Slow Cooker Bbq Chipotle Chicken Burritos Recipe

The Sizzling Slow Cooker BBQ Chipotle Chicken Burritos Recipe

Crafting these mouthwatering slow cooker bbq chipotle chicken burritos will transport your taste buds to flavor paradise.

Smoky spices and tender meat create a culinary adventure that breaks free from ordinary meal routines.

Each bite promises a delightful explosion of southwestern-inspired goodness.

Bold chipotle notes dance with sweet barbecue undertones, promising a meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Minimal prep work means maximum enjoyment for busy home cooks seeking delicious shortcuts.

Simple ingredients combine to deliver restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chipotle Chicken Burritos

  • Craft Flavor-Packed Meal: Blend of chipotle, orange juice, and molasses creates a mouthwatering sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into a taste explosion.
  • Simplify Cooking Process: Slow cooker method allows hands-off preparation, letting the appliance do all the hard work while you enjoy your day.
  • Customize Your Feast: Flexible recipe lets you mix and match toppings like avocado, cheese, and sour cream to suit individual preferences and dietary needs.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Solution: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend meals that satisfy both kids and adults with its bold, hearty flavors.

Ingredients to Make BBQ Chipotle Chicken Burritos

Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: The main protein source that becomes tender and flavorful when slow-cooked in the barbecue sauce.
  • Black Beans, Pinto Beans: Protein-rich additions that provide extra texture and nutrition to the burritos.
Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Onion: Adds depth and aromatic base to the barbecue sauce.
  • Tomato Paste: Provides rich, concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
  • Chipotle Peppers, Adobo Sauce: Delivers smoky, spicy flavor that defines the dish's chipotle character.
  • Garlic: Contributes intense, pungent flavor to the sauce.
  • Orange Juice: Adds a subtle citrus brightness to balance the sauce.
  • Light Brown Sugar: Brings sweetness and helps caramelize the sauce.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds umami and depth to the overall flavor profile.
  • Molasses: Provides rich, deep sweetness and helps create a complex sauce.
Burrito Components:
  • Tortillas: Soft wraps that hold the filling together.
  • Cheese: Adds creamy richness to the burrito.
  • Avocado Slices: Provides creamy texture and fresh flavor.
  • Guacamole, Tomatoes, Onions, Sour Cream: Optional toppings for additional flavor and freshness.

How to Prepare Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos

Step 1: Prepare Flavor-Packed Sauce

Grab your blender and toss in all the sauce ingredients:
  • Onion
  • Tomato paste
  • Chipotle peppers
  • Adobo sauce
  • Garlic
  • Orange juice
  • Light brown sugar
  • Soy sauce
  • Molasses

Blend everything until silky smooth, then pour the vibrant mixture directly into your slow cooker.

Step 2: Cook Tender Chicken

Place chicken breasts into the sauce-filled slow cooker.

Set to high and cook for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes fork-tender. About an hour before finishing, add your beans:
  • Black beans
  • Pinto beans

Step 3: Shred and Soak Chicken

Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred using a stand mixer or two forks.

Return shredded chicken back into the sauce. Let it simmer for an additional 20 minutes to absorb all those incredible flavors.

Season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Step 4: Assemble Mouthwatering Burritos

Warm your tortillas and create delicious bundles by adding:
  • Cooked rice
  • Shredded chicken
  • Cheese
  • Avocado slices

Roll tightly and serve with classic toppings like guacamole, fresh tomatoes, diced onions, and a dollop of sour cream.

Tips to Nail BBQ Chipotle Chicken Burritos

  • Enhance flavor by blending chipotle peppers and adobo sauce thoroughly for a rich, smoky base that infuses the chicken with deep, complex taste.
  • Prevent mushy beans by adding them later in the cooking process, ensuring they maintain their texture and integrity in the burrito filling.
  • Maximize tenderness by using a stand mixer or two forks to shred chicken, allowing it to absorb more sauce and create a more succulent texture.
  • Customize burritos with fresh toppings like guacamole, diced tomatoes, and sour cream to add brightness and additional layers of flavor.
  • Save time by preparing the sauce and chicken in advance, making weeknight dinner assembly quick and easy for busy families.

