Slow Cooker Cowboy Chicken & Beans

Slow Cooker Cowboy Chicken & Beans is a fantastic “dump-and-go” recipe. It’s smoky, slightly sweet, and packed with protein — perfect for busy weeknights. You can serve it over rice, stuffed into baked potatoes, or rolled up in tortillas.

Ingredients

- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

- 1 can (15 oz) black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans or kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 cup frozen or canned sweet corn
- ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
- ½ cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1.Combine the base :

Add the rinsed black beans, pinto beans, diced tomatoes (with their juices), and corn into the bottom of your slow cooker. Stir them together so they are evenly mixed.

2.Add the chicken and season :

Place the chicken breasts on top of the bean and corn mixture. Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper evenly over the chicken.

3.Add liquids :

Pour the BBQ sauce and chicken broth over the seasoned chicken.

4.Cook :Low for 6-8 hours or High for 3-4 hours.

Cover the slow cooker. Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, or on High for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender enough to pull apart easily.

5.Shred the chicken :

Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat.

6.Mix and serve :

Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir everything together to coat the chicken in the sauce and juices. Let it sit on the “Warm” setting for about 5 minutes to absorb the flavors before serving.

Serving Ideas

This dish is incredibly versatile. Here are a few of the best ways to serve it:

- Over grains: Spoon it over a bed of white rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
- As a filling: Use it to stuff burritos, tacos, or enchiladas.
- Loaded potatoes: Spoon the mixture over baked sweet potatoes or regular russet potatoes, topped with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream.