that.
Laura @ LauraLikesDesign says
June 20, 2011 at 8:54 amWhat a great idea to use the slow cooker during the hot months…I always use it for winter–to let soups and things cook slowly but this is brilliant!
The Teenage Taste says
June 20, 2011 at 9:00 amI love using my slow cooker! This dish looks perfect! I love Mexican food! 😀
Sam says
June 20, 2011 at 9:05 amAwesome. I think I would definitely still use my slow cooker in the summer…this is when we seem to have the least amount of time! This recipe looks fabulous 🙂 bookmarked!
Kelly says
June 20, 2011 at 9:19 amI.Love.My.Slow.Cooker! I make a recipe like that often. I try to use it once a week, it really helps, as we are very busy! Looks yummy 🙂
Brittany says
June 20, 2011 at 3:04 pmI should use it at least once a week, too. At the end of the day, it’s such a nice feeling knowing that dinner cooked itself!
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
June 20, 2011 at 9:28 amI am definitely making this! I love everything about it 🙂
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
June 20, 2011 at 9:42 amThat looks great! I really should use the slow cooker more often!
thehealthyapron says
June 20, 2011 at 9:52 amThis is such a great idea! I usually pack up my slow cooker for the summer but I love that you keep your cooking! I might have to rethink putting mine away!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
June 20, 2011 at 9:57 amI don’t have one. 🙁 I REALLY need to invest in one!
christina says
June 20, 2011 at 10:20 amthat looks sooooooo good. remind me again why i don’t use my slow cooker?!?! EVER!
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
June 20, 2011 at 10:24 amI totally need to start using my slow cooker! That would be SO nice to come home to! 🙂
Maria says
June 20, 2011 at 10:47 amI just made this dish (almost exactly as you did) last weekend. My life is too hectic and crazy to NOT put away my slow cooker in the summer. I also need to learn how to make a cake in that thing….
Katie H says
June 20, 2011 at 11:21 amYou know, I need to bust out our slow cooker. All of our wedding gifts JUST came out of storage so I am excited to use everything (slow cooker included!)
Can’t wait to hear about your shower! 🙂
Corey @ runners cookie says
June 20, 2011 at 12:53 pmAw, your first shower! Can’t wait to hear about it.
We make burrito bowls all the time, but never thought to do them slow cooker style – great idea! So simple and I bet the flavors were great. Your dishes always have such great presentation!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
June 20, 2011 at 1:05 pmThose look incredible! I clearly need to invest in a slow cooker. Of course, right now my eyes (and wallet) are set on an ice cream maker….
Sarah for Real says
June 20, 2011 at 1:24 pmUsing the slow cooker in the summer is such a good idea because it doesn’t heat up the whole dang house like an oven might. I make pulled pork in the slow cooker often but this burrito idea looks good too!
Nicole, RD says
June 20, 2011 at 2:14 pmCrock pots are the best! And this recipe looks perfect! So simple!!!
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray says
June 20, 2011 at 2:57 pmLooks awesome. Easy and healthy–can’t go wrong with that!
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
June 20, 2011 at 4:59 pmLooks easy and yummy! I should definitely invest in a slow cooker!
Brooke Dixon says
June 23, 2011 at 2:40 pmYum, Brittany. Jay will be excited about this delicious dinner! Thanks!