Variations to Refresh BBQ Chipotle Burritos

  • Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu, tempeh, or jackfruit for a plant-based version that maintains the rich BBQ chipotle flavor profile.
  • Spicy Seafood Edition: Substitute chicken with shredded white fish like cod or tilapia, adjusting cooking time to prevent overcooking and maintain tender texture.
  • Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Option: Skip tortillas and serve the BBQ chipotle mixture in large lettuce leaves for a gluten-free, carbohydrate-reduced meal that's light and fresh.
  • Instant Pot Quick Version: Transform the slow cooker recipe into a pressure cooker method, reducing total cooking time to approximately 25-30 minutes while preserving the same robust flavors.

Pairings That Match BBQ Chipotle Chicken Burritos

  • Grab a crisp Corona or Modelo Especial to cut through the rich, smoky chipotle flavors and refresh your palate between bites.
  • Mix fresh lime juice, tequila, and a touch of orange liqueur to echo the orange juice in the chicken's marinade and balance the spicy notes.
  • Create a crunchy side salad with shredded cabbage, lime juice, and cilantro to provide a cool, tangy contrast to the warm, spicy chicken burrito.
  • Prepare a quick side of charred corn, red onions, and jalapeños to add a sweet and spicy element that complements the chipotle chicken's robust flavor profile.

Storage Guidelines for Chicken Burritos

  • Refrigerator Storage: Transfer leftover chicken and burrito filling to an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep tortillas separately wrapped in plastic to maintain freshness.
  • Freezer Storage: Pack cooled chicken mixture in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, removing excess air. Label with date and contents. Frozen burritos will last up to 3 months when properly sealed.
  • Microwave Reheating: Place individual burrito portions on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature midway to ensure even warming.
  • Oven Reheating: Wrap burritos in aluminum foil, place on baking sheet, and warm at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

FAQs

  • What ingredients give this BBQ Chipotle Chicken its unique flavor?

The blend of chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and molasses creates a complex, sweet-spicy flavor profile that makes the chicken rich and tangy.

  • Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work perfectly in this recipe. They tend to be more tender and flavorful, and will absorb the BBQ sauce beautifully while maintaining moisture during slow cooking.

  • Is this recipe spicy?

The chipotle peppers add a moderate heat level. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce the number of peppers or remove the seeds to lower the heat intensity. For more heat, add extra chipotle peppers.

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Slow Cooker Bbq Chipotle Chicken Burritos Recipe

Slow Cooker Bbq Chipotle Chicken Burritos Recipe


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4.6 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Chipotle bbq chicken burritos emerge as a mouthwatering slow cooker delight from Mexican cuisine. Spicy, tender meat wrapped in warm tortillas delivers a flavor-packed meal you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 6 to 8 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, plus 1 tablespoons of sauce
  • 8 flour tortillas, burrito-sized
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 3 cups Spanish rice
  • 2 cups Mexican Blend cheese, shredded
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 avocados, sliced
  • 1/3 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • guacamole
  • tomatoes, chopped
  • red onion, diced
  • sour cream

Instructions

  1. Craft a robust barbecue chipotle sauce by combining onion, tomato paste, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and molasses in a blender. Pulse until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
  2. Transfer the blended sauce into the slow cooker, then nestle chicken breasts within the liquid. Set slow cooker to high and allow to simmer for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes tender and easily separable.
  3. Approximately 1 hour before completion, gently incorporate black and pinto beans into the cooking liquid to prevent excessive softening.
  4. Extract chicken from the slow cooker and utilize a stand mixer or two forks to meticulously shred the meat. Return shredded chicken to the sauce and permit an additional 20-minute infusion for maximum flavor absorption.
  5. Season the chicken mixture with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
  6. Warm tortillas and construct burritos by layering rice, seasoned chicken, melted cheese, and creamy avocado slices. Roll tightly to encase the filling securely.
  7. Serve immediately, accompanied by fresh guacamole, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, and a dollop of cool sour cream.

Notes

  • Select firm, boneless chicken breasts for even cooking and easy shredding in the slow cooker.
  • Use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce sparingly to control the heat level and adjust spiciness according to personal preference.
  • Consider adding fresh cilantro or lime juice at the end for a bright, zesty flavor that complements the rich BBQ sauce.
  • Substitute chicken with plant-based alternatives like jackfruit or tofu for a vegetarian version, ensuring similar cooking times and seasoning adjustments.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 503 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 620 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 9 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.


Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.

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