Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken Casserole

📝Shopping list

To make this southwest crock pot chicken dish you will need:

• chicken breasts boneless, skinless 
• chicken broth
• salsa jarred or fresh
• corn drained
• black beans 
• onion 
• garlic
• chili powder
• cumin
• paprika
• microwaveable rice I like cilantro lime rice for this recipe
• colby Jack cheese shredded
• fresh cilantro optional garnish

🔪Instructions

This great recipe involves just a few simple steps:

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Cooking

• 🫘 Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts into greased slow cooker
• 🫘 Add in all remaining ingredients, other than rice and cheese, and stir to combine
• 🫘 After cooking time, remove chicken pieces from slow cooker
• 🫘 Use two forks to shred chicken
• 🫘 Stir shredded chicken and rice into contents in slow cooker
• 🫘 Cover and cook an additional 15 minutes or so until rice is soft and warm
• 🫘 Top with cheese.  Cover and cook again until all cheese is melted and enjoy!!

🍽Serving suggestions

• This southwest chicken casserole is great just as it is.  We love to serve it alongside some delicious cornbread casserole.  
• Another great way to enjoy the southwest flavor of this slow cooker recipe is scooped up with tortilla chips.  
• To vary it up, try serving in soft or hard-sided taco shells.  
• Make slow cooker southwest chicken bowls. Combine this recipe in a bowl with avocado slices, red pepper slices, lime wedges, and a dollop of sour cream.  
• Top with chopped green onion and sliced black olives for a different flavor profile. 

🔁Substitutions

• Any cooked rice can be used in place of microwaveable rice.   This is also a great way to use leftover take-out rice! 
• I generally use white rice for this dish, but brown rice is delicious as well.
• Use pinto beans or kidney beans in place of black beans.
• For a more intense flavor, add in a can of chopped green chiles and red pepper flakes.  
• Use spicy salsa for an extra kick.

😉Hints & hacks

1. I cook tons of rice and freeze it in recipe-sized portions.  This way I always have some on hand.  
2. Chicken is considered safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165℉ 
3. Slow cooker liners are an optional but helpful hack whenever using a crockpot. They allow you to cook with little to no cleanup. I like to buy mine in bulk for a better per-piece price. 
4. Southwest chicken casserole is a delicious meal for meal prepping in advance.  Just add together all ingredients, other than cheese and rice. Store in a zip-top bag overnight.  When you are ready, toss it into your crockpot and go.
5. In the market for a new slow cooker?  I love mine!
6. Always double-check that your slow cooker is on and plugged in!!! Coming home to a cold slow cooker is the worst! 😕